The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-09

OF the prospective bride, also sought
| and secured at her own hands release
from the cares and trials of this ltfs,
Dut Until then 1t Is doubtful II light
can be shed upon the mysterious shad-
NV which has hastened two lives into
eternity and now hangs over Spencer
like funeral shroud
Today all that was mortal of Henry
Hammond was laid at rest. and the
woman who on Tuesday, WIS 10 have
accompanied him to the altar, followed
ms body to the tomb Tomorrow the
pody or that mother who had tenderly
watched over and cared FOR her daugn-
ter, guiding her footsteps through tho
troublesome paths of childhood IN
through the walks Of fnRidenhood, into
the beaten avenue OF neatrirnony. win
also be laid at rest and with mar viii
doubtless be buried all possible solu-
ton OF Spencers suicides
The terrible tragedies following as
they have one after another in such
rapid succession, have appalled, even
the strongest, and the sorrow in Spen-
Ger Is not confined to two families. 1t IS
general, for all knew and respected
Henry Hammond and all know
and admire Miss Prouty
OF all the griefstFiolsen throng. the
one who retains the most presence Of
mind, who regards with the most
CHRISTIAN fortitude the great sorrow
lald upon her, is Miss iris D. Prouty
the young woman whose whole life has
been changed in the Wffo burst of self
sacrifice around her. Under the ex-
isnnS conditions most girls would be
oompletely overcome with grief but
MISS Prouty, while nearly heartbroleea.
beers up bravelg beneath her sorrow.
Her friends have been anxious con-
corning her, and especially aimee her
nothers death, lest Miss PFouty should
IN the trouble heaped upon her, laha
ner reason and attempt to end har own
Ire, but their fears appear to be mis-.
pAoed. She has turned a deaf ear In
the raise reports placed IN circulation
as result Of the double tragedy. ard
has shown q furtttude and strength az
character remarkable in a woman Of
her age. She claims to be as r1,,flh
N the dark as all others concerning
the real causes responsible for the slIi
eide Of her affianced and her mother
All she can attribute the suicide Of Mn
Hammond TO now is q Temporary de-
rangement Of the mind induced hy The
nervous strain he was under Mr.,
hammond was very nervous man
naturally, and she thfrks that possi
bly, the preparations for hrs Wedding
so wore upon his nerves as TO produce
temporary insanity.
Aaron Hammond fathar OF the dead
young man, was seen after the frr,ara
today by Spy reporter, and althourh
not able to shed much light anon the
real reason for his sons action, settled
Tor good and all the crininally false re-
ports which have been placed In eircu-
latlon since the suicide OF HIS SON
'I am speaking in AL honesty when
| say that do not know what canned
my son TO take his own Me" SAID Mr.
hammond, "and X there rs any one wiz,
can shed Hight upon the matter should
Ike to see that person. I believe that
whatever caused this action on NV
sons part developed after he left the
family TO go to his room the night be-
fore the shooting. II either came upon
him that night or In the rnorning be-
tween the hour of arising and when ha
shot himself. The maid who saw him
that morning says that no looked pale.
| cannot say that I noticed any change
ip hts condition for l did not pay par
tcular attention TO him"
"One OF the rumors being circulated
about the town has Il that the suaotdo
was the result OF O. difference between
Yourself and your son." said the re-
porter.
II have heard several reports" said
Mr.. Hammond, but there Is no foun-
dation IA this thai you speak Of Thoso
who know can tell you that there never
have been harsh words between myself
and my son. On chis morning / did NOT
speak 10 him IN the housa, and we were
together In the barn no more than tan
minutes, not long enough To have a
longthy disputA was IL Ny son was
IT a quiet, retiring disposition, and I
dtd not think his silence that morning
anything out Of tho ordinary. Buk as