Bridgeton pioneer., 1896-12-10
PORT NORRIS TRAGEDY.

But Twenty-one Years Old; Married Less
Than Two Years; Without any
Known Troubles or Cares She
Dies by Her Own Hand
Motive Cannot be
Fixed.
Why Maud Mcconnell, of Port Norris,
killed herself, will probably never be
known. She alone knew why she held
revolver to her breast, and an instant
later, fell over upon her bed lifeless.
AS indicated in the PIONEER Saturday,
the news of the death of the young
woman was received in this city by wire,
at half past twelve o'clock. County
Physician Thompson was notified by
one O'Clock, and one hour later he, ac-
companied by PIONEER reporter, was
driving toward the oyster town. Down
through the villages, first Fairton, then
Cedarville, around by Newport, through
Dividing Creek, the twenty-five miles
were covered and Port Norris was
| reached.
There was no excitement over the
shooting, everybody solemnly discussed
the tragedy, everybody expressed SYM
pathy for the family, but nobody had any
reasons to ascribe for the deed.
The County Physician has but one
duty to perform in these sad cases. His
effort is to fix responsibility to that de-
gree as to decide whether or not an in
quest is necessary in the case, and DIR.
Thompson, this bright Saturday after
noon began his task, and he left nothing
undone that would assist in throwing
any light upon the matter.
Quietly, earnestly he worked, asking
questions of this one and that one, put
ting the answers together for the purpose
OF completing the sad story. Here was a
man who knew the family. He told of
the woman, Of her marriage, of her
parents. He knew nothing of the tragedy.
The girl was dead. Why? He could
not say.
A merchant said in answer to the ques-
tions of the official that Mrs. Mcconnell
had been in his store just twenty-four
hours previous to the time her life ended.
She was happy, jovial, bright. Nothing
then about her to indicate that she would
welcome death. Rather her actions in
dicated that to her life was pleasurable
and satisfactory.
Then hint of domestic trouble from
somebody. Just a rumor, but apparently
baseless, for none could say of actual
knowledge that the poor girl had care
or worry.
Then the sad home was visited. Maud
Mcconnell is the wife of George McCon-
nell, young fellow who like his neigh.
bors, is an oysterman, just starting on
business career for himself. He had mar
ried the girl two years ago next March,
and previous to that her name was Rob
bins, the only daughter of Capt. Henry S.
Robbins, substantial citizen of Port
Norris, and a we'll known oyster dealer
and producer.
Maud had been his favorite child, as
girls are very likely to be, and never had
she lived away from home, even after she
became wife, she and Mcconnell
living at the Robbins home, pretentious
dwelling, on the shell road, leading to
Bivalve. To this home the County Physi-
clan was admitted, from those gathered
about the true story, as nearly as can be,
was learned.
There were many present when the
County Physician arrived. They had
come to sympathize with the family, come
to offer any assistance possible to those so
sadly bereaved.
Upstairs, in south room lay the silent,
still body. Upon bed in her own room.
her handsome face waxen, her pale lips
curved as if smiling, the great blue eyes
covered with the closed lids. Her rich
brown hair was thrown back upon the
pillow, her arms were at her side, one foot
being over the side of the bed, she seemed
as if asleep.
Why should she die? Possibly no one
can ever satisfactorily settle the question.
1t was happy family Saturday morn
ing that gathered at the breakfast table,
and none were happier and more con-
tented than Maud. Then George, her
husband, went down to the river, as
usual. Wilbert, a brother, went off to
his business, another brother went out in
the woods cunning. About nine o'clock
in the morning Capt. Robbins jumped
astride his wheel, and went out to his
meadows. just previous to that he had
been out in the barn. AS he came
through the yard he met his only girl.
She stopped him, threw one arm about
his neck, pulled his face toward her and
kissed him-the last caress she ever gave
to anyone. The Captain thought nothing
of the demonstration at the time, for
Maud was an affectionate girl, and he re-
turned her caress, and left home for
little time.
just before eleven O'Clock there were in
the house Mrs. Wilbert Robbins, and a
Miss Butcher. They were in the sitting
room sewing. Mrs. Robbins, mother of
Maud was OutSida tho h0uSe Maud