The New York herald., 1879-07-29
OF A YOUNG LADY.

MISS JENNIE BRowNELL, OF WHITE PLAINS,
ENDS HER LIFE WITH DRAUGHT OF COR
RosIvE sUBIIMATE-No MOTIVE ASSIGNED
FOR THE DEED.
One of the most mysterious as we'll as one Of the
peculiarly sad of suicide which been
reported for long time past is that of Miss Jennie
Browncll. of White Plains who died Saturday last
from the effects of dose Of corrosive sublimate
which she took. she herself declared in moment
of excitement when not responsible for her actions
mo explanation of the deed could be extorted
from her. and her many friends totally at q
loss to suggest any probable and adequate
cause for her fatal excitement. She only said
that she was tired of life. Miss BrowneI was the
daughter and only child Of the late Captain Browne
United States Navy. She born in Newport.
r. L. seventeen years ago. but had lived the most of
her life in Westchester county where her mother is
related to some of the best known families. ana
where she herself had moved in the pleasantest
oiety during her brief social career She more
than ordinarily attractive. being remarkably hand
some girl well educated and gifted with unusual
flow of spirits and most cheerful disposition. She
was very fond of society. and a welcome guest
at all social festivities III the neighborhood and was
it is said. the recipient of the most pointed atten-
tions from many eligible young men in the county.
So far as is known. however. she never gave the
least encouragement to any of her suitors and was
looked upon as heart-whole.
Captain Brownel died some years ago, leaving
provision for his family beyond the pension which
his widow draws from the Navy Department. 1t
therefore deemed most fitting and fortunate thing
that Mrs Brownell should two wears AGO have
undertaken the charge of Mr.. Daniel Griffin house
hold and the management of the business affairs OF
his small farm. She was sober and estimable
/ matron Of forty-hve, and Mr. Griffin
about eighty years of age. living with his orphan
Brownell lived with her mother in the Griffin house
hold on terms of perfect equality in the family.
regard which did not however in the least assume
the nature of love affair young Griffin being en-
gagged to be married to Miss Lille Abbott, neghbor.
THE HOUSEHOLD.
About two weeks ago Mr.. Daniel Griffin died, leav-
ng the whole OF his large estate his grandson.
lis death, which the first one to which Miss
Brownell had been a witness, shocked her pro-
oundIy, and since that time she had been exceed
pgy nervous and several times startled her friends
y strange expressions without having been
pecally religious, she had been regular attendant
church, but the impression upon her did not seem
be in any way of religious character 1t seemed
merely profound reflection the subject of DEATH
So deeply she affected and had she be-
come that early last week her mother urged her to
visit of her friends at Milton. the Hudson,
which she did, staying two days with them. Just
before leaving. on Thursday. to return home. she
spoke of dress, of which she had the materials say
ing that she did not know that she would ever make
it up very likely she would not live to do it. Her
lmanner strange, and after she left her friends
('wondered what she had meant.
On Friday morning she drove to Portchester viii
Mage and was noticed by those with whom she spoke
TO be in high spirits, joking and laughing after her
usual fashion. In the afternoon, having returned
home, she found very i'll in her room by Mr..
Griffin fdncee, who called her. In reply to her
riend's questions she complained of the symptoms
causcd by taking corrosive sublimate, but without
mentioning that she had taken anything of the
kind. DR.. Kingsley, of White Plains
noned, alter delay caused by first summoning the
amily physician, who lives in Mamaroneck. but
who was away from home. Not suspecting the pres
ence of poison Dr. Kingsley prescribed for the dis
ease from which he supposed she was suffering Az
ter he retired Miss Brownel pressed with ques-
tions by Miss Abbott who suspected from the agony
she suffered that she had taken something poison
Gus. At length, extorting promise not to tell she
confessed that she had swallowed corrosive subli-
mate. showing the almost empty bottle which re-
;naned in the closet. The poison had been in the
house for some time having been procured for
house cleaning purposes. Miss Abbott urged her
to tell the physician, and she ut length consented
stpulating that one else should be told. Dr.
Kingsley. however. returning in an hour and learn
ing the facts, insisted telling Mrs. Brownell, and
tins finally done. The usual antidotes
promptly administered, but it too late to save
the patient Her funeral will to-day from the
Methodist church i'll Rye.