The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-11-03
NINE DEATHS AROUSE SUSPICION.
Chicago Widow Nay be Charged With
Numerous Murders, Including
Two Husbands.

Chicago, Nov. 1.-Chicago police to-
day pusued their Investigations into
the death of nearly half a score of rela-
tives and acuuaintances of Mrs. Louise
Vermilyia, to make certain whether
the similar demises constituted only
a remarkable series of condolences, as
Mrs. Vermilyia asserts.
Nine deaths are included in the list
with which Mrs. Vermilyia's name has
been connected, including two hus-
bands, two stepchildren, three chill
dren and two roomers at boarding
houses she kept.
Developments today, following the
establishment of police surveillance at
the woman's home, came from several
cities wher she had lived. Pending the
report of the toxicologists who are ex-
amining the viscera ur the last of those
whose deaths have occurred beneath
Mrs. Vermilyia's room, the police have
made no arrests. No positive evidences
of crime have been uncovered.
Facts Revealed.
The following facts became known
today:
That while Mrs. Vermilyia has said
one Of the deaths rostor, Richard I.
Smith, a conductor, was only board
er at her home, a former roomer as
serts the two claimed previously to
have been married, and that they liv-
ed together as. ma and wife.
That while the woman told the po-
lice that she had assisted an under
taker at Crystal Lake, former home,
in embalming bodies, the undertaken
there denies that she ever had any
such experience. She gave this as
reason why she could discuss the
deaths with composure.
That R. n. Bruington, photo
grapher of Peoria, and brother-in-law
of Conductor Smith, had made love to
the widow following Smiths death, so
as to Investigate suspicious he then
had about the reason TOT his relatives
death; that the widow had told him
part of her matrimonial history, which
he described to give to the coroner.
Death of Conductor Smith.
That Smith died during convulsions,
and after drinking some substance,
whether medicine or not being unset
tied, but that the doctors gave the
cause of death from symptoms given
by the widow as acute gastritis.
That two conductors who had work
ed with Smith on the railroad told the
coroner that Smith had told them he
was living with Mrs. Vecnilyia, though
not married to her, and that he has
been threatened with death by anoth-
e. suitor Of tie widow, an undertaken
That Bissonette was really engaged
to lie married 10 J-is3 Lydia Rivarl, Of
Ta1a'12llce; his US shown by the fl
iIg today c: lie 2a:ic:IHan's will, in
which Miss Ri:ard was named as his
fancea. Mrs. Vernilyia was witness
to the will, and the police will ende1y-
or to ascertain whether the widow had
shown jealousy Of the policemans in
tended wife.
Sisters Sudden Illness.
In talk with the police OF Peoria,
Burlington said -,i:s. Tc.'m9:!yja !..c:;. pc
II Is Of mental depression in Which |
she was fond Of talking Of deatll. He
said: she lcld ne it seemed funny !
to Ter that nearly every one SIC knew
well and care! Eor di= and asked ne
if | was afraid Of death"
= new coincidence ,:eve]op2d today
following the sudden illness Of Mrs. |
Vern?ilyia herself when a sister. liV-
ing in the house adjoining Mrs. Mary !
Brcholze, suddenly became III.
Mrs. Vermilyia told inquirers today
she had never studied m-dic;ne nor
sought to become & y jrse as lad been
but that she had s9lre little
knowledge of medicines that she had
acquired to enable her TO aid neigh
bors and relatives. She insisted sne
vas innocent.