The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1911-11-08
DID She DO IT
Nine Deaths in Chicago Arouse SHspie.
ion Of Murder Host Feul
WIDOW may 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-s
tives and aequaintances 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. Vermilyia's
name has been connected, including
TWO husbands, two stepchildren,
three children and two roomers at
boarding houses she kept.
Developments wednesday, follow
ing the establishment of polio sur-s
veillauce at the Woman's home,
came from several cities wheEe she
had lived. Pending the report Of the
toxicologists who are examining
the viseera of the last ef those
whose deaths have occurred beneath
Mrs. Vermilyia's roof, the police
have made no arrests. No positive
evidences of crime have beeR un-
covered.
The following facts became
known:
That while Mrs. Vermi,riyia has
said one Of the deaths roster, Rich
ard T. Smith, conductor, was on,
ly a boarder at her home, q forme-
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 u1-
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 rea: N why she could dis
cuss the deaths with composure.
That R. N. Burlington, photo
grapher of Peoria, the brether-in-
law of conductor Smith had nade1ore
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 matriman-
ial history, WHICH he described to
give to the coroner.
That Smith died during convut-
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-
TONS given by the widow as acute
gastritis.
That two conductors who had
worked with Smith on the railroad
/. Iold the coroner that Smith had
told them ne 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.
4 That BissoneGte 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
= Rivard was named as his fanpee
> Mrs. Vermilpia was witness to as
= certain whether the widow hac
: shown jealousy Of the policeman's
intended wife.
5 In a talk with the police Of Peoris
Bruington said Mrs. Vermilyia Aat
e periods of mental depression II
: which she was fond Of talking o
It death. He said: "She told me !
Z. seemed funny to her that nearl.
r, every one she knew and cared To-
s, died and asked me if was afrait
l. of DEATH
A new coincidence developed to
IS day following the sudden illness o
s. Mrs. Vermilyia herself when sis
le ter, living in the house adjoinin,
d Mrs. Mary Bucholze, suddenly be
e. came i'll.
a. Mrs. Vermilyia told inquiries 10
n day she had never studied medicin
= nor sought to become nurse a
- had been reported, but that she ha
- - some little knowledge Of medicine
y. that she had acquired to enable he
" to aid neighbors and relatives. Sh
IL insisted she was innocent.
The deaths being looked int
follow:
Frederick Bringkamp, first hus
band of Mrs. Vermilyia, died on
40 farm near Darlington, ILL.,, after
brief illness.
Charles Vermilyia, SECOND hu:
band, died after six days illness
o. sgastritis" at Maple Wood, III.
IS Florence Bringkamp, four veal
I'd old daughter, died at Darlington.
to Cora Bringkamp, eight years o]
f. daughter, died at Harrington.
IN Lillina Bringkamp, stepdaugh
th er, IS years old.
" Frank Bringkamp, son, died I
yn pneumonia in Chicago.
all Richard T. Smith, reported to
he third husbad.
in Arthur Bissonette, policema
RI roomer, to whom she was engage
ad died OF "gastritis' last Thursday.
av 1t was the sa5dsasss Of Bisso
". cites death, coupled with the vi
ow's statement that he was addict
-. to drink, whereas members Of t
~ :. police force had known him as i;
.. abstainer, that prompted the inve
- tigation.
- Prof. Walter Haines, prison e
in pert, expects to report by Friday.
~ The coroner's jury to-day left t