In 1905, a seven-year-old girl near New Hurley survived a horrifying attempt on her life.
According to the report, the child’s mother, Mrs. Maria Garrison, had taken her to the barn while her husband was away selling farm produce in the city. Garrison, described as being in poor health and suffering from melancholia, intended to end both her daughter’s life and her own.
But the noose placed around the child’s neck had been badly tied. As the girl struggled, it loosened enough for her to reach the floor and escape. She ran to a neighbor for help, still bearing the marks of the rope, but by the time aid arrived, her mother was dead.
Hanged Child Escapes Death
NEW HURLEY, New York. — Hanging with a rope around her neck, placed there by her mother with the intention of ending both their lives, the seven-year-old daughter of Mrs. Maria Garrison had a remarkable escape from death. Her struggles loosened the noose so that she was able to touch the floor and make good her escape. The woman died before the child could summon aid.
Mrs. Garrison, who was 30 years old, lived with her husband, Henry Garrison, and their little girl on a farm near New Hurley. She had been in frail health for a long time and lately had shown signs of melancholia. It was during her husband’s absence on a journey to the city with farm produce that she made the attempt at murder and suicide.
Taking the child to the barn, she fixed two halters to the beams of the roof and made nooses at the ends of both. Then she seized the little girl, adjusted the rope around her neck and pulled her up in the air, kicking away the chair upon which the child had been standing.
Next she did the same with herself. The knot about the girl’s neck had been clumsily tied and it gave way during her struggles.
When the girl reached the home of a neighbor and gave the alarm, the marks of the rope were visible on her throat, and a few minutes later Mrs. Garrison’s body was found.
Source: The Washington Times. Washington, D.C. October 21, 1905.
