Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-10-19
Lover, Whom She Was to Marry,
Was Killed by Well Gazing
In Upon Him
RECEIVED PART OF HIS FORTUNE
Brothers of Her Sweetheart Contested
Will and Big Lawsuit Followed,
G. Trotter, Who Was Appointed Adj
ministrator, Values the Estate at
About $4,000.

WIN her happiness WieSheu .i'N'
the course OF her life diverted by the
sad death Of the man to whom she was
| engaged. the details of the late Delilah
! Browns life form interesting reading
to those Interested In the case. Her
name is almost a household word a
mong present and former residents In
Montour and vicinity, by whom she
was much liked, in spite of her misery
/ tendencies, and highly respected. Miss
| Brown was engaged to be married 10
Mr.. David Arment, who lived about live
miles southeast OF Montour, down near
| Columbia as il used to be called, or
where the town of Potter now STANDS
| While digging Well thirly-elShl
| wears ago early next spring. the art
| caved I'm upon and killed Mr.. Armenl
/ 4 large share of his property wills
Willed to his fiance, but his prothers
contested and there was an interesting
/; lawsuit in which Miss Brown won. ~
is also believed that she was lett some
money by her parents. she mas al
WAYS worked hard, even going into the
/ harvest fields raising garden truck
i washing. ironing, sweeping, cleaning
always willing TO do anything there
was to do.
Her life was migratory one, and
many are the families she has worked
| for and made her home with fof
time, before coming to this city she
| was greatly esteemed by couple
| named Buttkereit, OF Toledo. with
whom she stayed for some time. Mr..
and Mrs. Buttkereit, the former a
German tailor, now live in Des Moines.
Miss Brown, while in the vicinity OF
Montour, made her home much of the
time with Mr.. and Mrs. Barney Swope,
the former an own cousin who died
four or five years ago. His widow is
now believed to be living with niece
| Of Miss Browns, in Kansas. She also
| worked and stayed at the Gill home a
good deal, and it was once rumored
| that she was going to marry the son.
! Albert Gill. Mr.. and Mrs. Gill are now
| living with a daughter near Clemens.
She was very well known by many OF
the residents of this city, for whom she
| did work at different times.
| Miss Brown was an indefatigable
| walker, and has been known to walk
| as far as Toledo, from this vicinity,
carrying little bundle OF provisions
| with her. She seemed to win the hearts
| OF all with whom she stayed, and the
only manifestation of her later queer
ness which was revealed in younger
days, was her extreme shyness and
modesty. Delilah, as she was famil-
iarly called by all who knew her, was
absent from Iowa for some time before
coming to Marshalltown. taking care
of sister in Kansas, who died, leav-
ing large family of children. 1t is
said she later received an offer of mar
rage from her bereaved brother-in-
law, which she refused. The whole
Brown family came from Maryland,
where one lister still lives. Since
moving into the little hut, which was
her home for SO many years, she has
rarely left this city. and has spent mos
Of her time in helping her neighbors
with their work, and making enough
this way to have kept her in comfort
had she used it, She had num-
Der of regular customers.
Many of the neighbors talked to her
and tried to persuade her to settle up
her affairs fearing she might die sud-
denly. To these suggestions the re-
ply was, ooh, don't talk to me about
that; I'll go to my folks before that
happens" One very close friend tried
to persuade her to give up her hard
work, build a neat cottage and enjoy
life, but Delilah, so Suergetic In other
ways but so needless OF her own COM
fort, would say, II know I am a fool.
but it is too much trouble to build, it
would drive me crazy" She had two
immense boxes of clothing. bed clothes
and other household furnishings. but
would not furnish herself place to
use them.
A wealth Of affection was lavished
upon one person in particular, the lit
tie girl, Margaret Ruopp, whom she
loved as her own daughter, and who
has been under her care much of the
time ever since she was a small child.
1t has been rumored, but not verified,
that she was going to will her the lot
on Church street, and she was ex-
tremely generous, during her lifetime,
with her gifts to the girl.
Administrator IL Appointed.
After a thorough search of the house
and a visit to all Of the banks of the
city, J. q. Trotter, who was Tuesday
appointed administrator of the estate
of Delilah Brown, estimates the prop
erty to be worth at least $4,000, most
of which is in realty holdings. So far
but very little personal property has
been located.
AS a. result Of the investigation yes
terday deeds were found in the house
to the property where she died; three
lots, at the corner of Seventh and
State street, 100 acres In Pocahontas
county, and 800 acres in Kansas. All
Of the property is free from debt. The
Pocahontas land is said to be worth
about $50 per acre, and the Kansas
land about $40. The search revealed
about $1,000 in notes, most of which
are yalueless, as the gfver is dead.
About 500 more in money was uncov-
cred from cans and hooks and corn
ers where it had been concealed. A
part of this was found in the chicken
house. in an old tin can, and sugar
bowl. Three small drafts given to
Miss Brown, two of which We're issued
several years ago, were also brought
to light. SO far as is known the di-
rect heirs are the niece and nephew
NOW, hara aod the brother and sister