Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-08-10
A MOTHERS LOVE
Still Burns for H. H. Holmes OF
Mudgett.
Story of the BOyh0oH of Terribly
Remark able Man.

To mention the name OF Herman Webste
Mudgett in the vicinity of Gilmanton Corner
N. b.. means to listen to eulOgy of his fam
lily clear back to the grandiathers on DOtl
his father and his mothers side. "Levi II
Mudgett; yes, i have known him for years
He Is one Of our best citizens. A good man
an honest man. Why, he is the foremost re
publican in GilmaGton Corner. And hi
wife is even more rigid republican than he
They both belong to the Congregations
church, and always have"
This statement is made by almost every
body in the village of the father Of Herman
Mudgett, who is known all the country over
under the aliases of II. II. Holmes, How lrd,
Lyman Pratt, etc. In this village, where the
elder Mr.. Mudgett Ia well known and Wlle,t
his family have lived for generations the
best things which can be said OF any man are
said of him. On his fathers side Herman
comes of a family which has always held itself
up to the highest standard of morality, hon
esty and Christianity. There are still people
living there who remember the grandfather
of the notorious Holmes. Levi Mudgett, the
father. is now an old man of about II years.
He is weak and feeble, and his friends could
not but notice that he has become Il very
much older man during the months since his
sons last visit in November. He is hardly able
to do more than to take short walks. and he
moves about slowly with not near the yigOr
OF his neighbOr, Ira PennOck. the village
cobbler, who is more than 10 years his senior
Levi midget was horn on Il farm in Gil
manton Corner, for the village long ago
ceased growing. lie was brought up Ielig-
i0usly in the Congregational Church, and
like every country boy worked around the
farm. He was saving man, as men go, and
while not parsimOnious to an agggravated
extent, yet he took care Of his money. When
a comparatively young man he found himself
able to embark in business for himself, and
he opened Il country store in opp sitiOn
to his employer just across the street.
With a partner he dealt for years until dur
ing an exceptionally hard year, some thirty
years ago, he failed and had 10 get ont Of
business temporarily. In the meantime Levi
Mudgett had married the daughter of Moses
Price. au old gentleman who had prospcrel
on farm just outside the village. Mr.Prce,
Herman's grandfather, is still remembered in
this village According to the stories OF him
which have been handed down he was Il very
close iisted man, who believed that the one
very good way to get money was to save it.
He also believed in getting it with ali posi-
Bile haste.
Ira Pennock, the cobbler, and Mr.. Bean.
one OF the few democrats in town, whose
daughter, Miss Helen. is now the local post
mistress, remembered Moses Price well In
their opinion Herman AIudgett never showed
any OF the characteristics Of his fathers fam
lily, but rather was patterned after his
mothers, and it was always the village talk
that Herman was another Nose Price in
his ambition to get money. In young Herman
the old residents here have always remarked
that they saw a great deal of his mother.
Mrs. Nludgett is one of those sweet tempered
women, always the same, calm. deliberative.
with contcntGd smile and quiet, assuring
manner in time OF adversely. with Il most at.
tractive disposition, yet very firm.
Herman was very clearly his mothers boy,
and he is also his mothers boy now, Just as
much as ever, for nothing in the last few
months has appeared to dim the affection
and admiration of the boy by his mother.
While the alleged cupidity OF the son under
the alias of Holmes has affected the father
deeply, it has evidently not lost him his
mothers regard She speaks of him with us
much obvious pride as she did years ago. ior
she does not believe n word OF the stories
charging him with various murders. 'Yes.
she said in that sweet. low voice. the other
day, II suppose Herman was his mothers
boy. He was always II kind hearted, gentle
little fellow. Herman never did anything
Wong; he never had to be scolded for not
doing as he was told, nor for playing
pranks.
"But when you ask me If he was soft
hearted can say yes, emphatically. |
never knew him to torment any one, es-