New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-09
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
MYSTERIOUS Suicide.


ANGULAR CIRCUMSTANCES ATTENDING TIE DEATH
OF MRS. CHARLOTTE A. LUFF, AT LAKE Ho-
PAICONG.
According TO the statements of Edward Lutf,
who lives on the shores OF Lake HOpatcong, in Morris
County New-Jersey. his wife. Charlotte Anne. hanged
herself on Saturday morning August 81 THIS part OF
the story he has changed since its first recital Out
the place Of the suicide he declares to have been IN
the grape arbor Of neighbor, Mrs Brennan, although
NJ arst Mr. Inf stated that the woman was found hang
ing from branch of chestnut tree in front OF church
near the house. He explains that that story was only to
save the feelings of Mrs. Brennan. who thought 1t
would damage her property if It should be known that
woman had hanged herself on the premises.
Mr. Luff was a widOwer with two grown sonE When ne
married his second WIFE who had had two daughters by
q first husband. Toe children have been away from
home Of late years That the husband and wife lived
nhappily together not 20 be doubted or Denied
but Mr. LU says that bis wife vas religious maniac
WHO believed she was doomed to be lost and that ne
was kind to her Others say abused her. He declares
be is glad she is dead He states that on Saturday
morning his wife left the house before he up about
o'clock After she had been gone some time the hus-
band got up and looked for her. but falling in his search
went back to bed. netghbor, Mrs. Brennan
at O'Clock sent H. word that Mrs Luf was hanging In
her grape arbor Mr. Lu wanted assistance to get the
body down. but could get none for Mrs. Brennan did
not want to sec anything more Of the matter than she
was forced TO- Mr.. Luf carried his wifes body home
Then he summoned two neigbOTs, Mr., and Mrs. James
LIST 20 whom he first insisted that Mrs. Luh was wel
but presently showed them her body Hc asked these
nelghbors prepare the body for BURIAL but they re-
fused to do until it had been viewed by coroner 30
MI. Imh performed the Office himself. On Sunday the
coroner gave permission TO bury the body, finding on
the testimony OF the husband and the neighbour Mrs
brennan, that the dead woman had hanged Derself
while in a state OF religious insanity The burial was
the same day. The husband. &c is said. unduly urged
the minister who read the service and the undertaken
who was in charge, be quick and get through WIN
II Alter the funeral Mr.. Lu took several drinks Of
MUNICH al hotel aud declared himself perfectly satisfied
that his wife was dead. She had be said, long been
wanting to XIII herself and he was glad that' At least
she was satisfied.
The husband had failed to inform the dead woman's
two married daughters of her death, and they knew
nothing Of it until some neighbOrs sent them word on
Tuesday after the funeral They live in Newly OK
one daughter Immediately went to Lake Hopatcong'
She believes there has been foul play and wishes an III
VestigatOn be held Mr. Lu1f has cOntradlcted NM
self about many of the particulars Of the death. he
says his wife hated Mrs. Brennan and hanged herseI
in the grape arbOr ont OF spite He adds that he TOOK
the body down himself Now the woman is very heaYy
and he is a weak who, IL would seem could hardly
lift his dead wife.