The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-12-27
AWFUL HOLIDAY CRIME.
Triple Murder and Suicide in a
Worcester Mans Home.
THE BODIES MUTILATED.
An Iron Door Hanger the weapon Used
by the Murderer - Minister Eonnd
Them I'm n Bedroom-Grip Caused the
Insane Deed.

Insane Deed.
WORCESTER, Mass, Dec. 27.-A horrible
triple murder and suicide was discovered
at noon yesterday in the upper fiat of q
three tenement h~ilding at 81 Taintel
street.
Henry G. varnum and his little adopted
daughter Florence were found dead, his
wife was nearly dead when discovered
and died on the way to the hospital, and
Mrs. Wright, the mother of Mrs. varnum,
now lies at the hospital in critical con-
dition, unable as yet to talk or indicate in
any way the story Of the awful event.
Henry 9. Varnum came to this city
from Sharon, Vermont, in September,
and sought employment as machinist,
which he found in the shop of L. T.. Pol
lard. He then hired the tenement on
Tainter street and sent for his family,
which consisted of his wife, an adopted
daughter, Florence and his wifes mother,
Mrs. Wright.
The family lived quietly and TO all ap-
pearances happily. Mrs. varnum was a
regular attendant at Hope Congregation
al church, where she sang in the choir.
Her husband and little daughter often
accompanied her.
Mrs. Varnum was not present at any of
the church services Sunday, and the pas
tor, Rev. +. w. Phillips, remarked the
absence and expressed some surprise, say
ing that Mrs. Varnum was not the sort Of
A woman to stay at home because it was
cold.
Mr.. Phillips had occasion yesterday to
make call on Christy street, near Tain
ter, and in passing thought he would find
II anything was the matter. He rung
the Vernum bell, but received no answer
and called up the lower tenement and
later the occupant of the middle dwell
ing, Mrs. f. f. Hall, who said she had
not heard anything from the Varnums
and that
She Felt Nervous About Them.
She also said that the door up stairs was
open.
Mr.. Phillips went up stairs Immediately
and entered the apartments through the
parlor. The rooms were very cold and the
furniture undisturbed. He passed through
the parlor into the back parlor and then
into the kitchen. He then pushed open
the door of the bedroom leading off from
the kitchen and terrible sight met his
eyes. -
Lying on the bed, covered, with blood,
were Mr.. Varnum and his wife. The man
was quite dead, but the woman was breath
ing heavily. In a cot in the corner OF the
room lay the child, turned over on her
face, also dead.
Mr.. Phillips waited to see no more, but
rushed down stairs to the office OF the
Knowls Loom Works, where he telephonod
tor the police. When the policelarriv
the mother, Mrs. Wright, was discovered
in an adjoining room. She was conscious,
but not able to speak, though she under
stood what was said to her and made
several Intellectual attempts to articulate.
The bodies of the man and child were
removed by the undertaken and the two
women were carried 20 the hospital. The
younger woman died j1st as the ambu-
lance stopped at the hospital door.
Mrs. Wright Is still unable to speak,
but she may live. She is about 80 years OF
age.
The weapon with which the awful deed
was committed was an iron door hanger,
an iron strap about 15 inches long, headed
by a cylindrical knob. The instrument
weighed fully four pounds.
Varnum himself was killed by stab
from knife, identified as his own. He
was cut in the region of the heart. There
were no other marks upon his body.
Medical Examiner Keefe, who examined
early Sunday morning. The
Bodies of the Man and Child
when found were stiff and water in the
kitchen was frozen. There was no sign of
violence about the house outside OF the
bedrooms.
Mrs. +. T.. Hall, who lives in the tene-
ment below, says that she heard slight
nd hn oh - - -, l.
Sunday morning, and moment later the
sound of footsteps. The noises ceased i'm
mediately and she thought nothing OF
them.
Henry c. Varnum, the man who COM
mitted the horrible murders discovered
by Mr.. Phillips, had kept blacksmith shop
In Sharon, where, besides doing all sorts
OF odd Jobs, he had manufactured kitchen
utensils
He had an attack of the grip last winter
and since then had been subject TO fits OF
and melancholy. His rela-
tions In this city, fearing that he would
suicide and thinking that change
of scene and employment would benefit
him in mind and body, induced him to
come here.
As soon as he found work he became
more cheerful and sent for his wife and
family. About five weeks ago he left his
owing to some dissatisfac-
tion on the part of both his employer and
himself. He has since that time been
more and more despondent and his
brooding over his troubles resulted in the
tragedy.
The aged mother who IL the only one
who could possibly give the exact details
OF the madman's work, is still unable to
speak on account OF the injuries TO her
face and jaw. She is resting comfortably
at the hospital, but Is not expected TO re-
cover
WORCESTER, Dec. 27,-There are no new
developments In the Xarnnm tragedy to-
lay TO show any motive for the act other
remains OF the three victims will he re-
moved TO Sharon, VT. tomorrow morn
ng for interment. The mother-in-law,
Mrs. Wright, still lives. at the City
IlnanffoI