The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-04-27
Washington County Court.

tor murder trial, but after receiving medi-
cal attendance Mr.. Howe was able to sit:
Mrs. John r. Goodenough Of Montpelier
was the first witness called Wednesday
morning. She stated that she had known
respondent since February, 1896. The first
meeting of Jack Wheeler and respondent
was at her home Easter Sunday OF that
year. After that they were together fire.
quently until Miss brewster went to North
field. Their manner was very affectionate.
After respondent returned from Northfeld
she appeared differently, was respondent,
and kept in her room for days at time.
In September witness and her husband WIS.,
tied in Huntington. When they returned
Mildred was weak, pale and appeared ill.,
In respondents room witness noticed an
offensive odor, and the bedding was badly
soiled. Witness felt suspicious, but never
spoke to respondent about these things
Witness thought respondent acted strange
ly for one who was right mentally. From
the time witness returned from Huntington
until Jack Wheeler went to Montreal in
December he was very affectionate towards
respondent.
Mrs. Juan DeCollaines was recalled. She
testified as to Jack Wheeler's loving atten-
tions to Miss Brewster, and to respondents
actions and appearance when she knew
Jack was with Anna Wheeler. Witness
never heard respondent make threats
against any one. She told of Miss Brews-
ter's illness in September, 1896, after that
she looked very badly and was very weak.
Wesley Brewster of Huntington, father
of the respondent, was next sworn He mar
ried Emma Sherman in 1865. He testified
at length regarding the insanity and suicide
of respondents grandfather and other rela-
tives. Never thought respondent smother
was in her right mind after her child was
scalded to death just before Mildred was
born. She would say at that time that she
had nothing to live for and was going to
commit suicide. After Mildred was born
her mother took no notice Of her and never
appeared to care for her. Witness des-
cribed in details spasm respondent had con-
tinuously until she was nine years old. She
was always very nervous child and it
took but little to unbalance her. She was
80 nervous before she left home that she
was almost insane and at times she was
very respondent and threatened to kill
herself. Witness watched her constantly
while she was at home and after she went to
Burlington and Montpelier visited her often
to make sure she was all right. On one &C.
casion when respondent was fifteen years
old there were Indications that she had
taken laudanum. She taught one term OF
school for which she received $35. All this
she invested in 100 bottles of complexion
cosmetic. Witness reached Montpelier on
the day Of the tragedy. The next day re-
spondent was conscious and talked with
him. He told her that she had shot Anna
Wheeler. She replied she hoped she was
not dead. Respondent told witness she
but did intend to shoot herself in her own
room. She had no recollection OF leaving
her room the morning of the tragedy or of
what she had done. Respondent told wit
ness that when she packed her trunk the
night before the shooting she did not in
tend to go home but did intend to take her
own life. At the hospital Mildred said she
did not want to live and wanted witness to
get laudanum or chloroform for her. Never
heard her express i'll will toward Anna
Wheeler. Soon after respondent became
conscious at the hospital she inquired for
Jack Wheeler and cried herself to sleep
calling for him.
DR.. Charles E. Chandler recalled by the
defence, estifed that after the tragedy he
examined respondent in company. with DR..
Page OF Waterbury to ascertain ii she was
pregnant, she was not but 1t was evident
from the examination that she had at some
time been in that condition.
A long letter written May 1, 1897, by re-
spondent to her father in Huntington the last
letter he received from her before the shoot
ing was read to the jury, by Mr.. Plumley,
and the following letters, written by Jack
Wheeler to Miss Brewster while she was in
Mortified were read by Mr.. Lord:
MONTPELIER, April %.
Dear Mildred-I now take the pleasure
OF writing yeu line to let you know how
when / left Northfield Sunday morning.
fellow had to come and get us up. What
do you think of that? Dear Mildred, we
may be up next Saturday, but won't
promise, but think we will for can have
good time when go up there and there is
no one down here that 1 care for, 80 If Juan
will go up Saturday night 1 will. Well,
Mildred, how did you feel the next day.
May be you had another fellow, but hope
not. There was two fellows up there Sat
urday and they told me all about you and
the two girls you were with. think I will
have to watch you or some one will be get
ting ahead Of me. Well, Mildred, 1 think
l will close now, having no more to say
this time. Hoping you are well and keep
present, 80 will bid you good bye until we
meet again and 1 hope it will be soon.
Good bye. Write soon to yours truly.
Remember me to Name.
MONTPELIER, May 7, 1895.
Dear Mildred-I now take my pen In
| hand to write q few lines. Think 1t Is near
| time. Hoping you will excuse me for being
so long about writing. Well, Mildred, I
was only down street once this week 80 to-
night have to go down and drill. Well,
iadws how DO Rst b along Tth that thai
some one when ! go up there again. He
| better look out for himself. What do you
think? Well, Mildred, I don't think can
60 up Saturday night, 80 you need not look
Tor me. i would ike TO very muCn. 1
know I will miss 1t, but I can't help 1t.
Don't know whether Juan Is going up or
not. He told me he did not think he would.
Say, Mildred the last time we were up
there we did not get home until six in the
morning, but didn't mind that for we had
| good time. Hoping you are well and in
| good health as 1t leaves me at present.
Hoping everything is all o. K. So good
| bye. Write soon to me.
JOHN WHEELER.
Remember me to Name and the other
lady.
MONTPELIER, May 10, 1896.
| Dear Mildred:- Il now take the pleasure
OF answering your kind and welcome letter.
Was glad to hear you were well and got
home safe. Well, Mildred it is to bad about
that friend Of yours getting mad for not let
ting him drive. Well Mildred 1 am only
going to write few lines to let you know
that we are coming up Saturday night to
see how you are getting along. Well Mil
dred think 1 will have to close for you
know am poor hand at writing letters
so good bye until we meet, hoping 1t will be
soon. Remember me to all / know. Good
bye.
This letter was not signed.
MONTPELIER, May 10, 1896.