New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-07-19
WAS KATE ONEIIL MURDEREDi
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING HER
nrkTU
DEATH.


DEATH
Since the burial of Kate O'Neil in Pot
ter Field reports been circulated az Coney Island
thnt abe had met with foul play. Tho circumstances
surrounding her death Of such nature that II
is difficult to determine whether she committed suicide
or whether she was murdered The last perroh poSi-
lively known to have seen her awe IS Lconaiu
Knox the night Waterman at Norton q Murray hotei,
where She was employed dswasher On the night OF
Juy 10 she received permission from Mr. Edwards the
CHIEF cook, to take walk, along the beach As she
passed out Of the door, leading the beach she was asked
by the watciman where she going She repiiedi "
am going only for short walk, and VIII return IN ume
TO assist you in closing building" Not until she hao
been gone about balfanhour, did he begin To fcei
anxious. Then he spoke OF the girls absence to hrs
Edwarda vino knowing that she accustomed to take
evening walks, requested him to allow the house 70
remain omen later than usual. He compiled with
her request and did not close the hotel until an
hour efterwaid. Then he remembered mat ine
girl was in the habit Of drinking and surmisng that she
would return when she felt disposed, closed the bld
Ing and retired Nothing seen OF her until her
dead body was found Mt the other end of the Island on
Monday morning, by one OF the employees of Engeman's
Hotel John Doyle, keeper OF Engcmans bathinghouses
WAS cleaning them on Monday morning, when ne
Jaw body floating near the beach. He procured ASSIST
sncc brought 1t ashore, and informed Justice Noor
bees. The body immediately taken W 'ne
Point Comfort House where the coroner hciu "n
inquest After the inquest the remains were removed
10 the Morgue FatDnsh and from there taken to Pot
tes field II was reported the girl in the habit OF
receiving visitors who might low more about hcf
death than they would 10 tell II was also fe hat
sne might have been murdered by party OF ruans WHO
were said TO 20 down co Island every evening by the
last train.
TRIBryE reporter visited Coney Island Yesterday,
aud had IN interview with Ny Norton one OF the propre
tI, iuvi lac ri III.
ton stated that Kate O'Neil had been in hs employ
about two months, and formerly servant in the
Fifth Avenue Hotel in this city she was very industrious,
and had always ATTENDED to her duties she had never
TO his knowledge received company ~ either sex WINE
she was n his employ She only addicted to one bad
habit, indulgence in intoxicating liquors In speaking OF
tine ruians who visit the Island he stated tnat ne na
known that they iGfested one port Of the Island
more than another Ar Norton added tnat Kate every
napt or he IsI4nd: and il had often happened
ibat she did not return until late at night
In Mr. Noron's opinion, the girl was mentally der2nged
She had acted she to live with him a. though
She were so afflicted. II often became her duty 10 go
'i. ,,,ltr ,n and If was a noticeable
fact tine woman, instead OF walking on the path, al
WAYS went by Of the hOisstfich, leading over
sand hills dicult TO walk upon She was very negligent
IN her dress ana always wore long, black hair dying
behind in the breeze. Sire complained 10 one of tho
employees about month of having 20 work 10 lat9
night and threatened unless her work glouis were
shortened to drown herself.
The only person VINO claims To have seen her later than
the cmau empOle IN one OF the shIoilnA-
galleries further up the beach. This yOung man. Nathan
frmto.l, remembers distinctly ON Thursday Iignt-the
night which the girl last seen allye-sen@ nor
walking along the beach. accompanied by strange man
The mans clothes were very much wOrn ana lie was ap
parcrtly mechanic. AS they passed HIM. the woman
appeared be very good spirits laughing ana seem
Ing much something her companion was telling
her A.. watched her OF sight hDtAi!g
the man since. The reporter learned from one OF the
bathing attendants that a man. answering 10 the
above description, WAS AT one tune empoyed there Dut
was dischargei fOr inattontOu to business.
James Cusniug or Laurel Ill., l. l., who Is COUSIN %
the dead girl visited thc Coroner IS informed
him that he was her ONLY relative IN this country. Mr.
Cushing wished the rriuaus removed 10 Calvary tFue
try but Justice Voorhees, informed hil thai he would
not gave pcrlt removal nutil the cause OF te girls
death had been thoroughly Investigated. The reporter
injured Justice whether IL had Cheers 50 YORK
on m case al p;cscnt, bu Ia. declined to asW, - Only
saving that la his % InOu the girl committed suicide.