Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1906-03-02

to o'clock yesterday morning, and his
death took place,at 1898 in the afternoon.
He probably brooded over his troubles a
long time but the course of events on
Wednesday may have sealed his deter
mination. In any event II Is evident that
his act was carefully premeditated.
He directed his housekeeper, Miss Han
nah Anderson, ON Wednesday evening. to
call him at o'clock yesterday morning
Al that hour, thinking he was awake,
she Knocked at his door and sac thought
he said he was dressing She then went
down stairs. Shortly afterward she heard
him rapping on the floor When she went to
his door and knocked again ne asked her
10 come In. and as she entered, he told
her to send at once for Dr. Pratt. She
called Dr. Pratt, who was not at home
DR.. Anderson. who was next summoned,
came Immediately Relatives and inti-
mate friends soon arrived. and a little
later DIR. Pratt and DIR. Gale we're present.
When found MIR. Childs was lying on
the floor OF his room. dressed in his night
robe, bleeding from wound In his left
breast lie was given every possible at
tention. and at times rallied so that his
friends had some degree OF hope that he
might recover. He was conscious and
conversed with the physicians and others.
The end. which came quietly anG peace
fully. resulted from the shock and loss
OF blood.
The fatal shot was fired from a ss-
calibre revolver which mad been in the
house many years. The bullet entered
the left breast just above and to the left
Of the heart. passed through the body IN
IN oblique direction. coming out on the
right side. 1t probably perforated the
liver.
On Thursday evening Mr.. Childs was at
the Wheel club rooms a snort time, later
called at DR.. Pratt's, going from there
home about 1880. During the night
ne wrote letters to his sons. his brother
and intimate friends. In these he spoke
of the weakness which he was about to
show. but said he was weary, worn out
and wished to go.
Mr. Childs was born in Wilmington
August 5. 1852, son of Jonn NJ. and Martha
A. CWinchester) Childs. He was a mem
ber OF the historic Childs family of Will
mington which has numbered among its
members several well-known residents of
Brattleboro After attending school in
his native town Mr.. Childs came here
at the age of 16, and in 1869 began work
In the office Of the Estey Organ company
He demonstrated his capacity at the start
and was soon filling a place OF RESPONSE
bility. Despite his vivaciousness and in
dependence he was a favorite with the
cool, practical head and founder of the
concern, the late Deacon Jacob Estey
Mr.. Childs's work was marked by method
and painstaking effort. In fact In all Of
his affairs of life he was very methodical
His ability as 'bookkeeper and expert ac-
countant brought him to the point where
he was financial man of the Estey COM
pany and this responsible position he
filled many years. He retired in July,
1904, after a connection OF 35 years with
the firm. His retirement was due to an
attack of writer's cramp which incapaci-
tated him from the duties which ne had
filled so long.
Mr. Childs married Clara NJ. Davis.
daughter of John C. and Sarah l.. (Rice)
Davis May 4, 1875. She died In Cam
bridge, Mass, Jan, 16, 1899, two days
after a surgical operation. Two sons were
born TO them, c. Frederic and George
The former. graduate OF Yale in 1893,
is now connected with the bond house of
Fisk e Robinson in Chicago and makes
his home In Kenosha, Wis. the younger.
who was at one time student in the
Sheffield scientific department at Yale, is
connected with an electrical concern in
st. Louis His brother, Arthur w. Chi'ds,
Of the firm of Childs & Putnam Of this
town, and for many years a resident here,
came yesterday from Manchester, N. H..
where he now lives.
His sons were summoned by telegraph
yesterday morning and it is thought that
both viii be in Bratteboro tonight Ar
rangements for the funeral will not be
made until they arrive, but 1t will be
private, and will be held Saturday or Suu-
day. Rev. Dr. NJ, II. Harris of Watertown,
n. Y, former Universalist pastor aere,
who married Mr.. and Mrs. Childs. and
who officiated at Mrs. Childs's funeral,
will again be the officiating clergyman, in
accordance with Mr.. Childss expressed
wish.
II is known that In his will Mr. ChiIds
expressed his wish as to the funeral,
named the bearers and requested that
his body be cremated.
Mr. Childs was instrumental In the
establishment of the telephone exchange
in Brattleboro, in connection with his
brother, Arthur, and his uncle, Major F.
w. Childs After the business had been
built to large proportions II was sold to
the New England company One OF Mr.
Childs's diversions was in meteorological
observations. He built and equipped
the station on Wantastiquet mountain
He had a valuable set OF instru-
ments, kept careful record for
years, and finally gave his instruments
to the high school. He was prominent in
the AFFAIRS Of the Vermont Wheel club,
had served as vice president and on the
executive board, and was for a long term
chairman OF the clubs house committee
He was a member OF Brattleboro lodge,
No. 102, A. f. & A. M.
Mr. Childs was active In politics and in
all public affairs. but he was strongly