Norwich bulletin., 1910-04-28
Millionaire Smith Crushed to Death
AFFAIR OF. MYSTERY IN A NEW
 YORK BOARDING HOUSE.
THE TREAcgERous FOLDING BED
With the Dead Man Was Woman Who Has Disappsarsd-smith Left
 Wife and Family in Massachusetts.

New Ork, sApf7l .ZI.-tdenIy we'll ington Smith, millionaire paper man ufacturer- of Lee Mass, and delegate to the republican national convention in 1880, met death last night in a New York boarding house, crushed by the springs of a treacherous folding bed.
 Woman Disappears.
 With him was an elderly woman, who was slightly injured and who has subsequently disappeared, leaving behind a case of mystery. She was known at the boarding house as his wife, but investigation showed that Mrs smith had not left her home in Lee, and that Smith started for New York yesterday unaccompanied- So much secrecy attaches to the case here, however. that it cannot even be learn ed whether his body has been sent home or whether it remains tonight at an undertaking establishment where 1t was taken after the tragedy.
 Sons of Dead Man Sent For.
 First reports of the accident gave the victims name as William or Willard of the friends of the family telephon- ed Alnon c. Barrett, a brother-fn-law of Smith, who resides here, and Bar rett identified the body in the under taking establishment here. He also telegraphed to E.. Smith of Lee and to Augustus Smith of Pittsf1eld, Mass. sons of the victim, and it is understood that Augustus Smith came to New York and tok charge of the body. Mrs. Wellington Smith remained at her home in Lee.
 Dr. Weston Tells What Happened in
 the Boarding House.
 Dr. w. H. Weston told today what happened in the boarding house of Mrs. Benjamin Ralph, 426 West 23d street, where Smith met his death. Dr. to the house he found Smith's body on the floor, while his woman compan- ion was walking wildly about the room, talking in an incoherent manner. The physician saw at once that Smith was dead The legs which supported the folding bed had given away. and the heavy wardrobe which formed the back of the bed crashed down on mans neck. The woman was uninjur- ed except for slight wound on the shoulder.
 When she learned that Smith was dead. pr. Westo4 said the woman ran downstairs to the basement. Dr. Weston and am amubulance surgeon followed her, and found her sitting there. dazed. She refused to say a
 Strange Woman Dsparts.
 -Dr. Weston did not press her, for at that time he believeA her to be Mrs- Smith. After he left the house. he said she called lqn back and asked him to take her away to the home of a lIlcfLu. Wn0S6 u<1IuG. Sle QlQ uOL I1Gu- ton. She named street in the Seven- ties, Dr. Weston said He told her that her place was there with the body of her husband, but she departed unheed- ing.
 Undertaken Sworn to Secrecy.
 The undertaken who took the body from the house refused to say a word, declaring that he had been instructed by the family to observe absolute se- crecy. The police have no record of the case, beyond the fact that Smith was killed accidentally
 The Landiady's Story.
 Mrs. Ralph told the police that short ly after midnight she heard muff1ed cries from the back parlor, which Smith and his companion occupied. The door was locked and she ran to the street for assistance. Miss Anna Smith and Miss Anna SnralEwood, who were rooming in 3. nearby house, and a young man who was with them were walking by, and the three came to the assistance of Mrs Ralph. They climbed to the low balcony outside the par1or window and one of the girls was lifted in by the young man over the top of the upper sash, which was pushed down part way. She unlocked the door, and the man and three wom- en lifted the bed, drew out Smiths body and rescued his companion.
 Smith was 69 years old.