The Indianapolis journal., 1883-11-05
A Mystery Finally Solved, and the
Lost One Found.
A Missing ST. Louis Society Belle Discov-
cred as q Laundress at the Hospital
for the Insane,
The Girls Story of Her Experiences
Since Leaving Home.
Her Father Arrives and Persuades Her to
Return-Story of the GirPs Disappear
ance-Rumors and Theories.


the country will fail to remember the mysteri-
GUS disappearance from st. Louis, in August last,
of Miss Mary Churchill, the daughter of Colonel
James O. Churchill, of that city. 1t was on the
evening of Aug. 10, when the parents of the
young lady returned, about dusk, from pleas
ure drive about the city to find their child miss
ing and no clew to her Whereabouts or the man
ner of her departure She had been raised in
luxury, and every kindness that the wealth of
loving parents could lavish a petted daughter
had been bestowed without stint, and no theory
that could suggest itself suffced to furnish
reason for her absence Foul play was feared,
and the police of every city in the land notified
to be on the lookout for the missing one. De-
tective agencies far and wide apprised of the
girls disappearance and munificent rewards
offered for any information leading to her
discovery, dead or alive. Dramatic agencies
were furnished with accurate descriptions of
her, and no Effort or expense spared TO solve the
mystery surrounding her disappearance
THE SEARCH FOR THE GIRL
Detectives were employed by the frantic pa
rents, and enterprising st. Louis papers detailed
reporters, who have made it their exclusive duty
to search for the girl from the time of her de-
parture. The papers of that city were full of ac-
counts aud theories, and nothing of the kind has
created more of a sensation since the abduction
of Charlie Ross. Many so-called clews to the
girls whereabouts have been furnished her dis
tressed friends at home, but each one has
been successively followed and found to yield
nothing. Rumor had it that she had been
murdered in half-dozen cities in as many diff
ferent parts of the country, but, until week
ago, no trace of her has been discovered which
was worthy of especial attention. About that
long ago, Colonel Churchill, her father, received
a oir nd
evidently writton by her, announcing that she
was alive and in good health, that she was not
on the stage had not elOped, and was earning g
her living honorably. The letter added that it
would probably be mailed from this city, and
the envelope bore the indianapolis postmark.
Detectives we're at once sent here. ana repre-
sentatives of the St. Louis press have since been
engaged in an unt1rng search of the city
for an additional elew. All their efforts were I'M
successful however, until by a lucky chance the
missing girl was discovered to them at the State
Hospital for the Insane.
TALENTED DOMESTIC.
On the 4th of September young girl called
npon Superintendent Fletcher at the insane hos
pital and timidly inquired for work She was IN
formed that there was nothing for her to do at
the time. The announcement caused her to
burst into tears and exhibit other evidences OF
hrally tender-hearted gentleman, was struck
with the girls conduct, and. after
few additional words with her,
became satisfied that she was really
deserving, and accordingly made place for her
in the ironing department OF the laundry of the
institution. Jennie Lockwood was the name
given by the new domestic, who soon became
very general favorite. In conversation she used
the purest English and the best of grammar,
and in every particular gave evidence of the
possession of a very superior education. Dr.,
Fletcher found her engaged in reading theH'Life
of Marie AntOlnette," and when, by his interces-
he noticed that the books of her choice
were works on" Greoian mythology and
This Was an additional evidence to cor
robborate the opinion already formed and ex-
pressed by the superintendent to his family
that Jennie Lockwood had not been bred in the
sphere she was at the time occupying, and
when she seated herself at the piano and
rendered with the greatest precision and most
faultless execution the most difficult classical
music, DIR. Fletcher was more than ever con-
WINGED of the correctness of his theory concern
1ng the Identity.Of the talented domestic On
lone occasion he questioned her delicately on the
subject but she replied evasively that she had
been raised by people of refinement in East St.
Louis, aud turned the subject so quickly that il
was at once dropped and never again referred
Her habits were of the most frugal sort, and
she wore the plainest clothing, yet there was al
ways an air of superiority about the girl which
attracted the attention of all with whom she
was associated. When questioned by the nos
pital authorities as to her previous employment,
she stated thatshe had hut recently come TO In
0landp0lls, ana mad been employed at the Bruins
wick Hotel in the capacity of chambermaid prlor
to her engagement at the asylum.
The notices in the city papers of the suspected
presence of Mary Churchill in Indianapolis had
strangely enough escaped the eve of DR. Fetch
er until Saturday evening, when, chancing to
pick one from his table, his attention was at
traoted TO mention of the matter. Instantly
the thought flashed through his mind,
JENNIE LOCKWOOD is MARY CHURCHILL"
and without word to the girl he telephoned to
the police authorities that the girl was there.
Thomas J. Gallagher, of the st. Louis Globe
Democrat. who has been for many weeks en-
gagged in fruitless search for the girl, was pres
ent at the police-staton when Dr. Fletcher's
message was received, and in company with an
officer. repaired to the asylum Mr.. Gallagher
produced photograph of the missing girl and a
minute description of her appearance. ''That is
the girl" exclaimed the superintendent. "NIary
Churchill is beneath this roof" But when the
young lady was sent for the discovery
was made that she had obtained the permission of
the chief of her division, Mrs Talbot 80 visit the
city in company with ANNE Holtzen, employed
In the department., and had not vet rel urned,
The party repaired to the residence of Miss
Holtzen, No. 453 Locust street, and Mrs. Tai
bott asked for Jennie Lockwood. As soon as
Mr.. Gallagher, and without further attempt at>
concealment, acknowledged her identity. To
the representative of the Globe-DemOcrat she
told the story of her departure from ner fathers
residence.
HER DEPARTURE FROM HOME
"I knew that father aud mother would be
back from their drive about 1880" she said
''and knew that in order to get away would
have TO leave home by that time little be-
fore When the hired girl came in with the
baby, went over to Lucas avenue to look at the
chimes. to see what the right time was. The
clocks in the house not running correctly.
and was afraid to trust them. I knew I was
noticed, and the only thing that has made me