Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-01-12
STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE.
SeIectmen Have Offered a Reward Of
800

For Information Leading TO the Dis
covery OF Miss Mary Ayers, Who Left
Her Home wednesday NIght---sui-
eide IL Feared.
Miss Mary Ayers, "a, disappeared mys-
terously Wednesday night and II IS reared
that she NAV have committed suicide. She
chad not been herself the past two weeks,
according TO the statement of Mrs. Pack
ard of Springfield, Mass, with whom she
lived. She came home Wednesday on the
10 train, and went at once TO the home
of her parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Freeman
Ayers. on Grove street. She stayed in her
room a large part Of the day and ate little.
In the evening she said she would go TO
the exchange TO telephone TO Springfield
that she probably would not return there
for two weeks. After spending an hour
in her room she came down stairs, and as
she passed through the dining room about
O'Clock her father spoke TO her about not
being gone long, but she did not reply. 1t
was her intention after going to the tele-
phone exchange to call at DR.. Pratrs.
When Miss Ayres did not return her
parents thought she had gone TO the Dairy
mems meeting with a friend, and about
midnight Mr.. Ayres started out to search,
but met an acquaintance who told him the
banquet had not ended.
Yesterday the story OF her disappearance
became known and a search was begun
under the direction OF Deputy Sheriff Nc
Clure. 1t was found that Miss Ayers did
not leave Brattleboro on the 1910 train
Wednesday night She may have wan
dered from the village in state Of mental
alteration, but il this were the case some
trace of her would probably have been
found. The seectmen have offered re-
ward of 500 for information which will
lead to the discovery of Miss Ayres. II
she is dead the same amount will be paid
for the recovery Of her body.
Miss Ayers left her gold watch in her
room, but her pocket-book cannot be found
and it is thought that she took it with her.
1t is supposed TO have contained a good
sum of money. Among her effects was a
will. dated Nov. %, 1899, in which she
made disposition of her property.
Miss Ayers is described as five feet four
inches in height, OF slender physique,
brown hair, blue eyes. She wore green
dress waist with black skirt, short light
jacket trimmed with black fur, and light
felt hat ornamented with long feather.
Miss Ayers graduated from the Brattle-
boro High school in 1884 and later took a
course in the normal school at Westheld,
Mass. She was exceptionally bright as a
student. She taught for time in the pub
lie schools OF Brattleboro, but for several
years has been assistant principal of the
Central school in Springfield, Mass. The
Springfield Union says; "She was one Of
the most successful teachers and was loved
and highly esteemed. Her pupils were
particularly fond Of her and never forgot
her, even after entering the High school
and college. She possessed a very calm,
dignified manner"
She has never been subject to melancho-
liza, but she was not strong and has always
been a hard worker.
Miss Ayers has always been held in high
esteem and those who knew her intimately
speak of her as possessed Of unusual intel
ligence and strength OF character. She was
member of the Episcopal church.