The times., 1897-05-27
FIRED HER OWN CLOTH|NG
Fearful Suicide of Mrs. Mary
Mason Baldwin.
OIL TO ASSIST THE FLAMES
Poured Kerosene on Her Dress
ard Applied the Match Suffered
From Fits of Insanity and Left
Alone But Moment, When the
Awful Deed Was Done.

After having twice failed to end her
life by inhaling illuminating gas and stab
bing herself, Mrs. Mary Mason Baldwin,
the wife of Charles Baldwin, of No 8
/ street northeast, succeeded yesterday
afternoon in committing suicide, in a
manner so horrible that only the mind Of
an insane person could have conceived
and carried out the deed With her own
hand, Mrs. Baldwin poured quart OF
coal oil upon heI clothing and ignited
the saturated garments with burning
match. In spite OF the fact that she was
Immediately discovered, the woman died
ten minutes later, In the greatest agony.
Mrs. Baldwin had been in Ill health
for several months past-Since the birth
OF a child, which lived but few days.
Her physical condition has been such that
her mind became impaired at times, and
it was during enc of these temporary fits
of insanity. that she committed the ter
rible deed.
Mr. Baldwin is employ ed as book
keeper for Wheatley Brothers, and was
away at the time. Mrs Baldwin was left
In charge of her two stepdaughters The
family occupied the second floor of the
apartment house at No. 10 / street, and
during the morning Mrs Baldwin was up
and about her room, and apparently feeling
no worse than she had been for some time
past. III fact, her daughters thought that
she seemed brighter and more cheerful
and nothing irrational was detected in her
conversation.
The lady who occupied the lower floor
had just called to Mrs. Baldwin that
she had bouquet which she was about to
send up To her. She was evidently much
pleased at her neighbours though tfulness.
and asked her daughter to step down
stairs and get the flowers The young
lady then left the room and stood leaning
over the banisters for "A moment, con
versing with the lady below, as she was
preparing to bring up the flowers.
During this time Mrs Baldwin was left
alone in her room, her other daughter hav
ing gone to the kitchen to get her mother
drink An instant later both young
ladies' were startled by the fierce shrieSs
that came from Mrs. BaIdwin's room, and
rushing in, the sight which met their eyes
was horrifyingin the extreme. The woman
stood in the center of the room in a blaz,,
u IiECp screaming Win pdiI tItt tiotHih-
was all in flames, but as soon as the door
opened she darted past her daughters and
rushed down the stairs, leaving trail of
smoke and flames behind her.
The young ladies were powerless to in
tercept her, but followed her out the door
into the back yard where she fell upon
the ground. One of IL. daughters seized
a pair or portiers which were hanging on
a 1.-THE yard and wrapped them about
her mother 10 smother the flames, while
the other dashed a pail of water upon the
unfortunate woman. Mrs Baldwins s cries
attracted a large crowd Of people to the
house, nd among the first to arrive was
Rev Father Dolan, of st. Aloysius' Church,
of which Mrs. Baldwin was a member.
The woman was still conscious W hen the
priest reached her side, and administered
the last rites OF the church.
DR.. Matterson and DR.. Suddardth were
called, but could render the unfortunate
woman no aid, AS she hadinhaled the flames
and died in the greatest agony in less than
ten minutes. Her features were horribly dis
torted, and her body burned to a crisp.
Sergt. Falvey and Policeman Bean took
charge OF the remains until they were
moved to Cannon & Perry's undertaking .es-
tahlishment.
Mrs Baldwin not long ago attempted
suicide by inhaling gas, by placing the
Jet in her mouth; and later tried to stab
herself through the heart with sharp
knife. but was rescued both times before
she had done herself any bodily harm
The oil which she poured over her cloth
ing she procured flom a lamp which was
ON r. hlp I'm room.
Complete arrangements have not yet
been made for the funeral, which viii
probably be held on Friday, from st.
Aloysius' Church. Interment will be made
in Mount Olivet Cemetery.