Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-11-28
AgAxATIcs CRIME.
isaac Bssnsen. ~psrisnaiist, Calmly srts His
VIM ME 81 Poison watching Her Death

Isaac Bssr.en. Spsrisnaisst, Calmly SECS his
vtfe ME Of Poison Watching Her Death
With Jes.
A wesfGe;d tMass.) special says: On 9
lonely road winding around Mt. TOXIC,
six miles northwes. Of this village, in the
town Of Montgomery, in deeayed and
wcather-beaten farmhouse. has been en-
acted tragedy similar 10 the Pocasses
several wears ago, wben religious fanatic
Freeman. under pretended inspiration,
Killed his little daughter. The house Is the
hons 81 Isaac Bronson, aged about fiity.
who, with his wife, ten years younger, las
heen q confirmed spirituslist. Their house
has beep the issorite resort OF believers in
spiritualism IN The neighboring hill towns.
and Bronson was an exponndsr OF the sect.
Bronson has seven children, The eldest
tweniy-0Dc and the youngest few weeks.
Mrs. Bronson was a woman OF eoDsidera-
bic energy. but thoroughly indoctrinaied
with spiritual belief and practice.
One evening last week, alter Der hus-
band had gone 10 bed, she came into the
room and asked him il he would feel very
bad II her spirit was 10 go out OF It's mortal
frame and only be with him on the occa-
sion Of beT visits from the spirit land. lie
told her he would not grlcye II is was the
will Of God. Then, as calmly rs II II were
her intention TO sleep. the wife told the
husband that, desiring 10 be rid OF the
burdens and pains OF the body. she bad
swallowed two spoonfuls OF Paris green.
and IN few hours her spirit would depart
10 return often TO him from the spirit
world She asked him 20 watch by her
until the spirit had burst its earthly bonds.
and all the long hours OF the night he kept
faithful vigil by the bedside Of the woman
he loved. watching the spark Of life flicker
fainter 9nd fainter.
WATCHING TIE WIFE DIE.
At times her excruclatiug agony drew
tears from his eyes, but he called none OF
the other members Of the family. Atnearly
daybreak. without awakening the children,
he went 10 the house Of his nearest neigh
bors, who are Spiritualists. aud, rousing
them up, told the woman OF the bouse Of
the condition Of his wife, and the cause,
and urged her 10 hasten at once TO wit
ness =" the departure Of the spirit" When
GroDson's house was reached the visitor
quickly aroused the children. and medical
assistance was summoned from Wcstield,
but before the physician could get to the
house Mrs. Bronson was dead.
The husband unbesitatiBgly told the
s,oiy Of his wiie's death to eager question:
ers with no more signs OF sorrow on his
expfessionless face or in his calm gray
eyes than II the matter had been an every
day occurrence. When asked why re did
moi endeayor to save her life his reply was
&" Her spirit was her own. She had the
right TO release IL from the body and bad
none to prevent" lie was indirectly told
that the people might hold him re-
sponsible for his wiie's death, but to
such illusions he stead!asily replied
:" Her spirit was her own; her spirit was
her own" Finally. 1t was plainly laid to
him that some might think his hand adj
ministercd the fatal draught and hold him
10 be murderer. He Strengthened his
long, gaunt form 10 its full height, for an
instant flashed across his face CHASTITY
and into his eyes n sudden glenn
" interest; then, with calm voice and
.toical manner. he answered: ali they
hink that, wish they would hang me at
)nce."
THE FUNERAL.
The authorities Of the town sent the
medical examiner 10 the scene, who could
10 nothing but issue burial permit. II
Vas wild. weird scene, the funeral on
hat secluded mountain side, the calm
isaged husband and spirituli elder, sur
Ounded by his children and religious fol-
overs, paying the last sad rites to the body
4 the devoted wife and mother. But tears
we've few, ii any. Tor the chief mourners
eemcd 10 feel that no cause was there for
orrow, but rather for Joy, that another
pirit bad burst lis bonds and found lis
iaven OF rest.