The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1911-11-08
DID SIZE DO IT
Nine Deaths in Chicago Arouse Suspie.
ion Of Harder Host FeuI 4
WIDOW NAY Be CHARGED

The Deaths Include Two of the Wo-
mans Husbands, Several Of Her
Relatives and Intimate Acquaint-
ances, All Of Whom Died Under
Similar Circumstances.
Chicago police Wednesday pur-
sued their Investigations into the
death Of nearly half score OF rela-
tives and acquain1ances Of Mrs.
Louise Vermilyia, to make certain
whether the similar demises consti-
tuted only remarkable series Of
condolences, as Mrs. Vermilyia as
serts.
Nine deaths are included in the
list with which Mrs. Vermilvia's
name has been connected, including
TWO husbands, two stepchildrer,
three children and two roomers at
boarding houses she kept.
Developments wednesday, follow
ing the abishment OF polio sur-
veillance at the woman's home,
came from several cities wheEe she
had lived. Pending the report o, the
toxicologists who are examining
the viscera Of the last Of those
whose deaths have occurred beneath
Mrs. Vermilyia's roof, the police
have made no arrests. No positive
evidences of crime have been un-
covered.
The following facts became
known:
That while Mrs. Vermil@iyia has
said one Of the deaths roster, Rich
ard T. Smith, a conductor, was on
ly a boarder at her home, former
roomer asserts the two claimed
previously to have been married.
and that they lived together as man
and wife.
That while the woman told the
police that she had assisted an un-
dertaker at Crystal Lake, former
home, in embalming bodies, the an
dertaker there denies that she ever
had any such experience. She gave
this as reason why she could dis
cuss the deaths with composure.
That R. N. Burlington, a photo-
grapher of Peoria, the brether-in-
law of conductor Smith had madeiore
to the widow following Smiths death,
SO as to investigate suspicious he
then had about the reason for his
relatives death; that the widow
had told him part Of her nahiman-
lal history, WHICH he described to
give to the coroner.
That Smith died during conEut-
sions, and after drinking some sub
stance, whether medicine or not be-
ing unsettled, but that the doctors
gave the cause of death from symp-
tcnis given by the widow as acute
gastritis.
That two conductors who had
worked with Smith on the railroad
told the coroner that Smith had
told them he was living with Mrs.
Vermilyia, though not married to-
her, and that he has been threaten
ed with death by another suitor OF
the widow, an undertaken.
That Bissonette was really en-
gagged to be married to Miss Lydia
Rivard, of Kanakakee; this was
shown by the fling to-day Of the
polieeman's will, in which Miss
R;vard was named as his fanpee.
Mrs. Vermilpia was witness to as
certain whether the widow had
shown Jealousy Of the policeman's
Intended wife.
In a talk with the police Of Peoria
Bruington. said Mrs. Vermilyia Aad
periods Of mental depression IN
which she was fond Of talking Of
death. He said: "She told me it
seemed funny to her that nearly
every one she knew and cared for
died and asked me if I was afraid
of DEATH
A new coincidence developed to-
day following the sudden illness Of
Mrs. Vermilyia herself when sis
ter, living in the house adjoining
Mrs. Mary Bucholze, suddenly be-
came i'll.
Mrs. Vermilyia told inquiries to-
day she had never studied medicine
nor sought to become a nurse as
had been reported, but that she had
some little knowledge Of medicines
that she had acquired to enable her
to aid neighbors and relatives. She
insisted she was innocent.
The deaths being looked into
follow:
Frederick Bringkamp, first hus-
band of Mrs Vermilyia, died on a
farm near Darlington, ILL.,, after a
brief illness.
Charles Vermilyia, SECOND hus-
band, died after six days illness Of
"gastritis' at Maple Wood, III.
Florence Bringkamp, four years
old daughter, died at Darlington.
Cora Bringkamp, eight years old
daughter, died at Harrington.
Lillina Bringkamp, a stepdaught-
er, 26 years old.
Frank Bringkamp, son, died Of
pneumonia in Chicago.
Richard T. Smith, reported to be
third husbad.
Arthur Bissonette, policeman.
roomer, to whom she was engaged
died CT "gastritis" iast Thursday.
It was the suddensss Of Bison
cites death, coupled with the Tlldd-.
ow's statement that he was addicted
to drink, whereas members of the
police force had known him as an
abstainer, that prompted the inves-
tigation.
Prof. Walter Haines, prison ex-
pert, expects to report by Friday. :
The coroner's jury to-day left for
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