Morning journal and courier., 1880-06-08

 Commemorative Service at the congre-
 gational Church-The Letter from Mrs.
 Ridgeway.
 On Sunday special service in memory of the two women so foully murdered at Avon was held at the Avon Congregational church. The coroner's inquest was resumed yesterday at store in the town kept by B. c. Kel- logg, Justice Woodford acting as coroner. As before said, the Hartford detective who visited Mrs. Florence Ridgeway, of New York city, returned completely satisfied that there is no reason for suspecting her of any knowledge of the crime. The following pa thetic letter was written by Mrs. Ridgeway to the Hartford Chief of Police:
 l, NEW YORK CITY, June 3, 1880. To the Chief of Police:
 Sir-I am so mortified over the terrible tragedy that has happened in my family that I am completely shattered by it. I am so overcome with surprise, grief, etc., that 1 hardly know or can realize the horrible reve- | lations made through the press. I have been shamefully misrepresented by the Courant, scandalously and untruthfully. I have al l ways worked for living yes, and worked hard at times, too, but am poor, struggling for my daily bread. Were I rich woman and had powerful influential friends, my name would not have been so freely and un- truthfully circulated. I will say I can count for every day. and hour since I left Avon. am, and have been, at service for years and am now employed in a family where have three small children to take care of, and have more than am able to do. But those who have so heartlessly lied about me I leave to higher power. Now about my aunts Mrs. Avent took me when was years of years, and for several years T fo11 o% 1a,.b have the marks of her in-treatment of me on my body now, and they will remain as long as live. did dis like her and not without just cause, but my only desire was to re- main away from her and have nothing to do with her whatever. Aunt Emily (AIrs Chidsey) was an exceedingly lovely, good Christian woman and one of the best friends and truest that had in this world The af- fair is mystery to me Who could have had the heart or proyocation to have mur- dered poor Aunt Elm, who never wronged human being in all her life, is something I cannot fathom. Mrs. Avent was supposed, I believe, by some to have money most always in the house. I am of the opinion that that was the real object of the murderers -
 was in the habit when I was there last winter of coming there at all hours through the day on Sunday, sometimes di- rectly after breakfast. He was we'll acquaint-
 
 around Avon. There are some dissolute characters there; look well to them. I have no tangible clue at all; only my suspicious. I have thought over all I know and have read, and I am of the opinion that she and Aunt Elm were not murdered on account of their wills, but either through revenge, or more probable still, for ready money, supposed to be kept in the house. I pray God their cruel murderer will be found and made to pay the heavy penalty of the law. Sir, you are a stranger to me, but do, beg of you, all that you can to un- rayel that horrible mystery. There are two rooms off the parlor, one clothes press Search the trunks there. Mrs. Avent usu- ally had two pocketbooks. If she really had money twas probably in a small black trunk in that room
 am so shattered, confused and broken hearted over Aunt Elm. s terrible death that am unfitted for everything.
 l shall remain where am as I have not got the means to leave here and I have, confess, no desire to go near that house, where last saw them alive and well. Any thing that I can do to help in this matter shall be only too glad to do. But I have no 1 desire to go to Avon, forno amount of money would induce me to remain in that dreadful 1 house! My nervous system is completely shattered already. One thing more. Mrs. Avent used to talk hard of some person in -, and she may have made enemies in I that way. I shall think it has been done for either money or else revenge, but think the | will had nothing to do with their deaths.
 It was done by some one well acquainted l there. believe no stranger ever murdered | these poor women. I am married, and have my marriage certificate in my possession I
 was married the 3d day of January, 1870, to
 John Richard Ridgeway, at 221 West Eff teenth street Rev. MT. Matthews performed
 the ceremony, in the presence of a number ] of witnesses. I have never drank glass of liquor in my life have never robbed or mur- dered or seriously tried to wrong any one l unjustly, and I can't be at service all the time mostly and be walking the streets for 1 immoral purposes at the same time. am with this family some three weeks, in which | time I have been out only twice for my own pleasure! In haste. Do all you can in the
 matter. Yours respectfully,
 MRS. FLORENCE RIDGEwAY,