Death of an unknown woman, whose name may have been Agnes Ellsworth, on 9/21/1881.
A Woman Drowned off Davison's Dock.
An unknown woman of about 25 years of age, supposed to be married, and passing herself off in the village under different names, fell off Davison's dock, it is supposed, Wednesday night, and was drowned. The woman came into the dock office about 9 o'clock in the evening to wait for and take the steamer Metropolis to Au Sable, as she said. After a while she arose to go out, stating that she would like to leave her "satchel" there for a few minutes.
The woman had not been absent but a short time before one loud scream was heard by the parties in the dock-office. All hands immediately rushed out upon the dock and commenced search for the woman, but no traces of her could be discovered. Finally, in about 30 minutes after hearing the noise, a dark object was observed floating upon the surface of the water about there rods to the north of the dock, which proved to be the lifeless body of the woman; but why it should float, as usually is not the case until many days after drowning, is a mystery. C. E. Jamison, who was present, disrobed himself, swam out to and brought the body to the side of the dock, when the same was raised out of the water and placed in the warehouse.
Coroner Geo. W. LaChapelle impaneled a jury and held an inquest over the body, yesterday, when a verdict was rendered to the effect that deceased came to her death by accidental drowning.
Several of the ladies of the village took charge of the remains and prepared them for burial. They were interred in the village cemetery this morning, Rev. C. Gibbs officiating. No relatives of the deceased could be found, though telegrams were sent in search of the same. It is supposed however that she had a husband living in Port Huron, as a telegram was received from a man named John Beck, of that place, stating that her husband was there, but that he would have nothing to do with her.
Deceased came to Harrisville from Alpena about ten days ago, and had several times been seen upon our streets in an intoxicated condition. She left orders with the Postmaster to forward to Au Sable any letters that might be received here addressed to "Agnes Gussenhart" or "Agnes Ellsworth."