The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-14
A Hidden History Vet To Be
UnraveIIed.
a Solitary and Aged spinster Living
Alone and in seclusion
Amid Her Wealth.
The Treasures and Ghosts in
the Cellar.
BEGINNING Of an Investigation
by the Coroner.

by the Coroner.
A ghagtly horror was unearthed on the premises
rs5 East Eighty seventh street yesterday morning.
The house has been occupied for the past I've years
by an elderly lady, Miss Wilets, whose habits OF
life were most extraordinary. Her nearest neigh
bors knew nothing Of her; some OF them living
next door TO her saw her, and she never left
her house during the day. She kept no
servant, apparently received no visitors and lived
solitary and lonely life. One man had been in
the habit OF going to her house-a Mr.. Byron STUFF;
but his visits were very rare, and were generally
made at night. The last time he was known to
come to the house was about four weeks ago. He
tried to get in at the door, but could not, and,
after waiting long time, finally asked Mr..
Sheehan, lawyer, who lives next door, to
allow him to get to the rear Of Miss
Willet's premises through Mr.. Sheehan's house.
Mr.. Sneehan did not see the proprlety Of this
wish and would not comply with 1t, and Mr.. STUFF
went away ana has not been seen near the house
SINCE The lady has not been visible Tor about five
weeks, and no light could be dlscerned In the front
or rear OF the house during tie night. For several
days the family Of Mr. Sheehan has been annoyed
by an offensive odor the origin Of which could
not be ascertaned. 1t proceeded from the
direction OF Miss Wlllet's house, and finally
became offensive that Mr.. Sheehan informed the
police in order, II possible, to have the mystery
elucidated. Captain Cluny detailed some officers
TO make the search, and yesterday morning they
came to the door Of Miss wilet's house aud en-.
deavored to gain admittance. There was no re-
Spouse TO their knocks the house being as silent
grave. The officers found 1t necessary 10 force
open the front door, and, doing so, proceeded to
the second floor back room. On entering q most
DISGUSTING AND OFFENSIVE oDOR
fnd them m
the dead body of Miss willetts lying on the floor
on her back, her head resting against the leg OF
piano which stood in the corner OF the room. They
reported the facts TO Captain Cherry, who notified
Coroner Herman and his deputy, DR.. Joseph
Cushman, who Immediately repaired to the house.
On entering the room DR.. Cushman found the body
lying on the ioor as above described; number Of
rats were seen running about the room and away
from the body, which was found in a very advanced
stage OF decomposition. The head and neck were
denuded OF nesh evidently having been
EATEN AWAY BY RATS.
The body was nearly alive with worms, death
evidently having taken place between four and
i've weeks ago. The room In which the body was
found was about fifteen feet in length by twelve
feet in width, no carpet upon the noor the furni-
ture in the room being crowded into one corner.
The body ,, was ordered to- the Morgue;
the officers made thorough search OF the
premises. In the back parlor, on the first floor.
were found number Of deeds OF property made in
favor Of Mr.. j. Stei also title deeds, bank books
showing deposits Tor large amounts IN the MechaD-
les and Traders and other banks; also envelope
containing papers addressed to Mr.. Stein, 1873 Bow
cry. Several trunks were found to contain costly
furs, &c. Every thing in the house denoted neg
lect. The furniture, which was mostly OF ancient
but elegant manufacture. was
COVERED WITH DUST AND CoBwEBS.
In the basement heaps OF ashes apparently the
accumulation OF years, was found slowed away in
and m fha haa In mo Etn0 mir in
the neighborhood regarding the habits of deceased
It was learned that she was q very eccentric
keting and for the transaction Of other
eS ana voSSs eSas
Inquiry made OF the grocers In the vicinity re-
vealed the TACT that she was In the habit Of buying
days. Among her purchases she included both
smoking and chewing tobacco, small portions of
which were found lying In different parts OF the
rooms, as also small amounts Of money wrapped
separately In bits OF paper
THE PAPERS FOUND.
From the large number OF legal documents and
papers 1t Is believed that the deceased was the
executrix OF the estate of Mr. Ster and others.
There were rumors afloat in the neighbornood tnat
her death had been caused by violence, but, rom
an external examination made by DR.. Cushman,
nothing could be seen to justify the suspicion. The
doctor will, however, make shorongh postmor.
tenn examination at the Morgue and ascertain. If
possible the real cause or death.
1t was ascertatned that the owner OF the house
70 Mrs Handy, residing at AZ Elliott place, Brook
light upon the life and character OF this eccentric
lady. Deceased, from papers found in her room,
Is supposed to have nephew named Byron stien,
supposed from certain mysterious movements
observable at times that the house OF Miss Wiett
vas
THE RESORT OF CoUSTERFEITERs
or other depredators on the public; but no evil
dence of the kind has been SHOWN, and probably
has no foundation in TACT. From the fact that
there was large quantities OF music aud two pianos
In the house 1t is thought deceased was a lady OF
within would show that she was not good house
keeper.
Coroner Herman examined Mr.. Matthew ].
Fogerty, OF 1870 East Eighty -seventh street, who
deposed that Miss WnIett resides In the house
where she died for five years; she seemed TO be
woman OF very retired habits and seemed indi5-
posed to make any acquaintances among the
neighbors: nave seen her about six times during
the 1--WE years on one OCCASION about two years
ago she fell down the stoop and he ran TO ner as
sistance; she was never seen TO go IN or out her
house in the day time. but she was In the habit OF
going out between nine and ten O'Clock at night,
during which she would do her marketing; heard
that men were In the habit OF calling at the mouse
late at night; have not seen her about for FIVE or
six weeks; heard OF the finding her dead body tins
TESTIMONY OF MR.. SIBERIAN.
James M. Sheehan, OF 1877 East Eighty-seventh
street, testified that deceased maiden lady, had
lived at 1856 East Eighty seventh street for I'VE
years she lived apparently alone, the house being
shut up all Gays she was visited occasionally
St night by young man ma ca age9 p spont
have never been inside the house and never
saw any one go In there; Mrs. sheehan has often
heard noises from the house as OF several persons
In conversation MT. 6heeha1 suspected that some
thing wrong was going on In the house; about
I'VE weeks ago the young man referred TO- whom
deceased called her nephew Byron, came about
halfpast ten O'Clock p M and pulled the door bell,
but no one responding, he asked permission OF the
fused; the You're man remarked, perhaps she has
one OF her bad headaches and the devil could not