The Portland daily press., 1880-12-17

The telegraph announced to yesterdays
morning papers the sad death Of Miss Rebecca
Long at Maiden, Mass, by criminal malprac-
tice, and the arrest of Lewis B. Toilette for the
crime. The telegram also stated that the par
ties belonged in Portland. The latter state
ment was incorrect as they were only residents
here few years.
The particulars of the sad affair are as fol-
lows: Rebecca Long had been boarding at
No. IS Hanson street, Boston, in the family OF
Godfrey Frye, where she had but one visitor
Lewis B. Toilette. She was employed as sales
woman by Loring, Waterhouse & Co., 515
Washington street, and was so valuable an en-
ploye they estimated her services at $4,000.
Three weeks ago she did not come to the store
and had been missing since. On November
18th woman giving the name of Fannie
Long engaged board at Mr.. Joseph Wilkin-
sons in Maiden, saying she was in ill-health
and desired to recuperate. She went to Boston
daily until the 23d, when she caught cold. DIR.
French, and afterwards DR.. Towle, attended
her, but she died in few days, refusing to
name any friends OR relatives except Richard
j. Long, International Hotel, Boston. Rich
ard arrived too late for recognition, and after
her death took all her property except a
watch, left in payment for board to Mrs. Will
kinson. Suspicion was aroused as to the cause
OF her death from the statements made to the
clergyman, Rev. Mr.. Cass, who performed the
funeral service, and finally the police took the
matter up and professional examination by
Medical Examiner Sullivan showed she had
hoap vic of 11nprofnccippo1 and
harbarous operation. Detective Wade Chief
of the State Police, then took the matter in
hand and ascertained that Richard j. Long
and Lewis B. Toilette were one and the same
person, and arrested him.
Toilette said he was 70 years old Last saw
Miss Long Nov. 10, on the street. She said
she had cold and needed rest, and would go
to Maiden and consult DIR. French, whom she
knew. He next went to Maiden to her death
bed; saw Rev. Mr.. Cass and others there, and
did not object when called Mr.. Long by them.
He said he first met Miss Long in Portland in
1868, when she was employed by Mr.. Black
more, hoop skirt manufacturer. She then
entered his employ and was with him until
1876, when be want into bankrupt cy except
little time when she was in Salem. She after
wards entered the employ of John Loring,
Pemberton Square, and that of Loring, Water
house & Co. later. He could not comprehend
why letters should be sent to him at the Inter
national Hotel, Boston. under the name of
Richard j. Long, but the clerk said he had
many letters addressed him there under vari-
GUS aliases. Mrs. O'Brien, where he boarded
said two days ago he seemed overwhelmed
with grief and said he had lost dear friend.
DR.. French denied he ever saw the patient until
he was called to attend her month ago. He
filed certificate that she died from typhoid
fever and Inflammation of the bowels. Mrs
Wilkinson also claimed that Miss Long was
a perfect stranger to her. Toilette sid he was
divorced from his wife in 1876. He gave Miss
Longs age as 50.
From inquiries made by PRESS reporter yes
terday it was ascertained that Rebecca Long
was first employed in 1860 by Horace Black
more, who was hoop-skirt manufacturer in
Boston and had branch store under the Unit
ed States Hotel. This store was afterwards
called the "Dahlia Hoop-Skirt Store" and was
under the charge of John E. Fitzgerald. She
was also employed by Fitzgerald & Hodsdon,
and A. G. Olney. All of her employers testify
that she was remarkably smart salesman.
When she left one of the two above named
A----7--- 1000 Anoaoed hv Mr. t. B. Toilette
who established the well known hoop-si.irt
store on the corner of Congress street and Toll
man Place. This store had very fashionable
trade and Miss Long was great favorite, as
she was obliging to customers. In fact after
Mr.. Toilette moved his business to Boston and
established himself on Washington street
above Dover, she carried a greater portion of
their trade thither from Portland.
Miss Long must have been 40 if not IS years
of age. She did not bear the best of
regulations here, either for chastity or honesty,
If the statements of those who knew her are to
be believed. 1t is thought by some of them
that Long was not her real name, and that she
came to this country from ireland, settling
first in Marlboro, Mass, and then going to
Maiden. The others seem to agree that she
always said she came from Maiden, and it
seems curious the peple there should not have
known about her if her death was matter of
suspicion. 1t is said Toilette came originally
from near Bridgeport, Conn. Some think it
more than likely that if there was any malprac-
tice it was her own work.
Toilette was brought before the court at
Wakefield yesterday, pleaded not guilty and
was held in 200 bonds.