The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-20
TIE LADY IN BLACK.
The Mysterious Suicide at the
Stevens House.
Solving the Mystery-En Eventful Life and
Tragic Death-Shs Had Been an Actress.

Tragic Death-lhs Had Been an Actress.
AT last the mystery surrounding the death Of the
lady In black, who committed suicide at the
Stevens House, Broadway, on the I'd day OF May
by inhaiing chloroform has been cleared up by the
identification OF the unfortunate woman. since her
death the Cororers have received letters from Chi
cago. Cincinnati and other cities, asking for
description OF the woman; besides which great
many persons have visited the Morgue TO see the
remains. with the view OF identification: but none
OF them could recognize the BODY as the lost
one for whom they were in search. Although 1t
was almost certain That sad history was
committed with her tragic death II was feared the
body would never be identified and claimed, and
thus the acts be forever kept hidden from the public
view. Alter the remains had been kept at the
Morguc long as possible for Inspection they were
RESPECTFULLY INFERRED
by charitable hands, that il desirable the future
they could be reclaimed by surviving relatives. thus
the matter remained till yesterday morning, when
Miss Julia Fitzgerald, young lady living at no 353
West Thlryfifth street. called at the Coroners' office
and made inquiries concerning lho lady VINO had
died at the Ste House, al the same time describ
ing her person and effects very mlnutely. MISS
Flzgera&, although lady Of educatloa and accus-
TONED To reading the papers, owing to her arduous
duties where she employed. had perused the morn
ing Journals but little for three weeks past she
stated that the lady for whom she was
IN search Mrs. Harrington, whose maiden
name was Eliza V. Selden, late of No. so East
Twenty-second street. Mrs. Harrington left her
house on Monday morning, the LIST inst. remarking
that she gong 20 PnIladelpn,a, llom thence 10
New Orleans. and possibly to other cities,
IN SEARCH OF HER HUSBAND,
ANDREW Harrington, man OF fepoited sporting
procllyties whom she had seen Tor Two or three
years. MASS Fitzgerald, who was an OLD ana con-
0dentia friend OF MIS- Harrington, had ar
ranged 10 forward her money 10 Philadelphia
besides wucI nad friends IN the cities, the pro-
posed wishing whom she expected would advance
such iulas as might Dc needed 10 detray travelling
expensed. AS MRS harrington had PROMISED 10
write TO Miss Fitzgerald The latter thought strange
she did not receive letter. Tut entertained no fears
received note from Mr.. Gross. teacher in grammar
school rs Ia Fortietn street, near Eighth avenue
sxArE HAS GONE ON LONG JOURNEY
and you VIII never see her again, as she is dead"
Mrs. harrington was well acquainted with Mr..
GrOdsI from whom she had taken lessons III elocu-
ans SAD news impaired BY Mr. Gross was heavy
blow to Miss Fitzgerald, who regarded the absent
lady as the purest ana best trend she mad on earth
noble, seli-sacrincing woman, whose character
Miss Fitzgerald, 10 relieve her ovcr.anxious mind,
called al the Coroners' olhce Tor information, ana
Hald she could readily recognize the satchel carried
by Mis-. harrington, as she had purchased IL herself
aud Expressed ner ability to identify the watch and
travelling. Mrs. Harrington lett a valuable watch
QlOkpOCKebS Size look IL WIN uer. On Oelug
6nOwn the ELECTS MISS fitzgerald
INSTANTLY IDENTIFIED
them as belonging TO Mrs. Harrington, and burst
Into tears saying she had lost her best mend and
the world noble and prOud-splfted woman. She
was almost InconsOlable to lhink Ars. Harrington
had died among Strangers, unattended Dy any one
10 Offer q word OF consolation In her last moments.
Why MIS- Harrington should have taken ner own
11fe MISS Fitzgerald Is utterly unable TO say, she
was never heard to make any threats OF tnar kind
ana was usually pleasant and not given TO meIan-
ch0ly.
Mrs. Harrington. was born near Cincinnati, Ohio
md Icing elt an orphan at an early age was en-
irusled to the care OF Mrs. Sarah SOUTH an excel
lent lady, who reared her as one OF her own Gull
0ren. Subsequently the deceased married against
Inc wishes and advice VI her trends as they re.
garded Harrington unit match for her. Oh
count OF his reputation as sporting man. They
leaa
WANDERING AND UNCERTAIN LIFE,
visiting various cities ana ten years ago or more
yiousy had some experience on the stage. secured
an engagement al the Winter Garden theatre, ana
In the character she assumed maze decided nit.
Having concluded her engagement IN New York
Mrs harrington appeared on the boards s Of
three years she has lived IN This city,
,casaonai donations IRON absent trends. For the
last lew years Mrs. Harrington had not enjoyed good
health, but she bore up like true woman under the
ental and PHYSICAL suiierlngs which oppressed her.
FOR lady OF her personal charms and rare accom-
plisnments she deserved O better fate.
MISS Fitzgerald states that the deceased had an
nncle living in the upper part OF the CITY, out was
too proud to make nelsell known anu Call on hlm IN
the hour OF need. She is said to have been
SECOND COUSIN TO AR. LEWIS CAsS,
OF Detroit sOn OF General Cass, the deceased states
man, and Miss Fitzgerald says her lamented friend
was niece OF Mr.. Selden, formerly Lieutenant Gov
ernur OF this State.
/ day or TWO ago Mr.. Allen, proprietor Of the
Stevens House, where Mrs. Harrington terminated
her earthly career, received letter from Mrs. sarah
South, dated at Mulberry, OHIO, May H. asking for
Information concerning the death at his house.
which she saw noticed In one or the Cincinnati pa
pers. In the letter Mrs. SCUM says The person re-
1ered to answers the description OF girl she raised
from childhood, having neither
FATHER, MOTHER, BROTHER NOR SISTER,
who LEFT her 1T the age or twenty-five, and wan
dered from place to place, sometimes being in Cin-
cinnau, then Louisville, st. LOUIS New York anu
ported herself married 10 IL man named Harrington
In ST. LOUIS and aiterward signed her name Kate Z.
Harrington,
HER REAL NAME
beiog Eliza v. Seden. The last the writer heard
or her WAS about two years ago In New York, when
Bhe was understood 70 be employed about theatres.
She had scar her collar bone, near the neck
statement OF MISS Fitzgerald Eliza was thirty-siX
years Of age Mrs. South was also anxious TO Know
whether the body mad been claimed and what dis
p0sluon had been made OF IL.
In conclusion, Mrs. South says ar the person proves
to be Eliza) "a have labored long and an yousy TO
instruct and lead her In the paths OF truth and
piety."
In all probability the remains of Mrs. Harrington
will now be Gained by some OF her relations, and
removed To another resting place. The effects left
bv deceased In her room are In charge OF Miss Fltz
gerald.
IMPORTANT TO SHIPPERS BY EXPRESS CON-.