St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-06-04
Shocking Tragedy In Montpelier.

Miss Mildred Brewster, daughter of a
wealthy farmer of Huntington, shot
Miss Annie Wheeler on account Of
jealousy Saturday, inflcting wounds
which proved fatal. The deed was COM
mitted in lonely spot on the outskirts
of Montpelier.
After shooting Miss Wheeler, the
Brewster girl turned the revolver on her
self and fired bullet into her right ear,
inflicting serious wound.
Both young women, who are well
known and popular, were, it is said, in
love with John Wheeler of Montpelier.
For long time Wheeler has been paying
attention to the young woman who
bears the same name, though not related,
and it is understood that they were
engaged to be married.
A short time ago Miss Brewster, in
spite of her social position, prompted by
ambition, decided to leave her fathers
home and go to Montpelier to earn a
living. She obtained employment with
the tailoring establishment of Ledden
& Campbell and boarded at the same
place where John Wheeler was staying.
After while there seemed to be signs
OF affection on her part toward Wheeler,
but he did not appear to return the affec-
ton.
Miss Wheeler, daughter of "a we'll
known farmer at East Montpelier,
learned of the infatuation of Miss Brew
ster, but paid no particular attention to
it. Matters came to climax when Miss
Brewster learned that Wheeler was to
take his betrothed to Barre to attend
the Decoration day exercises.
Early Saturday morning the Brewster
girl went to Miss Wheeler's boarding
place and warned her that il she did not
give him up she would kill him. Miss
Wheeler paid no attention to the threats
of her caller.
Miss Brewster waited until Miss
Wheeler started, and they were seen
walking together afterward AS they
passed along by-path and when shield
cd from view by rocky ledge which
skirts the path, Miss Brewster suddenly
drew revolver and fired shot almost
point blank into the side of Miss
Wheeler's head.
As her victim fell, the Brewster girl
pointed the revolver at the right side of
her own head and discharged It.
he &c ~ 4
the Wheeler family, and John Wheeler
and Others hurried along the path to
find out what had happened.
They came upon the two girls at a
bend in the path, and found them both
unconscious, with blood pouring from
their wounds. They were taken to the
Heaton hospital as soon as aid could be
summoned, where Miss Wheeler shortly
afterwards died.
Wheeler, the man in the case, was much
affected by the tragedy. While averse to
talking about it, he stated that,
although he knew something of Miss
Brewster's feeling, he had persistenty
refused to give it the least attention, as
he was in love with Miss Wheeler, and
was engaged to marry her.
He claims that on one occasion he even
told Miss Brewster OF the relations exist.
ing between himself and the Wheeler girl
He also said that he had heard that
Miss Brewster had threatened to kill
both Miss Wheeler and himself, but had
never taken the threat seriously.
The families of both girls are greatly
agitated over the affair. They are
among the most prominent residents Of
their respective towns.
Miss Brewster may recover, though
still in critical condition.