Jamie Rhodes

Mittie (Walser) Foster was born on August 4, 1875 in North Carolina United States, and died at age 36 years old on August 19, 1911. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Mittie (Walser) Foster.

Mary is the daughter of John Hubbard Walser and Eliza Jane Myers. She was born in Davidson county and is a sister to Malinda Josephine, William Robert (who died at age 15), Susan Edith, Laura Columbus and Mittie Walser. Their father was twice a POW at Point Lookout, MD during the civil war. Mary was admitted to the asylum on 8 Oct 1889, the day of her mother's murder. The accused murderer of her mother was Bob Berrier, estranged husband of Mary's sister, Laura. Bob had reportedly heard that most of the Walser family would be accompanying Mary Ellen on her scheduled admission to the asylum. He went to the family home planning to see his estranged wife and their young daughter, Clara. He met, instead, with his mother-in-law who shut the door in his face. He reportedly responded by shooting her thrice and fleeing. His wife unable to testify against her husband a lynch mob was formed and waited for access. They eventually overwhelmed the sheriff and his men and took Mr. Berrier away to a hanging tree. He was lynched by community members none of whom stood trial. Mary Ellen would remain in care at the asylum for the next 39 years and die just before Christmas of acute multiple neuritis and dementia praecox (schizophrenia).