Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-08-14
.D[ATH UNVEILS SECRET
Rich Des Moincs Mans Suicide
Uncovers Hidden Chapter
In His Life
MARRIAGE WAS KEPT SECRET
j. w. Brown Carried Out Promise to
Dying Wife That He Would Marry
His Stenosrapher, Who Had Been
Friend of Family-Further Details of
His Demise.

Des Moines, Aug. 1.-the tragic
leath of j. w. Brown, manager OF the
G. o. ID. Produce Company. at his
home, 1914 East Grand avenue. at j
o'clock Yesterday morning as reported
in these dispatches Monday, brought to
light n series Of sensations which ulti-
riage to his stenographer and book
keeper in Minneapolis last November,
one month after the death of his first
wife. Browns body was discovered
early yesterday morning by his sec
ond wife, formerly Miss Sarah Lister,
who for years has been identified with
the G. O. ID. Produce Company, of
which Brown has been the manager.
The body was lying in the bath
room at the Brown home. the head
swathed in towels and a rubber tube
connected the face to the gas jet on
the wall. 1t was without doubt pre-
meditated for long time and the re-
suit of Respondent frame of mind.
magnifying his troubles, and worry
ing over his i'll health.
The tragedy brings to light the dra-
matte scene before the death of his
first wife, when, calling into her room
her husband, Mrs. Brown requested
that some time, after her death, he
marry Miss Lister, who had been
close friend of the family. 1t was her
wish that the little daughter Mrs.
Brown was leaving alone in the world
would be cared for by stepmother
that the real mother knew would be
a loving and trustworthy one The
promise made was kept and within
one month Mr.. Brown and Miss Lister
went to Minneapolis and there before
a Justice of the peace of that city
plighted their troth.
The marriage remained secret until
the terrible calamity which befell the
family yesterday morning. Then brok-
en- down by the death of her husband,
whom she had not yet acknowledged
Miss Sarah Lister that was. now Mrs.
j. W. Brown. acknowledged that she
was the lawful wife of the suicide, and
that his marriage certificate could be
found among his private papers at the
Home Savings Bank, where they re-
posed in a private safety deposit vault.
Certificate Is Found.
The proof was found and Mrs. Brown
tearfully wrote her name for the first
time as the wife OF her husband to the
request that her own stepson, Clifford
Brown, be appointed administrator of
her husbands estate. The request was
granted, and in the district court yes
terday afternoon an order was signed
making the son the administrator of
the fathers estate.
The whole affair was most tragic.
Des Moines were paralyZed by the news
of the suicide His friends could as
sign no motive. The business affairs
of the suicide We're in first-class condi-
ton. III health or worry over his fam
lily affairs alone can tell in a general
way the cause Of the dircful event.
Fulfilled the Promise.
J.. W. Brown had fulfilled the prom
Use to his dead wife. He had married
the woman chosen as the protector of
his children, and he had by his own
hand taken the tragic gas route to join
the companion of his former years.
Il have gone to meet your mamma,
children" he wrote in the many mess
ages and directions of the disposal of
his property which were found in his
desk at his home.
Mr.. Brown ended his own life about
o'clock Monday morning. He was
discovered by Patrolman c. O. Ander-
son lying. dead in the bathroom of his
home, 1914 East Grand avenue.
Mrs. Brown, known to her friends
as Sarah Lister, was aroused during
the night by noise in the house.
Fearing burglars she ran to her hus-
bands room. He was gone. Fearing
for reasons known only to herself that
he might have committed suicide she
hurried to the bathroom. The gas
was escaping from beneath the door.
Unable to open the door Mrs. Brown
smashed in the glass. The strong
odor from the room forced her back.
Officer Anderson. passing the house
at the time, hearing the crash of glass
rushed into the dwelling believing that
burglars We're at work. When he saw
the light on the second floor and
heard Mrs. Browns screams for help,
he ran up the stairway.
"He is in there" she cried, point
ing to the bathroom door.
Breaks in Door.
The big police officer threw his
weight against the door and broke it
in Lying on the floor was the dead
body of the East Des Moines mer-
chant. He was dressed only in a
bathrobe. Around his head were
wrapped several sheets and night
dresses Running from a gas jet was
a rubber hose One end was showed
down the dead mans mouth.
The News of Grinnell.