The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-07-26
Boston Police Believe That
Alice Barrett Was Not
Struck by Lightning.
Finding OF Revolver and Message
Seems to Indicate That
She Suicided.
NOTE MAY HAVE BEEN DICTATED.
Building Was Struck al tInstant Shot Was Fired
Unfortunate Girl Had Lost All Her
Savings Through Friend.

Boston. July 26.-Lightning did not
kill Miss Alice M. Barrett at 40 Kilby
street, Saturday, but lightning and a
pistol appear to have played an active
part in a most singular coincidence.
Miss Barrett was shot, presumably by
herself. the trigger OF the weapon being
probably pulled simultaneously with the
appalling crash OF thunder that followed
the lightning which kindled flame in the
air shaft OF the building.
The lightning struck at 8. Three min
utes later an alarm was sounded, and
very quick to respond was a piece of
apparatus connected with the protective
department.. Discerning a little smoke
issuing from the window Of the room
occupied by Miss Barrett, who was en-
ployed as q stenographer and typewriter
by Goldman e. Goldman, real estate
brokers, efforts were directed toward
that part of the building.
District Chief Hussey was the frst to
reach the door Of this room. II was
locked. A few blows Of an ak burst
the fastenings. and three firemen rushed
in to find Miss Barrett lying ON the
floor in front Of the safe, the door of
which was open.
There was a ledger on the floor, which
led to the supposition that she was en-
gagged in locking up the books when
halted by death. The inference of course
was that the young woman had been
shocked to Death but had the revolver
and letter found on the floor near the
body been turned over to the police a
melancholy blunder would have been
averted.
It is stated that Miss Barrett had ac-
cumulated quite a sum Of money, some
$500 or $1,000. which she had lent to an
acquaintance. who had lost II In specula-
Con Miss Barrett worried over her
loss, and 1t so preyed upon her mind that
she could stand II no longer and deter
mined to end her life. There is not a
breath against the girls character or
reputation, and she was very highly
esteemed by all who knew her.
Ordinarily Miss Barrett finished her
work at o'clock Saturdays but she had
some extra bookkeeping to do and staid
later, locking herself into the office.
She was the only person1eft in the build
ing, the janitor being engaged at the
time in his regular work in an adjoining
building, which is connected by bridge.
He it was who first saw the fire and sent
In the alarm.
Miss Barrett was 23 years old, and
lived with her mother and two brothers
at 249 School street. Waltham. She.
graduated from the high school class Of
1892 After graduation she learned
stenography and typewriting. and had
been engaged in such work in Waltham
anu Boston. She was a member Of the
Unitarian church. and greatly interested
IN charitable work.
Medical Examiner Steadman has cer-
titled that Miss Barrett committed sui
eide, but there are other theories as to
her death. which throw mystery on the
case. The autopsy showed that the bull
let passed through the heart and lodged
In the muscles on the right side of the
spinal column. The revolver. a new five
chambered one, was evidently fired left
handed. Just inside the door was box
Of cartridges. from which five had been
taken TO fiiI the weapon.
Beside the body was a note addressed
70 Mrs. Barrett, the writing on which
has been Identified as that OF Mass Bar
rett's by her brother and uncle. This
note said that $500 had been drawn from
the bank and had been lost. The bor-
rover, she said. was out OF the United
States and was known only to herself.
On the back OF the note was the request
that the note be legally rewritten and
placed in her personal effects.
The girls mother and brother decline
20 give the name OF the borrower. II they
know II, which they probably do. and
both maintain that the girl was mur-
dered. Her bank book shows $1,000 de-
posted In April, 1896. and $500 with
drawn in April. 1897. and the balance
with accrued interest. makes n deposit
20 her credit OF s3os.42. Many theories
are suggested as to how Miss Barrett
was killed. but the medical examiner
will not change his opinion without evi-