National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-01-18
ANNE WooDwORTHs FATE,
Another Real LIE tragedy of Rural New
England.

Another Real LIE tragedy of Rural New
England.
FORBIDDEN TO MARRY-A SINGULAR COMPACT
WHAT Mr.. wooDwoRTH SAW FROM THE eARREr
sTAIRs-rHE LETTER THAT WASN'T READ.
NORWICH, CONN, Jan. 17.-Miss Anne Wood
worth, q respected and wealthy resident Of this
place, committed suicide last evening BY hanging
herself in the attic of her house. Her death was
attended and preceded by peculiar circumstances.
She was about forty years old, and almost from
childhood her life had been one Of retirement and
Loneliness. Her mother died when she was less
than ten years old, and she was left, an only
child to the care of her father, Mr.. Joshua Wood
worth. At that time, and for many years there
after, Mr.. Woodwork lived in Q little, low, one
story house on . pleasant, tree-bofdered street,
about mile. from the centre Of Norwich. This
dwelling was surrounded by the smooth, fertile
acres Of Q large farm, and the barns and other
out-buildings were oapacious and handsome, and
evidently the belongings Of prosperous and care
full owner. The shabby house eontrasted queerly
with its surroundings, but Mr.. Woodwork, who
always practiced the severest economy notwith-
standing his ample means, was satisfied with it.
He lived with his child; titled his farm unaided;
Miss Anne as soon as she became old and strong
enough, did all the work Of the household She
grew into
TALL AND BEAUTIFUL GIRL,
and was sought by many suitors. To all OF them,
for many years. she turned q deaf ear, either be-
ing disinclIned to marry or withheld by the OBJ
]ections of her father, who wished her to remain
at home with him. To one Of her admirers, 1t Is
said, she gave her heart, and for long time he
was a frequent visitor at the house. Her father
bitterly opposed the match, though the young
man was of good family and every way eligible
He at length forbade the lover to enter his house.
and made his daughter . close prisoner. She
seldom appeared in public save in company with
her father.
The stern disposition of the latter, together
with the restraints put upon her, produced in her
mind morbid fancies. She accused him Of design
ing to marry again. Parent and daughter were
each watchiul and suspicious of the other, and the
peace of the household was destroyed. At length
they drew up and signed formal agreement the
substance of which was that neither should
marry. After this they lived more happily, but
THEIR RELATIONS
were far from confidential. Miss Woodwork was
charitable and generous, and the property that
she inherited from her mother enabled her to sat
isfy her benevolent impulses Her father OBJ
jected to her slmsgiving, and often drove petit
TONERS from his door.
ABOUT six years ago he was induced by his
handsome. two story dwelling, q few rods from
his old home. The house was provided with
every rural comfort and convenience, but not half
the large rooms could be used by SO small lam
lily. Within the past year or two
MISS wooDwoRTH GREW MORE GLOOMY AND &c
CENTRIC
in her ways. While her father was in the fields
she sat and brooded over her sorrows and disap-
days ago she expressed q wish TO attend the fu-
neral of a neighbor, and her father accompanied
her. She returned home more melancholy and
nervous than ever. While busted in household
affairs she would often start up and hurry to the
window at any sudden noise in the street. On
Friday morning she rose very early She was
opl tara ha
with mt re than ordinary carefulness and cleaned
and busted the house from roof to cellar. After
sat down By 1s and his dsug
ter after removing the dishes and cleaning the
room, retired to her chamber. A few minutes
later there was
THE SOUND OF HEAVY FALL,
but Mr.. Woodworth was not disturbed; he
ture in the rooms above. After a while he lis
tened, and, hearing nothing, went up stairs.
searched for her in vain through every apart
ment Of the second floor. Then he went up the
garnet stairs. Before he had reached the middle
hm she was asI Sy the 5eoE BY small
white cord, scarcely larger and stronger than
piece Of Irvine. 1t was attached to the rafter
floor.
Mr.. Woodwork quickly cut down the body,
but his daughter was dead. In her chamber,
clothes, which had been laid out with character
istfc care and neatness. The undergarments.
seu letter. Closely Wrttsn wSs found
pinned in the mirror, but Mr.. Woodworth, who
was nearly distracted by his loss, sterny refused
tire contents, saying: mo one shall ever read
that unless am obliged to show it."
The last clause Of this letter enjoined her
father to bury her respectfully, very respectfully,
but without display Of any kind. 1t went on:
This is the last time that shall you, but
pray that we shall meet in heaven. You will ind
clothes m IN
Good-by. ANNE WooDwoRTH.
An inquest was held to-day, but the jury were
not allowed to read the mysterious letter.
A singular fact in connection with this suicide
is that a house on the same street, not dozen
rods from Mr.. Woodworth's residence, within
few years has been the scene of two suicides and
one attempted suicide,