Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1883-09-27
The Stratford Mystery.

The latest Connecticut mystery is
the most mysterious of all. Within a
few years number of women have
been murdered in that so-caled "land
of steady habits" and the murderers
have either never been arrested or
have gone free after sensational trials,
in which wealth and personal influence
triumphed over justice.
The killing Of Rose Amber near
S.ratford appears to be Il genuine
mystery, bathing all attempts at inves-
tigation. No one doubts that she was
brutally murdered, and the crime has
thoroughly aroused curiosity and ere
ated intense excitement in New Eng
land. But nearly two weeks have
passed and yet the authorities are
wholly in the dark regarding the
tragedy. Every theory fails.
The story reads like a romance.
Rose Amber was young woman Of
prepossessing appearance. She had
been married. Her husband abused
her and she obtained a divorce from
him. She was courted by William
Lewis, who lives short distance from
Stratford, and they became engaged.
He was happy in his choice and was
building a house in anticipation of
their marriage. One week ago last
Sunday night Rose went to see him
Lewis resides with his parenS-and
left the house alone between . and 10
O'Clock TO return home. She had
frequently done SO before. The night
was dark, but her way lay over a
familiar and much-travcled road She
was not again seen alive. About an
hour after her departure from the
Lewis residence people living along
the road heard Il scream, which they
supposed was that of n screcchOwl, and
thought nothing of it. Next morning
her body was found behind wall at
the side of tho road. Her appearance
indicated desperate struggle. There
were marks of violence nj her throat.
She died from strangulallon.
The detectives at once began to spin
theories. Lewis was suspcclcd; but
when the facts were known it seemed
Il cruel suspicion. There had been no
disagreement Between Rose and her
lover. Then it was whispered that
Amber, her former husband, had com
mitted THE deed; but evidence is not
lacking that Amber had the kindc,t
feelings for her; besides, Amber was
not in that part of the state at the
time. Suspicion rested on u young
negro, but it was unreasonable, fOT
there were 10 circumstances connect
ing him with the crime which might
not as well impicate hundred others
People began to gossip, also, about 4
man named Curtis, respectable citi.
zen Of Slrattord One detective heard
that the bamboo cane carried by Curtis,
which has not been seen sincethe night
Of the murder, had been found on II
fence near the scene of the tragedy;
and he understood that there were
some scratches on the back Of one OF
Curtis hands. These things need con-
frmation. Curtis is indignant that his
name should bO associated with the
crime. Even those who talk rs ii they
suspected him find it impossible, ap-
parently, to assign motive. He knew
Rose, but for all anybody seems to
know he had no more reason to kill
her than had any of his ncighbors,
Time may unrayel the mystery and
place the murder in the hands of the
authorities. He may escape convic.
ton, as Others have lately done in Con-
iawycTss are Tf abld ' To- dcvlsc. .' @ noe RSsa "
Ambcr's fate should at least impress
upon young women the important les
son that it is unsafe for them TO VEN
ture out at night unattended.