The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-11-29
YOUNG BRIDE.
Preferring Death to a MadhOuse
Kills Herself.
Makes Three Attempts Before
She is Successful.
SHE FEARED INSANITY
Touches Lighted Matches to
Her Attire.
Her Husband Makes Futile At
tempts to Rescue.
SHE FEARED INSANITY

New York, Nov. 29-Fearing that she
was doomed to spend the rest of her
life in an insane pavilion, Mrs. Hattie
Miller, a bride of only a few months,
who lived with her husband at No. 249
East One Hundred and Twenty fifth
street, burned herself to death this
morning. She made three different at
tempts to kill herself. The first two
were frustrated by her husband, who
smothered the flames before they had
gained any Roadway. Driven to des-
peration by his frantic efforts to pre-
vent her accomplishing her purpose,
even while he was applying soothing
lotions to his burned hands, she poured
oil over the charred fragments of her
gown and then lighted it with a match.
Efforts to save her the third time
proved futile, the flames spreading with
such rapidity that Miller was unable
to smother them. An hour after the
woman died in frightful agony
For the last few weeks she had been
morose and frequently intimated that
she would kill herself. Her morbidness,
it is supposed, was due to the fact that
her mother was taken to a, sanitarium
a short time ago, suffering from pro-
nOunced form of dementia. Since then
Mrs. Miller had expressed the fear that
she, too, would some day become in
sane She brOOded much and lately
worst fears realized. Her husband was
very affectionate and thoughtful. and
tried vafnly to cheer her up. He took
her to places of amusement, thinking
it would divert her mind from its I'M
healthy trend, but it did no good
Early this morning, Mrs. Miller got
up and went into the dining room. A
few minutes later her husband followed
to see what she was doing. Her night
dress was on fire and she was dancing
about in the middle of the room. Miller
ran to her assistance, and in spite of
her efforts to prevent him, smOthered
the flames, which had burned the low
er portion of her dress. In eXtinguish-
ing the flames he severely burned his
hands He took the demented woman
back to her room and then went to get
some oil to put on his wounds. While
he was thus engaged his wife returned
to the dining room, obtained another
match and again set her clothes on fire
Miller discovered it, put the fire out,
and ordered her to go to her room. She
pretended to obey him, but while he
was not looking she seized the oil he
had been putting on his hands, poured
it upon her dress and applied a lighted
match to it. At once the flames spread
rapidly over her clothing and caught
her hair. A fierce light glowed in her
eyes and she cried with insane joy.
Miller worked hard to save her, but
this time the task was too difficult.
Throwing her to the floor, he rolled her
over and over. but the flames had
spread with such CELEBRITY over her
gown that his efforts seemed in vain.
His hands and face were burned, but
still he persevered until he put the
flames out. It was too late, however,
and when the smoking blankets were
removed. the woman was unconscious.
Doctor Scott was called in and re
NAMED with her until she died at 6
O'Clock. The body was terribly burned.