The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-08
WITH SlLKEN MOOSE.
Mrs. William III. Prouty, Made Demented
by Death of Prospective Son-in-Law,
Ends Her Life. Shocking De-
tails of Rash Act.

Spencer, Jan. Mrs. Maria Teel,
wife of William H. Prouty of this
town. ended her life last night under
circumstance which were as tragic as
they were sad, and the manner in
which the lady took her own life is
hardly with parallel In this vicinity.
The suicide Of Mrs. Prouty is a direct
sequel to the suicide of Henry Ham
mond, which aroused all Spencer yes
terday morning, as she is the mother of
Miss Iris d. Prouty, the affianced bride
of Hammond
Another story which gained currency
tonight late, but which could not be
Hammond also attempted suicide by
taking strychnine, but was prevented
from doing 50 in the nick of time.
The death of Mrs. Prouty was gem
orally known of on the streets this
evening, but it was given GU. that the
weil-known lady had suceumbed to
heart failure. Subsequent investlga-
ton developed the fact that death was
the result Of suicide, however, and that
the subject had shown wonderful nerve
in inflicting self murder
Mrs. Prouty had taken a small white
silk handkerchief, placed it about her
neck and taking the ends one in each
hand. had pulled by main strength UNI
I'll death resulted from stranguation.
The lifeless body of Mrs. Prouty was
found shortly before 8 O'Clock by her
husband. William H Prouty
LII
suicide, yesterday morning, Mrs.
Prouty has undergone a severe mental
strain, and has appeared almost de-
mentsd. Her physical condition has
been frail for some time past, and the
events of the preceding tragedy told
heavily upon her. Mrs. Prouty has re-
fused to be comforted, and those know
ing to the facts will hardly marvel
at the tragic termination Of the wo-
mans life.
Miss Iris D. Prouty, daughter of Mrs.
Eronty, the suicide of today. was at
the home Of her affianoed husband,
Henry Hammond, the suicide of yester-
day morning. where she was assisting
In the arrangements for the funeral,
HIGH takes place tomorrow afternoon,
the day previous to the one on which
young Hammond. Although Miss
Prouty knows tonight that her mother
is dead, she does not know that her
loved one died by her own hand, and
in a most peculiar manner.
William H. Prouty, the husband, re-
turned from business trip yesterday
at noon, when he learned for the first
time OF the suicide of his prospective
son-in-Jaw. Since that time Mr.. Prouty
has been busy with his local business
affairs.
Shortly after the departure Of Miss
Iris for the Hammond home, this after
noon, Mr.. Prouty went about his usual
business and returned home about $50
o'clock tonight. Finding that Mrs.
Prouty was not in the lower part of
the house, Mr.. Prouty proceeded to the
upper apartments and finally to the
attic. Here a sight met his eyes which
he will never forget Lying on her
back unconscious, with the slender
handkerchief about her neck, was Mrs.
Prouty.
Mr.. Prouty did not think his wife was
dead, but unconscious, and lifting her
tenderly In his arms he bore her to the
lower apartments, and placed her upon
her own bed. He then went to the home
of HIS brother, Fields NJ. Prouty, and
asked him to hasten for medical aid
DR.. T.. w. Norwood responded to the
call, and found that Mrs. Prouty was
dead, and had probably died half an
hour before. a further examination
showed the strange manner in which
the poor woman took her life.
The handkerchief had been placed in
such a manner, and had been pulled by
either end so evenly, that there was
hardly q crease in the delicate fabric.
and but little to show on the tender
neck the mighty strength Of the fatal
strain.
Mullins Prouty, a nephew Of the I'M
fortunate lady, called at the house door
after the fatal discovery, and was dis
patched to the Hammond home to bring
Miss Iris home. He knew nothing OF
the cause Of the death-Jf his aunt, sim
ply that she had died suddenly. And
it was this communication which the
young man conveyed to his cousin
Miss Iris, when he arrived at the Ham
mond home.
The facts of the cause Of her moth
er's death were unknown to Miss
Prouty when she retired for the night
at the home of her uncle, Fields M
Prouty. The family were reticent re-
garding Mrs. Prouty's death, and the
facts were not known until given out
by Dr. ~. w. Norwood IN his official
capacity Of medical examiner for thiAl
district.
The news Of this sad second chapter
of the tragedy inaugurated yesterday
morning by the death OF young Ham
mond. will come with peculiar sad
ness to this town. The facts OF the
engagement Of Miss Iris D. Prouty, the
plans for the coming marriage and the
subsequent death Of the prospective
groom are all well known to Spy read
ers.
Miss Prouty was also one OF Spen-
GERS most estimable and well-connect-