Florence Varner Devastated When Jury Rules She Had Affair, Feb. 18, 1921

Greensboro, Feb. 28—Mrs. Florence C. Varner, wife of H.B. Varner of Lexington, who was found guilty in Federal court Saturday of having maintained improper relations with Baxter McRary and whose suit against her husband for a part of his property ended adversely, is in a deplorable physical and mental condition at the Glenwood Park sanatorium here.

Dr. W.C. Ashworth, specialist in neurology and proprietor of the institution, says that Mrs. Varner has refused all food for the past three days and that she is determined to end her life. Three glasses of malted milk have been forcibly given her but she declares her determination to eat nothing more. Her mental faculties are also deranged, Dr. Asheworth says, and she is unable to talk coherently. She mutters a great deal and in a comatose condition, she reiterates her innocence of the terrible charge under which she was found guilty.

Dr. Asheworth treated Mrs. Varner some time before the trial for nervousness and apparently had gotten her in fine physical condition for that ordeal. Her bravery and valor during the week was frequently commented on, at no time giving evidence of being in the least agitates over the affair. She appeared confident, in high spirits and stoutness of heart.

However, when the verdict of the jury was announced to her, her nerves totally collapsed again, Dr. Asheworth says, and today she can hardly be recognized as the same woman who was in the court house last week.

There is a great deal of sympathy here for the unfortunate woman. She is a stranger in the state, having no relatives here. Her mother lives in Salt Lake City and these peculiar environs have attracted sympathy for her from those especially who have insistently maintained that she was not guilty as charged in the complaint of Mr. Varner.

From The Charlotte News, Feb. 28, 1921