The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1873-07-31
A HORROR OF HORRORS.

A CHASTITY horror was unearthed on TIL
premises l35 East Eighty seventh stree
on Sunday l3 inst The house has beer
occupied for the past five years by at
elderly lady, Miss Willets, whose habit
of life were most extraordinary. He
nearest neighbors knew nothing of her
some of them living next door to he
never saw her, and she never left he
house during the day. She kept nc
servant, apparently received no visitor;
and lived a solitary and lonely life Ont
man had been in the habit OF going to hel
house, Mr.. Byron Stuff but his visit,
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 Wille;'s premises through
Dir. Sheehan's house. Mr.. Sheehan did
not see the propriety of this wish and
would noE comply with it. and Mr. Stuff
went away and has not been seen near the
house since. The lady has not been
visible for about five weeks, and no light
could be discerned in the front or rear OF
the house during The night. For several
days the family of Mr.. Sheehan has been
annoyed ty an offensive odor, the origin
OF which could not be ascertained 1t
proceeded from the direction of Miss
Willct's house, and finally became so
offensive that Mr.. Sheehan Informed the
police in order if possible, to have the
mystery e lucidated. Captain Cluny detail
ed some officers to make the search, and
yesterday morning they came 10 the door
of Miss Wiliet's house aud eudeavored to
gain admiltance. There was no response
to their knocks, the house being as silent
as grave. The officers found it necessary
to force upon the front door, and, doing
SO, proceeded to the second floor back
room. On entering a most
DISGUSTING AND OFFENSIVE oDOR
greeted them on making search they
discovered the dead body OF Miss WiIlet's
lying on the floor on her back, her head
resting against the leg of piano which
stood iu the corner of the room. They
reported the facts to Captain Cherry, who
notified Coroner Herman and his deputy,
Dir. Joseph Cushman, who Immediately
repaired 10 the house.
On entering the room De. Cushman
found the body lying on the floor, as
above described a number Of rats were
seen running about the room aud away
from the body, which was found in a very
advanced stage Of decomposition The
head and neck were denuded of flesh,
evidently having been
EATEN AWAY BY RATS.
The body was nearly alive with worms,
death evidently having taken place be-
tween four and FIVE 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 floor, the furni
ture in the Toom being crowded into one
corner. The body was ordered to the
Morgue, alter which the Coroner, his
deputy and the officers made thorough
search of the premises. La the back
parior, on the first floor, were found a
number of deeds of property made in
favor Of Mr.. j. Steif, also title deeds,
bank books showing deposits for large
amounts iD the Mechanics and Traders
and other banks also an envelope con-
tiaining papers addressed to Mr. 6teiff,
l83 Bowery. Several trunks were found
to contain costly aud elegant ladies wear
ing apparel consisting of furs, &c. Every
thing in The house denoted neglect The
furniture, which was mostly OF ancient
but elegant man ulacture, was
COVERED WITH DUST AND coBwEBs.
In the basement heaps Of ashes, ap
parently the accumulation of years, was
found slowed away in closets and on The
hearth. On making inquiries in the
neighborhood regarding the habits Of de
ceased, it was learned that she was very
eccentric woman, rarely If ever ventur
ing out in the daytime, bat going abroad
to do her marketing and for the transac-
ton Of other business late at night, always
going out yelled and studiously avoiding
everybody. Inquiry made of the grocers
in the vicinity revealed the fact that she
was in the habit Of buying enough
provisions at once to last her for several
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 docu
ments and papers it is believed that the
deceased was the executrix Of the estate
of Mr.. Stieff and others There were
rumors afoat in the ncighborhood that
her death had been caused by violence,
but, from an external examination made
by Dir. Cushman, nothing could he seen
to justify the suspicion The doctor will,
however, make thorough post mortem
examination at the Morgue and ascertain,
if possible, the real cause of death.
1t was ascertained that the owner of
the house is Mrs. Handy, residing at