Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-11-26
WILMINGTON.
Mrs. Henry Il. Mann.
Her Strange Death BY suIoIde---A Mys-
tery-That May Never he InraveIed.

Her Strange Death BY SuIoIde---A Mys-
tery-That May Never he InrRveIed.
1t is seldom We are called upon to record
any local event attended by such sad cir
cumstances, and one which 50 fills the
mind of every one with surprise and won
derment as the death by her own hand Of
Mrs. Malva A. Mann, wife of Henry
E. Mann, the station agent of the Hoosac
Tunnel d Wilmington railroad. On Friday
last at about 10 o'clock A. NJ. she went to
Parmelee's drug store and purchased two
ounces of chloroform, saying that she
wished to clean dress. She then went to
her home on West Main street, and after
taking bath went to her chamber, dress
ing herself in clean apparel, and with
cloths saturated with the deadly drug over
her face she went to sleep never more to
wake on earth. The question that comes
to every mind is why did she do such
terrible deed; why did this beautiful, tai
ented woman that seemingly had so much
to live for, surrounded by loving friends,
with one of the pleasantest homes in the
village, where every want was supplied,
thus rashly step from the ranks of the liv-
ing, leaving her friends in such darkness
and mystery. 1t is true, as her mother,
sisters and other friends well knew, that
she has ever had a strong passion for chic
reform, and has been known to say many
times that she loved the smell of it, and
that when she used it for cleaning purposes
she always saved portion to inhale. We
shall never know, but we believe that after
using part OF the drug she became dazed
and for the moment insane and was not
accountable for her actions. Such cases
nj in M obi hiatnrU
the following day a letter or note was
found, probably intended for her husband.
1t is not certain that it was written on the
day she ended her life, but the letter gives
no clue to the mystery. While some may
raise conjectures as to the contents of this
letter, it is but just to say it is free from
blame or reproach upon any one. No one
can criticise Mr.. Mann for declining to
make it public. 1t is too sacred for public
comment.
Mrs. Mann was the third child of Mervin
N. and Almeda Brown, and was born in
Jacksonville, Nov. IS, 1871. She had two
brothers, Martin A. and Leonard A, and
| three sisters, Matte, deceased, Ada A,
wife of w. A. Brown of Jacksonville, and
Lottie of Readsboro. She was married to
| Henry f. Mann on the 9th of May, 1889.
| OF this union two children were born, one
dying in infancy, the other, Harold A, a
bright little boy who is thus early deprived
of a mothers love and care. Mr.. and Mrs.
Mann formerly lived in Readsboro, remov-
| ing to this town five years ago. Mrs. Mann
was very attractive in person, and was ac-
tive and capable in every position she
occupied. She took great interest in local
affairs, and was ever ready to lend her aid
to every worthy object.
The funeral was held from the Univer-
salist church Sunday afternoon, the house
being filled in every part. Rev. F. S.
Walker delivered discourse which was
noteworthy for its appropriateness and
beauty of diction. Mr.. and Mrs. KiddeI
rendered exceptionally fine musical selec
tions. The floral tributes we're numerous
and very beautiful. The burial was il
Riverview cemetery.
And so another beautiful life is ended
and another soul speeds its flight to thu
realms of endless day.