Frederick Small
Encyclopedia
Frederick L. Small was the convicted murderer of his wife, Florence Aileen Curry Small, in New Hampshire
. Mr. and Mrs. Small took out a joint life insurance policy of $20,000 USD on March 16, 1916 from the John Hancock Company
of Boston
. The policy was written that the other spouse would collect if one spouse died. Mr. Small was 49 and Mrs. Small was 37 years old. One premium of $1,107.60 was paid before the incident.
Her body was found in the ruins of her burnt Ossipee Lake
two-story cottage on September 28, 1916. Mr. Small had been at the cottage that evening, but was traveling back to Boston when the body was found. Mrs. Small's skull was crushed and also had a cord wrapped around her neck. She had also been shot, and there was evidence she had been chloroformed. The body would have been destroyed by the fire except for the fact that the fire had compromised the floor of the cottage. The body was found floating in the flooded basement.
At first the alibi of being in Boston was a good one, until investigators discovered an alarm clock, spark plug, fire screen, clock spring and some hairpins to make a timed arson device. Mr. Small was known to be a tinkerer who enjoyed mechanical projects.
Mr. Small offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to the murderer after he was taken into custody.
Mr. Small was employed as a stock broker in Boston. He was married three times.
In 1909 Small sued Arthur Soden
, who was the president/part owner of the baseball team, Boston Beaneaters
of the National League
, for $500,000 USD. Small claimed that Soden had alienated the affections of Small's second wife. At the time the damage amount of the lawsuit was the largest in United States history, the equivalent of almost 12 million today's US dollars. Soden was ordered to pay Small a judgment of $10,000.
Mrs. Small is currently buried in the Grant Hill Cemetery in Center Ossipee
. Through the efforts of the Ossipee Historical Society and citizens of Ossipee
, Florence Small was given proper ceremony on the 91st anniversary of her death, and her site is now identified with a marker.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
. Mr. and Mrs. Small took out a joint life insurance policy of $20,000 USD on March 16, 1916 from the John Hancock Company
John Hancock Insurance
John Hancock Financial is a loose term for a United States insurance company which existed, in various forms, from its founding on April 21, 1862, until its acquisition in 2004 by the Canadian insurance company Manulife Financial. It was named in honor of John Hancock, a prominent patriot...
of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. The policy was written that the other spouse would collect if one spouse died. Mr. Small was 49 and Mrs. Small was 37 years old. One premium of $1,107.60 was paid before the incident.
Her body was found in the ruins of her burnt Ossipee Lake
Ossipee Lake
Ossipee Lake is located in Carroll County in eastern New Hampshire, in the communities of Ossipee and Freedom. At 3,245 acres, it is the sixth-largest lake located entirely in New Hampshire. The lake is fed by the West Branch , the Bearcamp and Lovell rivers , and the Pine River...
two-story cottage on September 28, 1916. Mr. Small had been at the cottage that evening, but was traveling back to Boston when the body was found. Mrs. Small's skull was crushed and also had a cord wrapped around her neck. She had also been shot, and there was evidence she had been chloroformed. The body would have been destroyed by the fire except for the fact that the fire had compromised the floor of the cottage. The body was found floating in the flooded basement.
At first the alibi of being in Boston was a good one, until investigators discovered an alarm clock, spark plug, fire screen, clock spring and some hairpins to make a timed arson device. Mr. Small was known to be a tinkerer who enjoyed mechanical projects.
Mr. Small offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to the murderer after he was taken into custody.
Mr. Small was employed as a stock broker in Boston. He was married three times.
In 1909 Small sued Arthur Soden
Arthur Soden
Arthur H. Soden was an American executive in Major League Baseball who was the president/owner of the Boston Beaneaters of the National League and a Civil War veteran...
, who was the president/part owner of the baseball team, Boston Beaneaters
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
of the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
, for $500,000 USD. Small claimed that Soden had alienated the affections of Small's second wife. At the time the damage amount of the lawsuit was the largest in United States history, the equivalent of almost 12 million today's US dollars. Soden was ordered to pay Small a judgment of $10,000.
Aftermath of the crime
The State of New Hampshire executed Small by hanging on January 15, 1918.Mrs. Small is currently buried in the Grant Hill Cemetery in Center Ossipee
Center Ossipee, New Hampshire
Center Ossipee is a census-designated place in the town of Ossipee in Carroll County, New Hampshire. The population was 561 at the 2010 census. It is one of two major villages in the town, the other being Ossipee Corner .New Hampshire Route 16 and Route 25 bypass the village to the east...
. Through the efforts of the Ossipee Historical Society and citizens of Ossipee
Ossipee, New Hampshire
Ossipee is a town in Carroll County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 4,345 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Carroll County...
, Florence Small was given proper ceremony on the 91st anniversary of her death, and her site is now identified with a marker.