Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-12-08
GUILFoRD.
Former Resident Shot Himself at His
Home In Wlllamstown, Mass.


Home In Wllllamstown, Mass.
Albert b. Andrews, a former selectman
and prosperous farmer and prominent
citizen of Willamstown, Mass, commit
ted suicide Sunday in barn on his farm
in that town by shooting himself in the
right temple. He threatened during the
morning to kill himself, and shortly before
he left the house wrote a long letter of
instructions relative to the care of the
stock upon the farm and other matters
pertaining to its management and then
bade his wife and daughter good bye.
Mrs. Andrews rushed to the house of a
neighbor, while the daughter followed her
father to prevent him from carrying out
his intention He ran to the barn and,
in passing from one part to another.
eluded her. and moment later she heard
two shots in rapid succession. She rushed
in the direction of the shots and found
her father dead upon the floor. A bullet
passed through the brain and caused in
slant death.
The cause of Mr.. Andrews's act is
unknown, but il is believed that he had
been mentally deranged several days.
Last week he sold his farm on North
street, which is one of the best in the
town, but the papers had not passed, and
during the latter part of the week he
appeared to have been deeply concerned
about something though he made no mem
ton of it, Saturday he went to the
centre of town to take care of several
business matters, as usual, and before
returning home went into the hardware
store of Perry A. Smedley and bought a
32-caliber revolver, with box OF car
tridges. He remarked that the revolver
that he chose did not suit him, as the
barrel was too short, but he wanted one
of 32-caliber and took it, as it was the
only one of that caliber in the store.
His family knew nothing of his pos
session Of the weapon. He appeared
perfectly rational when on the street
during the day.
Mr.. Andrews was one of the towns
best-known citizens, and for two years,
In 1900 and 1901, was a member of the
board of selectmen, having led his COL
leagues the second year in the number of
votes received. He refused a third term.
He was born in Guilford,. VT, So years
ago, but soon after his marriage in 1877
to Miss Abbie E. Lindley, daughter of
John and Julia Lindley of Williamstown,
moved to Williamstown and had since
lived there. He was successful and had
accumulated some property, including the
farm on which he lived. He leaves one
son, Albert Leroy Andrews, a graduate
OF Williams college, who is now studying
In Berlin, Ger, and one daughter, Miss
Mabel l.. Andrews, a graduate of Vassar
college.
Mr. Andrews was a son of Nehemiah
and Abigail Andrews of this town. In
addition to his family above mentioned
he leaves two brothers who live in Mil
lers Falls, two sisters, one in Erving.
Mass, and the other in California, and
there are cousins and other relatives in
Guilford and Brattleboro
Mr.. and Mrs. George Kerr of Dummers-
ton were guests of Mr.. and Mrs John
Gale Thanksgiving day.
A social will be held at the home of
Mrs George Bond Tuesday evening, Dec.
IL. Everyone is cordially invited
Whooping cough is having a run among
the school children of this vicinity and
the number of pupils attending school is
small.
George Dutton of Boston made a brief
call on his cousin Mrs. Fred Coombs,
Wednesday. Mr.. Dutton was on his way
to Windham.
Mr.. and Mrs. Alexander Thomson of
F1tchburg and Dr. Barber and family
of Brattleboro were guests at Joel Flagg.s
Thanksgiving day.
Mrs. Flora Ashcraft, 20, widow of Thad-
deus Ashcraft of Guilford, died in her
home, Pierce street, Greenfield, Mass,
Sunday. She was born in Bernardston,
and had been a resident of Greenfield
several years. Her death occurred after
long Illness. She leaves a daughter,
Mrs. Emily S. Carpenter, who has at
tended her during her long illness. The
funeral service was held in her home,
Wednesday morning, at IL o'clock. Rev.
J. d. Reed oflciated. The burial was in
this town.