Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-09-29
JUDGE WOODWARD SUICIDES.
A Son OF c. E. Woodward of Braintree,
City Judge Of Montpelier.


/ Judge c. f. Woodward Of Montpelier.
son OF z. Z. Woodward Of Braintrse,
committed suicide yesterday at Mont
[ pelier. Last evenings Montpelier Jour
nal reports the sad deed as follows
'C. e. Woodward, Jr., judge Of the eity
court, committed suicide by hanging
this morning His body was found by
G. ID. Bancroft at $40. The deed Was
done in the little Office that adjoins the
city court room. Judge Woodward made
shp-noose in the end of a cord about
the size OF a window cord the other end
OF it he fastened to one OF the coat hooks
on the wall. When found he was thrown
forward, face down, his feet and legs
were on the floor and his knees almost
touched the floor. The knot Of the moose
was placed over the iugular vein and
carotid artery. When found be had
probably been dead for about a half hour
"Mr. Bancroft went to the office about
SEQ to look for his mail but did not GO
inside. A few minutes later he went
back to the office and discovered the body.
Drs. q. e. and q. e. Hunt and NJ. r.
Chase, who were in an adjoining office.
came in answer to Mr.. Bancroft's call.
The latter ran for the mayor and together
they all entered the Office and took the
body down. But it was far too late.
Death was due 10 strangulation, the neck
not being broken. Gleasons ambulance
took the body 10 the undertaking rooms.
ut was a custom OF Judge Moodwardis
to go to his office between six and seven
O'Clock each morning. This morning be
was seen at about 8 :40 going toward his
Office. Then again at little before eight
o'clock he was seen going that way. On
this second tri he was just coming from
breakfast. IL s reported he seemed q
little better and more cheerful this morn
ing. But his wife did not think that he
was able to 90 10 his office.
tsfTba fuharrs had bag in, f.r
some days past and had not been quite
right IN his mind He had had long
talks, within the last few days, with the
mayor and several Of the leading lawyers
In these talks he had been very despon
dent and had not seemed quite like him
self
Financial troubles and worry over the
liability OF losing his Office are thought to
have prompted the deed.
''FOr the first time since he had ooCu-
pied bis Office the door between the city
court room and the private office where be
committed suicide was found shut and
locked. The closing OF this door left the
little room in darkness.
"Mr. Woodward was Mason, being a
member OF the council. Mrs. woodward
was quite prostrated when Mayor L. M.
Cory broke the news OF the suicide to her
about nine O'Clock this morning. But she
has borne up very bravely considering the
awful suddenness Of the shock. Judge
Woodward was a kind man in his family,
g hose grief is thus made doubly bitter.
"Charles r. Woodward, Jr., was born in
Braintree July 4, 1862. He was educated
in the Randolph graded and high schools
and i'm the Sta e Normal at Randolph
Center. After his studies were completed
be engaged in educational work. He was
or time superintendent Of schools ta
West Topsham and also teacher there
He afterwards studied law and settled in
where he married a daughter Of
Dr.. Lazelle. Two children, a son and a
mediate family. Judge Woodward came
o Montpelier about six years ago and was
made Judge OF the city court Dee. 1, 1872
The sympathy Of the entire community
foes out to the family in this hour Of sad
alamity."
The funeral is to be at the Montpelier
lome Saturday. Burial at Plainfield.