The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-11-04
DID SHE DO TT
Nine Deaths 10 Chicago Arouse Suspiic.
ion OF aurder host Foul
WIDOW MAY Be CHARGED

The Deaths Include Two Of the Wo-
mans Husbands, Several Of Her
Relatives and Intimate Acauaint-
ances, AL of Whom Died Under
Similar Circumstances. "
Chicago police Wednesday pur-
sued their Investigations into the
death Of nearly half score Of rela.
tives and acquaintances of Mrs.
Louise Vermilyia, to make certain
whether the similar demises ronsti7
tuted only a remarkable series Of
condolences, as Mrs. Vermilyia as
serts.
Nine deaths are included In the
list with which Mrs. Vermilyia,s
name has been connected, including
two husbands, two stepchildren,
three children and two roamers at
boarding houses she kept. -
Developments wednesday, follow
ing the establishment of polio sur
veillance at the Woman's home,
came from several cities where she
had lived. Pending the report Of 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. .a,1.,'
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 boarder at her home, former
roomer asserts the two claimed
previously to have been married,
and that they lived together as man
and wife. ,s,,,
That while the woman told the
police that she had assisted an un-
dertaker at Crystal Lake, a former,
home, in embalming bodies, the an
dertaker there denies that she ever
had any such experience She gave
this as a 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 ma1eloye
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 tolG him part Of her matriman-.
jal history, WHICH he described to,
give to the coroner. ':'
That Smith died during convuf-
sions, and after drinking some. sub
stance, whether medicine or not pe-
ing unsettled, but that the doctors
gave the cause of death from symp-
toms given by the widow as acute
gastritis. .,.at, ~. g., 54.,r
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
Hivard, of Kanakakee; this was
shown by the filing to-day or the
polieeman's will, in which Miss
Rivard was named as his fianeee.
Mrs. Vermilpia was a. witness to as,
certain whether the widow had
shown jealousy of the policeman's
intended wife. --...- -,
In q talk with the police Of Peoria
Burlington said Mrs Vermilyia had
periods of mental depression I'M
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 l was afraid
of DEATH ...
A new coincidence developed to-
day following the sudden illness of
Mrs. Vermilyia herself when a 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, H., 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 harrington.
Cora Bringkamp, eight years old
daughter, died at Harrington.
Lillina Bringkamp, stepdaught-
er, &c 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 of "gastrits" last Thursday.
1t was the suddeness of Disson-
| ,l,,tI oour1o5 with tho ,vi1-