Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-01-05

SHARON, Vt, Dec. 2S.--TEe sod intelli-
gonco Of the terrible douule murder end SUI
icide in Worcester, Maes., caused great
sensation In this quiet rural community,
where the victims OF the awful tragedy
formerly lived. The Narnum family is
among the o dest and most respected in
Sharon, end comes OF good revolutionary
stock Mr.. and Mrs. William Vernum, the
parents OF Henry c. Varnum, the murderer,
have always lived here. They reside in the
village, and the elGer Narnum 10 n BLACK
smith. lie was succeeded by his son Hon
ry, who carried on the business from the
time he was "a years of age up to the time
OF his removal to Worcester in August,
1892.
Life of Henry Varnum.
He was born in Sharon July q, 1912, and
always lived here. At 10 years of age he
went to Hartford VI, as a journey man.
While there young Narnum became uc-
Quainted with aud married Miss Laura
Wright, the eldest daughter O. John Wright,
Vermont soldier who lost his life in the
for the Union. TIE widow of tic de-
ceassd veteran and the mother Of the muir
dured wife, Mrs Sylvia Wright, made her
homo with her daughter, Mrs. Narnum,
since the marriage, a quarter OF a century,
aud when the Narnums removed to Ncr-
cester, the venerable lrdy accompanied them.
She was most estimeble woman and uri-
versally esteemed by the people OF Sharon.
Henry c. Narnum was good workman
at his trade and possessed consider-
able inventive genius. He was natural
mechanic and turned his inventive genius
IN the direction OF devisiny iron working
tools and machinery. He invented and
patented half a dozen mechanical devices,
one of the best known and most extensively
Iaipp bo NH ~
which can be found il nearly every hard
ware store in New Eng and and the West.
He also invented an lrcn barn door roll,
aud il was with one of these Devices the
embodied idea of his own brain, that he In
ilicted the dsadly blows that cauoed the hor-
rble death OF the loving wife and innocent
child and laid low the venerable mother.
varnum Has Been Insane.
Sharon people recollect that the village
blacksmith at times showed unmistRkable
signs OF inGanity, and they REGAL distinctly
the fact that in the spring OF 1872 he was
seized with a severe spel Of insanity, which
took the form OF melancholy and de.pon-
dency and threatened to result seriously.
Thi. insane spell was caused by his failure
to receive patent for L barn door roll and
the loss of some S 10 in attempting 10 secure
patent His insanity, however was only
temporary, and when he left Sharon for
Worcester he was to all appearances in his
right mind
a woman OF Hi.h Character.
Mrs. Henry C. Varnum, nee Laura
Wright, wa born in Hanover, y. H, in
1886, and consequently was but AS years of
age. She became a bride at 20, and for
NEARLY 90 years was the honored and be
loved wife OF the industrious village black
Tradiu~ ri NJ Shar nat
the married life OF Mr.. and Mr.. Henry c.
Narnum was of the pleesautest character,
and that nothing has ever occurred so far
as they have any KNOWLEDGE to mar their
marital relations. Mrs Narnum was a
Christian woman, and was ever first and
foremost in church work. she always had
kind word for avery one, and endeared
herself to the entire community by her acts
of charity and good work. All Sharon
deeply mourn her uuti.uely death.
No children were born 10 thu couple, but
they adopted fOlr at as many different
times, three of whom now lilo in the cemo-
terry, with tho fourth to follow on tho NOR
row. Miss Florence, tho murdered chId
was born in Hartford, Vt. something over
10 years ago aud was taken into the family
an infant OF only two weeks old.
The aged parents of tie late Henry c.
Vnrnun live in an old-fa5hionsd house on
the principal street of this pretty village
aud are in their 18TH year. Mr. and Mrs
Narnum were quite overcome by the terri
be news of the murdsr aud suicide of tEoss
whom they held most dear in this world
The sd Intelligence reached them about
dus6 last evening, and for a few moments
beither enc seemed to realize the import Of
the news, When they fully realized the ak
tent and nature Of tho awful tragedy they
were completely Frustrated. 1t is very
eevere blow 10 the father and mother who
have always been proud Of their col and
loving toward their dsuGhtsr-in-law.