it seems mary beth was investing heavily in new york banking at this time but an altercation had occurred between her and a cousin in sum , he did not believe mary beth 's plan of action would work she thought it would he sought to undercut her plan without her knowledge she appeared in new york , in his office , and tore the pertinent papers from his hands and threw them into the air , where they caught fire and burnt without ever touching the ground she then warned him if he ever tried to cheat his own blood again , she 'd kill him he then told this story over and over again compulsively to anyone and everyone who would listen , effectively ruining his reputation and destroying his professional life people thought he was crazy he committed suicide by jumping out of the office window three months after mary beth 's appearance to this day the family blames mary beth for the death , and speaks of her and her descendants with hatred .