The daily gazette., 1878-05-01
From the N. Y. Herald, Tuesday.
A Strange Career.
FORTY YEARS OF WEALTH AND IsoLATIb N
"A CURIOUS FANCY FOR Dogs AND
CATS.

FORTY YEARS OF WEALTH AND ISOLATION
"A CURIOUS FANCY FOR DOGS AND
CATS.
From the premises No. 178 Grand
street, Williamsburg, were carried yes-
| terday to their final resting place the re-
mains OF an aged lady, Mrs. Robert Stem
son by name, whose history is n mixture
OF the strange, eventful and curious The
I heiress of large fortune at twenty-four.
handsome and accomplished she left her
home and friends in Scotland for some
unknown reason, and alone and unpro-
tected came to this country to begin
new life. 1t was forty years ago, and
Williamsburg, in which she settled, was
struggling village. Her resources at
the time amounted to about $50, 600, and
with portion Of 1T she built a house on
Grand street and fitted up a millinery
establishment that astonshed the resi-
dents and made even the large New
ork stores of the same business fear for
their laurels. For years she did thrlv-
ing business and her wealth rapidly nc
cumulated until she owned several
houses. She had ever been accounted
strange woman, but az her riches in
creased her eccentricity became more
marked. Friends she apparently had
none, and her acquaintances were con-
hned solely to those with whom she
came In contact in the transaction of her
business. Those who knew her best
knew her to be lady of highly refined
taste, of extensive reading, which in
cluded philosophy, astronomy and bellies
tettres, and of a large knowledge of hu-
man nature. 1t was also known that in
her early life she had studied medicine
with view to practice, but that her de-
parture from home changed her pur-
pose. What the cause of her coming
alone and friendless to America, with so
much to make life pleasant for her in
Scotland, nobody knew, but it was the
general belief that some deep seated do
Inestic trouble lay at the bottom. What
1t was she never mentioned except in
vague way that made the mystery # any
thing more impenetrable.
SECLUDED AND DIsTRUsTFUL.
Her distrust for people was stron ely
noticeable. Those who sincerely tried
to befriend her were coldly repulsed.
She lived world within herself. After
while her eccentric course and seclud-
ed habits began to tell on her business
and gradually it declined. The climax
was reached when, about fifteen years
ago, her store burned down, the work,
It was supposed, of an incendiary, and
her entire stock which, she valued at
$4,000, was totally destroyed without
PENNY of insurance. To rebuild and
start again she was forced to mortgage
her remaining property. About the
same time she made some heavily losing
dealings in real estate. The death of her
husband, whom she had married in this
country, H took place five years ago. He
left her among other things a couple of
pet dogs, which she priced very highly.
AS her resources declined her love for
the animals grew strong, and soon she
added by purchase two others. Another
pair followed, and still another, until her
rooms became sort of kennel. The
breed lid not appear to be desiaeratum
with her. Some of the animals were ex-
ceedingly mongrel but she loved them
none the less, and their food and treat
ment were of the best Soon she added
cat to her collection, and in a little
while, to keep it company, she obtained
another. A third and fourth were
speedily among her pets, and at her
death her feline family numbered fully a
iers on a retreat whenever they came
down stairs, was they description given
the writer by neighbor.
BITTEN BY ONE OF HER PETS.
Two weeks ago the last remaining
piece of real property of the eccentric
lady was sold under foreclosure, and the
same day one of her pets, a vicious black
and tan, bit her on the hand. The wound
bled profusely. and by the time the ply
slclan arrived she was very low. Since
then she has gradually sank and Satur-
day last she died, but the doctors say not
from the effects of the bite altogether, as
she was inclined to be apoplectic.
With the exception of an adopted
daughter, Mrs. Luddington, the ddcea-
sed leaves no known relatives in this
country. Her remains were taken charge
OF by Mr.. Burroughs, who for some
time past has partially attended to her
business. The cats and dogs in the mean
time remain in the home of their late
mistress, trembhngiy waiting to be ejec-
ted by the next occupant. Those who
profess to be acquainted with the busi-
ness affairs of the deceased lady say that
her net assets will not amount to over
81, 900.