Hattie Whitten: The Poisonous Mother

Overview

Hattie Livermore Whitten (July 24, 1862 – November 30, 1902) was an American serial killer notorious for the shocking murders of her husband and two daughters in the early 20th century. Her heinous crimes came to light after she was arrested following her daughter's funeral. Unfortunately for justice, Whitten took her own life while in custody, leaving many questions unanswered and a chilling case unsolved.

Quick Facts

• Born: July 24, 1862, Dover, Maine, U.S.
• Died: November 30, 1902 (aged 40), Dexter, Maine, U.S.
• Cause of Death: Suicide by hanging
• Criminal Penalty: N/A (died before trial)
• Victims: 3 (her husband and two daughters)
• Span of Crimes: 1900–1902
• Country: United States
• State: Maine
• Date Apprehended: November 29, 1902

Life and Crimes

Hattie's early life remains largely shrouded in mystery, but it is known that she hailed from a respectable family in Dover, Maine. Born to David and Esther (née Lord) Livermore, Hattie was one of their two daughters. Eventually, she married Harry E. Whitten, and together they had three children: Fannie, Jennie, and Lewis.

The first cloud of suspicion loomed over the Whitten family in 1900 when Harry died unexpectedly under circumstances that many believed were far from natural. The cause was suspected to be poisoning, likely administered by Hattie herself. Following her husband’s death, Hattie’s behavior became increasingly erratic, likely exacerbated by a burgeoning morphine addiction.

By September 1902, the Whittens relocated to Dexter, where Hattie briefly operated a boarding house. The very next month, tragedy struck again. On September 19, 11-year-old Fannie died suddenly—her cause of death was attributed to meningitis. However, many found this diagnosis suspicious, given that Fannie had shown no signs of illness prior to her death. Interestingly, Hattie had taken out an insurance policy on her daughter, collecting $85 after Fannie’s untimely passing.

Exposure, Arrest, and Suicide

Just a month after Fannie's death, Hattie’s remaining children, Jennie and Lewis, began to notice alarming changes in their mother’s mental state. On November 27, 1902, the family was struck by another tragedy: 9-year-old Jennie died suddenly as well, purportedly from heart failure. But authorities were not convinced. Given that Hattie had also insured Jennie for $50, they decided to investigate further.

Coroner George M. Barrows conducted an autopsy on Jennie's body and made a shocking discovery: traces of arsenic and strychnine were found. This evidence led to an immediate arrest warrant for Hattie Whitten, who was apprehended the very next day at her home—just after returning from her daughter’s funeral.

While Hattie was in custody, authorities exhumed Fannie's body for further examination. Though the results of this autopsy were never publicly disclosed, it is widely believed that traces of poison were also discovered in Fannie’s remains. Hattie was formally arraigned for Jennie's murder but pleaded not guilty.

In a twist of fate, she was supposed to be held in custody until her court appearance on Tuesday. Instead, she stayed the night at her son Lewis’s house, sleeping soundly beside her elderly mother. The following day, November 30, Deputy Leslie Curtis, who was overseeing her house arrest, briefly left the premises to tend to his horse. Seizing the opportunity, Hattie fashioned a noose from two towels and hanged herself from the bedpost. When Curtis returned, he found her lifeless body and summoned medical personnel, but it was too late. Hattie Whitten was buried alongside her daughters in the family plot at Evergreen Cemetery in Milo.

Motives and Evidence

After Hattie’s death, various troubling facts came to light, possibly providing insight into her motives. It was revealed that since moving to Dexter, Hattie had been pursued by a local weaver named Surto, to whom she expressed intentions of marrying. However, Surto's reluctance to engage with a woman who had children may have driven Hattie to commit the unthinkable act of filicide.

Further circumstantial evidence pointed toward her guilt. Just a day before Fannie’s death, Hattie was seen purchasing laudanum, arsenic, and castor oil. Intriguingly, while Jennie was out selling wares to buy her mother a Christmas gift, Hattie was observed acquiring the very arsenic and strychnine that would later be used to kill her. Dr. Murphy, who attended to both children, speculated that the poisons were likely ingested in oil form, allowing them to bypass the stomach and head straight into the intestines. In Jennie’s case, Hattie had even sent a postcard calling for the doctor, despite his residence being only half a mile away and accessible by phone.

Conclusion

Hattie Whitten's shocking tale is a grim reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives. With her suicide, the true extent of her crimes may never be fully understood, leaving behind a haunting legacy that continues to intrigue true crime enthusiasts to this day.

Sources

• "A Mother's Suicide". The Daily Mourning Journal and Courier. December 1, 1902.
• "Mother Arrested On Charge Of Killing Her Child, Whose Funeral She Had Just Attended". New-York Tribune. November 30, 1902.
• "For Killing Her Child With Poison". St. Paul Globe. November 30, 1902.
• "Items of Interest section". Shepherdstown Register. December 11, 1902.

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