Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1894-02-02
SHOT HIMSELF.
Samuel A. Brown Was out of work and
Dependent.

Dependent.
Samuel A. Brown, aged 81, a blacksmith
and tool maker committed suicide at his
boarding place at 100 Worthington street,
Springfield, Mass, Wednesday by shooting
himself through the head with a rife, after
making a futile attempt to end his life by
hanging. Brown was formerly blacksmith
at the Brattleboro Retreat and had also
lived in Grafton. Brown went to the
boarding house in Springfield last August,
although he had previously lived there.
He had paid only 80 for board since Aug
ust, but Mrs. Hicks, the keeper of the
house, did not turn him away, as he con
stantly told her that some day she would
be remunerated for her kindness.
Nothing unusual was noticed about
Browns appearance when he appeared at
breakfast Wednesday morning. After the
meal he went out for few minutes, and
on his return seemed deeply distracted,
and before leaving the room put his hand
to his head and cried: "My God, what
shall do?' He then went upstairs to his
sleeping-room on the second floor. About
9 o'clock Mrs. Hicks went upstairs to at
tend to her dodgers rooms and knocked on
Browns door. Receiving no answer, she
opened the door and found the room full
of smoke. What had happened flashed
across her in an instant, and running TO
the street. She gave the alarm. Brown was
found dead on the floor, and beside him his
Winchester repeating rifle, with which he
had shot himself through the head. Around
his neck was IA loosely tied silk handker-
chief, and Medical Examiner Breck, who
was Immediately summoned, decided from
| the marks on the body that he had first
tried to commit suicide by hanging. He
had placed the muzzle of the rifle at the
back of his head, and the bullet had so
! torn away his skull and brain that death
must have been instantaneous Two let
tiers were found which threw light on the
motives for the deed The first reads:
"This is to certify that should | be
taken away suddenly and without any eN-
animation of the disposal of my remains,
it would be my wish to be- buried at Brat
tleboro, Vt, beside my wife, where | own
J a lot in the cemetery. 5. A. BROWN
The second, which tells the whole
| pathetic story, is as follows
81 am discouraged. No home, no work
no money. | have seen better days. |
have had a great deal of sickness, not
been able to work but little for the past
year, and now my money is gone, and no
prospect of job at present to earn any
more. | am of that age, 80, that | shall
not be able to work much longer, therefore
it would be best that were dead. If |
should 90 out of existence some one would
see that | am buried. | belong to the +.
and A. NJ, and would refer you to Chap
man Beach,
Documents were also found showing that
he belonged to Keystone lodge of Masons
at Grafton. and the secretary, Sidney
Holmes, was notified by telegram. Mr..
Holmes replied, stating that the lodge
would bear the expenses of burial, and au
thorizing drawing S25 from Frank Roger,
of Springfield. In the mans trunk cloth
ing, silverware some photographs and
other articles were found.
Brown was born at Charlton, Mass, ant
moved to Springfield from that place about
30 years ago. He was employed for som'
time at the armory, but finally moved tC
Grafton, where he remained for severa
years. Later he made his home at Brattle
boro, where he did blacksmithing at tn,
Brattleboro Retreat. He returned tC
Springfield about three years ago, an'
since that time had been employed at sever
2 al places there and at Brightwood. He wa
married twice, first at Charlton and agail
at Brattcboro. He was separated from
2 his first wife, and his second wife, wh
was Holland of Newfane, died abou
| nine years ago So far as known he ha,
p no relatives or friends, and his loneliues
e probably did much to make his mind un
settled. Brown had borne a good charaC
| ter, and was a Woodworking and tairl
frugal man.