Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-05-26
WOMAN'S HORRIBLE DEATH
Mrs. Mary Mason Baldwin Commits Suicide
by Cremation.
Her Mind Was Unbalanced and the
sad Termination of Her Life At
trfbuted to That Cause.

Mrs. Mary Mason Baldwin. who lived nj
No. ID I street northeast succeeded in
committing suicide about 1890 O'Clock to-
day, having made three previous attemp.s
to end her life during the past two months.
she poured the contents of a coal oil lamp
over her clothing and set 1t afire. In few
minutes she was corpse, her death fol-
rowing terrible struggle. She was in her
oed room at the time, and her loud screams
attracted several neighbors, vino made
every effort to save her, but the coal oil
oiaze was more than could be overcome.
aithougn she was still alive when the
flames were extnguished.
Father DOIan's Office.
Rev. Father Dolan of St Aloysius Church
was among the first 10 reach the woman
when it became known what she had done
ana ne administered the last rites of the
church just before breath left the body of
the unfortunate woman
The room in which the woman DESTROYED
herself is on the second floor, and as soon
as sne had applied the torch she ran down
stalfs ana out into the yard. Her step-
tbosn -, MISS Baldwin. who was among
.HoSe IN the house at the time rushed out
VI tne front door, screaming for help
Sergt Falvcy and Policeman Bean were
~ 10 the neishborhood, and they ran to the
daughter. When they reached the yard
MRS. baldwin was lying on the ground. and
ner clothes were still burning Several
buckets OF water were thrown over her.
ana blanket was also used. 1t was i'm
possible for the woman to be removed for
Drs Masterson and Suddardth, who were
called, realized that death was near at
hand, and that she could only live long
enough to receive the last sacraments.
Woman Of Wealth.
Mrs. Baldwin was the wife of Charles
Baldwin, who is employed as bookkeeper
for Wheatley Bros. iumoer dealers. She
was considered to be quite wealthy. She
owned the house N which she lived, and, 1t
is said, also owned other property She
was about forty years DID, and her maiden
name was Mason. Her parents are dead,
but she had relatives who lived on the
Benz ing road.
About six months ago her first child was
born, but the infant died when but a few
Gays old. This was so great a shock to
her that she lost her reasoning powers
and at times, when not rational, she talked
OF suicide and tried 20 commit the deed.
Her first attempt was made several weeks
ago, when she turned the gas at full
head, with the pipe in her mouth but she
was found before she had succeeded For
a time afterward her condition seemed
somewhat improved. Later when her mind
became worse, she endeavored to end her
life by stabbing herself, and in this at
tempt she was also unsuccessful. Last
Sunday she made the third attempt, by sat
uratihg her clothing with oil preparatory
TO cremating herself, but was detected be-
fore she had had time to apply the torch.
The Final Attempt.
Forty-eight hours afterward-about 1870
today-she made the fourth attempt, which
proved successful
When it was known that she had been
burned to death neighbors and persons on
the street iocked to the house and crowded
about the premises. all anxious to get a
glimpse of the dead woman, but their curl
osity was not satisfied, for the body was
wrapped in a blanket and carried in a
casket to Cannon & Perry's undertaking
establishment, on II street northeast
The dead woman's face was burned be-
yond recognition, and her body and legs.
it is thought, were almost charred. Her
death removes from the nefghborhood a
woman who was much loved by her neigh
bors, and her sad ending was a severe
shock to them. Late in the afternoon
Coroner Hsmmett was notified, and GER
tificate of deeth in accordance with the
facts will be given. Her funeral will prob
ably take place from st. Aloysius Church
tomorrow.