Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-12-20
A Suicide in Poultney Left Mes
sage Telling of Murder
Century Ago.
LETTER BURIED FOR YEARS.
woman Tells How she Caused the
Death Of a Girlhood Rival in Love
md Then Wandered into ver-
mont-Terror of Crime Led
Her to Suicide.

The recent excavations preparatory to
LAYING the foundation of the new three
story block on the site of the old Corner
Drug Store in Poultney, brought to light
a long hidden message from one who had
found life unbearable; a story that is a
strange as 1t is grusesome. says :he
Poultney Joudnal. II Is a fact. still re-
membered by some of our oldest cti-
zens. that one woman resident of this
old by gone landmark had. during her
husbands temporary absence, drowned
herself in the covered cistern under the
southeast corner of thu old building and
1t is believed even to this day that ow-
ing to some strange influence at work in
this old cistern. her body was never re-
covered. but we have heard 1t affirmed
by others that she was found and the
remains inferred in the cemetery at the
Fest village. There is. however, some
doubt about this, and baslng our
search upon this rlunor we caused a
strict inspection for anything resembling
human remains. but our most dllgcnt
search brought nothing to light until a
small metallic box, resembling the flint
ers, was found tightly wedged in the ma
sorry of the cistern, at about four feet
from the bottom. AS may be expected,
tho box was in a very rusty condition.
ard resisted all our efforts to pry in open
until we discovered a faint tracing Of an
inscription under the thick coating OF
rust on what we then thought to be the
cover.
y ter numerous applications OF korc-
spne we were able TO plainly trace the
figures 1870, but strange to say, the first
hree figures were deeply engrav al in
the metal, while the concluding cipher
vas conspciously raised and stood out
In relief, having in its center a protru-
son somewhat resembling the head Of
a large pin. without expecting any re
suits we carelessy pressed the point OF
A pencil on this protrus'on. and in IN
instant. the other end of the box few
open with a wh!rr. scattering particles OF
rust over the room.We mad found the
open Sesame OF our locked discovery
and went to work al once to find what
It had in store for us. 1t was perfectly
dry on the inside. and as free from
rust as when it was first built by its
cunning old maker and upon further
inspection we discovered that 1t contai-
ell II parcel which proved to be MAUI
script, neatly and carefully written In
an old-fash!oned feminine hand and we
give here a correct copy OF this long
pent-up secret Of the dead. next of the
Settlers.
TEXT OF THE LETTER.
II am about to die. l have yearned
with longing that Death in any shape
would remove me from a life that has
been torturous burden to me for many
years. l have made up my mind more
than once, during the last thirty years
to write this terrible confession, this
horrible account Of depraved humanity
but owing to the grusome and hend! sh
details which it must disclose. | have
each time failed in my determination
and laid pen and paper aside. Now
however. since October days have come
once more, when the varicolored leaves
are falling like a shower OF rusting silk
among the branches like the souls OF
the damned calling for their accompIices
n the crimes OF earth; when tho bird.
are gathering in companies for their an.
nual migration, I have felt a growing de.
sire which has developed into actual re.
solve. to quit this life OF horror through
the Instrumentation of my own will and
ceed, but before l go ! must leave n
history that when found. will incite the
reader, not with the pity which 7 would
crave but the shuddering disgust and
adherence.
Il was born among the foothills OF the
towering White Mountains in New
Hampshire. and came In direct line q,
descent from a family llustrous and
closely connected with New ENGLAND,
most vital history My fLther served
with great distinction through the Reyo.
lutionary War, and many deeds of valor
toge;h"H 7lr"i COS Of th1
purest patriotism will he ascrlbed to the
proud old name as long as our flag o,
Stars and Stripes shall float to the breeze
"Iy ba ptismal name Is Charity NJ,
family name must remain a secret
was an only child, fondled and petted n,
my parents, and 7 grow IN In this happ,
home prosperous and thirty as those
times went, with scarselv an untitled de-
sire unless the death OF young com
par!ons could be called one. I had on,
| cherished girl friend in the person q,
LycSt Gipson, daughter OF our neares,
| neighbor, I was Lydias senior hy on.
year and wnen We grew up to girlhood
| this one years additional wisdom pav,
me decided authority over my beau,i
| full yong friend. especially IN matter,
when our grl!sh fancies would coniur,
| up visions of future sweethearts and
husbands. ] have already referred to m,
| friend as beautifu md indeed he,
| loveiness was OF the rarest tyne. sh,
was beautiful beyond my powers to do
scribe. ] was at that time a comel,
maiden, even though I do say II, and en-
| 1oycd a certain grlish pride ana salts
faction in the full knowledge OF nv per
sonal attractions but Lydia's beauty wa,
If that ethereal type which never llnzer,
long in this vale OF sorrow. I elorief
In her beauty as though II were my own
and not one pang Of jealousy embitteret
my heart iii we had both grown IN :,
womanhood,-the It was that this ewfu
shadow first cast it's gloomy outline,
across my ife's pathway
Lydia was nineteen and had tus
turned twenty in the fall of 1910. and I,
was then when George Roswell fr.
came and settled with his uncle. Of,
David Roswell, In our scattered Ncy
Hampshire community. Being an I'm
conventional people, knowing all abou
each others troubles and blessings ,
WAS not long before young Roswell wa,
on terms Of friendly intimacy with bot,
Of us girls, and the fact that he was ,
very attractive Young man, and in a In
calIty where young men are few ant