The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-11-11
Mary Churchill.
THE MISSING GIRL DISCOVERED AND TAKEN
HoNE-woRKISG IN A LAUNDRY.

THE MISSING GIRL DISCOVERED AND TAKEN
WOODWORKING IN A LAUNDRY.
An Indianapolis Qnd.) telegram Of SUM-
day says: The mystery surrounding the
disappearance OF Mary Churchill from her
home, at 81. Louis, has at length been
solved by the discovery Of the missing girl
IN this city. The circumstances connected
with her disappearance are briefly as fol-
lows:
On the evening of the 10Th OF August
last Mr.. and Mrs. James o. Churchill re-
turned from drive TO their home, at No.
2.737 Morgan street, st. Louis, and learned
that their daughter Mary was missing.
She bad taken only the clothing worn by
her at the time. and no money other than
few dollars which her purse contained.
THE SEARCH FOR MARY.
Detectives were Immediately employed.
circulars were sent out to the police and
also to detective agencies all over the coun-
try. Mr.. Churchill, who was a wealthy
merchant, spared no expense to discover
the whereabouts OF his daughters child,
but TO no purpose. She was but sixteen
years old, had been tenderly reared. and
there was no reason which could suggest
itself TO the minds OF her friends why she
should have left her home. Meantime the
gravest apprehensions were entertained
for her safety. 1t was reported that the
girl had been found murdered in New
Mexico, and detective was dispatched to
the scene OF the tragedy only to find that
the victim was not the missing girl.
OBTAINING A CLUE.
Similar reports have been investigated
with like result in many other parts OF the
country, but until ten days ago no definite
clue to the girls whereabouts was obtain
ed. About that time Colonel Churchill re-
ceived letter from his daughter, dated at
indianapolis, indicating that she was at the
time in this city and was in good hands,
but would Immediately leave, and that
search for her would be useless. Detec-
tives were at once sent to this city rs well
as representatives OF the st. Louis press.
The attention Of Superintendent Fletcher,
Of the State Hospital for the Insane, was
attracted to description OF the missing
girl in a city paper, and he saw that it cor
responded with the appearance OF a domes-
TIC at the asylum.
APPLYING FOR WORK.
This girl came TO the asylum about the
lst OF September and asked for employ
ment. She was told there was none to be
bad for her about the hospital, at which
she burst into tears and seemed greatly dis
appointed. Superintendent Fletcher was
80 iayorably impressed with the girls APP
pearance and actions that he made place
for her IN the ironing department Of the
hospital. where she has since been en-
ployed. When she presented herself at
| the hospital she had with her q copy OF the
''Life OF Marie Antoinette," and pur-
sued such a course OF reading-pre-
ferring biographies, classical works,
and books on Grecian mythology, &c
that the Superintendent was convinced
from the first that there was history con-
nected with the girl, and has allowed her
every privilege, although until last night
he never suspected her identity. she having
persisted that her name was Jennie Lock-
wood" When permitted to practice at the
piano she played the most difficult music,
and her conduct in every particular was
such as to strengthen the suspicion OF the
Superintendent that Jennie Lockwood"
the ironing girl, was the posSessor OF SUI
perior education and the petted child OF
wealthy parents.
FOUND AND IDENTIFIED.
The description Of Mary Churchill fall
ing under his observation, he at once no.
ticed the similarity, and, without approach
ing the girl on the subject. notified the
police. A journalist from st. Louis then
called at the asylum and identified the girl
fully, and, with her consent, her parents
were notified. Colonel Churchill reached
here this evening and met his daughter at
the Spencer House, the meeting being a
most affecting one. Strange TO say the
young lady positively refuses to return to
| her home permanently, but left at | / O'Clock