The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1909-11-12
SECOND SUICIDE
ATTEMPT A SUCCESS
Charles B. Perkins Killed Him.
self at Fitchburg.
ONCE LIVED IN BRATTLEBoRo


Wrote Note to His Brother-in-La
and Then Hung Himself in His by
House-Body Brought Here.
After mailing letter of farewell an
notification to his brother-in-law, Charlie
b. Perkins, go, formerly of BrattleborG
committed suicide by hanging in the rea
room of his dye establishment at 1877
Blossom street. Fitchburg, Mass, Tuesda
afternoon. The body OF the dead man wa
discovered by Sergt. Charles s: Brown
Officer Whiting and A. B. Read at All
while the letter sent by Perkins to MI
Read was postmarked at 2.3O, indicating
that the deed had been done between thos
hours. Mr.. Perkins attempted to tax
his life on Feb. Is of this year with illu
minating gas, and he was secured befor
death had claimed him as victim.
Mr.. Perkins was well-known character
in Fitchburg, where he had resided To-
about II years, going there from Brattle
boro. He has conducted dyeing ant
cleansing business in the basement of 1871
Blossom street and despite periodical alb
sences from the place has managed tc
continue the business His wife died some
two years ago and since her death he had
been addicted to the use of liquor, coming
under surveillance several times. 1t was
alleged by the police that on the occasion
of the attempted suicide in February he
had been drinking and after recovering
from the effects of the gas was strongly
warned to abstain from intoxicants
His sister, Mrs. A. b. Read, and her
husband have aided Mr.. Perkins in every
way to overcome his failings, and for
months have taken him for drives on Sun
days and other days. He had strong
appetite for liquors and Mr.. Read said
Tuesday he thought the deceased had be-
come tired of the struggle against the de-
sire and took advantage of an opportunity
to end it all. Lately he has seemed to be
in much better health and spirits and, last
Sunday, when leaving Mr.. and Mrs. Read
after a very enjoyable drive, looked for
ward with pleased anticipation to the
Thanksgiving gathering.
Thoughts of suicide seemed to be far
away and Mr.. Read and his wife were
thunderstruck Tuesday afternoon when
the postman delivered letter about $50
containing notification of what had hap
pened. The letter told Mr.. Read he
would find the body in the back room OF
the dye shop, told him where to find the
look for the watch and money. The let
ter indicated that Perkins had carefully
and calmly gone over all the details OF
the deed and when his plans were COM
pleted had written the letter.
Mr.. Read was alarmed and fastened to
the dye shop, meeting Sergt. G. S. Brown.
He told the sergeant the contents OF the
letter and the two men continued their
Journey towards the establishment, pick
ing up Officer Whiting on the way. They
made their entrance through the rear |
from the ceiling directly in front of them
was the lifeless body of the old dyer. The
officers notified Medical Examiner Fred
erick H. Thompson and when they had
viewed the body, Sergt. Brown cut it
lown and placed it on couch till re-
moved to the undertaker's.
The rope was common three-ply hemp
'ope and was placed around beam N
he ceiling. The other end was placed
lround his neck and knotted back on the
Ear. Perkins stood on a small box, used
Is an ice chest, and when ready slipped
rom the box and remained suspended in
he air with toes almost touching the
loor. The body swung against the wall
md various marks indicated where 1T had
'ubbed against the wall. The room was
lsed to hang articles brought to the place
% be dyed or repaired.
After an examination of the interior
md the visit of the medical examiner the
,olice took the letter from Mr.. Read and
brought it to the police station. The let
er read as follows:
BRO. Alb
"Find me hanging in my shop.
See Mr.. Bullock. Come in back door.
KEYS in front door, House keys, bank
book and money in desk drawer.
Good bye to all Fraternally yours,
&c. B. PERKINS,
The police took charge of the, premises
nd after the medical examiner had view
the body locked up the establishment;
he KEYS were found in the door, as stated
, the letter, while the desk drawer re-
called the watch, bank book and money.
The first attempt at suicide took place
arlv in the morning of Feb. ID. Perkins
ad turned ON two Jets of Illuminating
as and then locked the door, He fell to
ne floor sustaining bruised face and
BOULDER, but the fall probably saved his
fe. The police were notified OF the sus-
cions of two girls and Officers Whiting
I'd Chadwick arrived just in time. The
Sc above him, while whatever air there
as in the room reached Perkins as he
v on the floor DIR. Cornelius E. Geary
tended him and by prompt and drastic
cans brought him around all right. Tues
" he tried a different method and man
ed to succeed.
Charles b. Perkins was born at Elmore,
t., Nov Is, lS48, and was son of Burn
nm and Rosetta (Whitcomb) Perkins;
q third of seven children, four sons and
rec daughters. His parents removed to
tzwilliam, N H., when the son was quite
Jung. In 1868 when less than Is years
age he enlisted as drummer in Com
nv F. 9th New Hampshire infantry,
d was later an orderly for the surgeon
the regiment. He was in the battle OF
,ttysburg and other severe battles. He
A a severe illness during his term of
ryice. At the close of the war he was
,charged from the service and went to
ssouri where he resided for two or
rec wears. He subsequently resided in
rlineton and Brattleboro, and Keene,
II where he was in the business of
eng. He went to Fitchburg 10 years
, and has been in the same business.
/. was n member of Masonic lodge and
Royal Arch chapter at Burlington, vt.
lie married in 1874 Miss Emma Teb-
rs. who was then residing in Fitchburg.
e died Oct 10. 1906. and her death
med to cast a gloom over his subsequent
|. as he was a most devoted husband.
: is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Hill
, Jenkins of Orange, n. j.; by three
lers. Mrs. Albert b. Read and Mrs.
,rren Read of Fitchburg, and Mrs:
INK Brewer of West Orange, n. j.; and
one brother. James ID. Perkins, of
nchester, n. H. Burial will be at
ittleboro.
Woman has found another champion in
v DR.. Arthur c. A. Hall, Episcopal
hon of Vermont, who by comparison
ended her right to vote in an address
Carnegie hall, New York, Tuesday. eve