Thursday, April 15, 1965 University Daily Kansan Page 11
PHILADELPHIA—(UPI) — Mary Happer, the sister-in-law of Gen. Maxwell D. Taylor, the U.S. ambassador to South Viet Nam, was shot to death Wednesday in her room at a nursing home in the historic Germantown section here.
Friend Kills to End Suffering
The confession to her slaying was written carefully on a note found on the body of her "best friend." Miss Dorothy Butts, 35, also of Bethesda. Miss Butts used the same pistol to end her own life in front of the Bethesda police headquarters.
Only a few weeks ago Miss Happer 61, came to the High Oaks home for Christian Scientists here.
Back in Bethesda, Miss Butts knew the pain and suffering which Miss Happer bore and the greater pain she would suffer before death would end it.
It was 4 p.m. before the two ladies returned to Koom 8 on the first floor of the home.
EDITH BARRETT, the nurse on duty, was startled by "two sharp cracks." She ran to Room 8. Miss Happer was in bed, wearing only a slip.
Miss Butts hurried her sick friend into her clothing for a long ride in the country.
"TODAY, I KILLED my best friend, Mary Happer of 7305 River Rd., Bethesda, Md., who had been suffering so cruelly from cancer," the note said.
MISS BUTTS arose early Wednesday in her Bethesda home, drove the 125 miles to Philadelphia and arrived at the home before 9 a.m.
Her visitor said nothing as the nurse huried to the bedside. She "stuffed something" into her hand-bag, turned and ran out the door, Miss Barret said.
IN THE CONFUSION, the nursing home failed to notify police immediately. They were busy trying to save Miss Happer's life.
Miss Butts dashed acroses the terrace to a parking lot, got into her light-colored automobile and sped off.
It was an hour before police were summoned and learned all the details. Records at the home revealed Miss Butts' name and address and Bethesda authorifes were asked to look for her.
Shortly before 11 p.m. two policemen entering their Bethesda headquarters noticed the automobile parked outside. It fitted the description of the car described in the Philadelphia police flyer.
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THEY LOOKED inside and saw the body of Miss Butts, a bullet wound in her head.
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