The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1916-03-23
MRS. LAURA BURNS
FOUND DEAD
Bruised Body Frozen
Stiff
= how hegan Woman Discovered by In
,estigat0r> in Her Own Home.
Time Of Demise Not known

Time Of Demise Not known
Lying prone UPON The floor Of her
sleeping room partially disrobed
somewhat bruised and dead Mrs.
Laura Il Burns, aged about g who
lived aione was discovered Dy Card
nor Benson Tuesday He went 70
the house and obtaining 10 response
looked through window and saw the
horrifying spectacle just related Af-
ter notifying the proper authorities,
Mr. Benson in company with Select
man Demo Deputy Sheriff Chute and
Medical Examiner Stinchfeld repair
ed TO the dwelling and forced their
entrance into the same The cloth
ing Of the dead woman had been
strewn about the room somewhat but
a careful search OF the premises did
not lead the officials TO think that
foul play had been feature OF the
proceedings The bruises were sus
tained probably in falling as tie IN
fortunate woman had apparently
struck upon her face which was bad
ly SCARED as was one of her arms
A sister Mrs Edwin Morse. iiY-
ing in Madison, Vas notified aid With
her husband hastened to the home
The dwelling which is located on up
per Middle St was the first aboy-
the corn factory and was rather re-
mote in spite of the fact that neigh
bors lived almost across the street,
because of no near houses on the
same side Residents Of that sec
ton recall the fact that Mrs Burns
shoveled snow about her premises
on Thursday last This was the
last time they remember seeing her
alive although there was light iii
the dwelling Friday evening As a
reason for not sooner investigating
they advanced the idea thai Mrs
Burns frequently worked away .rom
home, although possessed OF plenty
of property OF her own, and thsy did
not think 1t unusual that She vas lot
seen about the place The lamp
which was found in the bedroom oil
a table had apparently burned itseli
out, consequently the Inference might
be drawn that the end took plae. err
Friday night Mrs Burns shoe,
were of md her skirt was unfasten-
ed bur not entirely removed when
she was found Her hair had also
been taken down and her artificial
teeth were lying Oh shelf IN the
kitchen From mustard plaster
which was found upon her stomach
and cup and spoon upon the stove it
would appear that Mrs Burns was
not in her usual health and was try
mG home remedies when overcome
Two alt We're found in the dwelling
aliN AID healthy and the flock of
hens which the dead woman owned
were il no means starved
Mr- Burns vho was member of
the island Avenue Congregational
Church. ,yas Tie daughter of Robert
l. Bridges OF Meddybemps and had
lived il Madison and Showhegan for
about thirty years Together with
her. husband the late samuel Burns
she removed from a farm in Madison
to the house whore her death oc-
CURED in the neighborhood Of eight
years age After the demise IF Ter
husband she has resided much a}on,
although a sister. Miss Alice Bridges
was staying With her when stricken
with a shock She was found under
conditions not totally diS-similar to
those under which Mrs. Burns was
found although WAen discovered she
was srIa breathing nd lived fo. some
day = j. Nj Morse Heae IS
OH, st-Igr Mrs OLIVE + kemp IT
NJ Y..s cry and four brothers.
Ch.-tas Bridges oi Lawrence. Mas
VI Bridges Of Red Reach. Robr
g. Bridges Of Neddyhemp- and ] II.
H,d-es ef Beh, Mon
Wrh fhs mention ri Mr.. kemp :
name Older residents wu -ssall q
thrilling eNpov5sors RuDt e#,,
Bridges SHE pa--.a throuea aer