The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1884-02-16
INVOLVED In MYSTERY.
Strange Story Of a Beautiful Young
Lady.

tincinned vows Jo0fnhts
A News Journal reporter, in his
wandering yesterday, discovered a
case Of considersM mystery, and
consequently of some interest. |
Whether it 10 case of the cruel
Abandonment of its mother of beau
tiful two months old child, or another
instance of misplaced confidence by an
unfortunate young lady, or the shrewd
scheming ofa deprsved woman is an
open question, for the facts in the case
warrants leaning toward any theory.
A comedy young lady gives birth to
a beautiful girl baby, and this to the
great surprise of everybody around
her. The child is given out to col.
ored woman; the mother suddenly
disappears, leaving no trace behind
her, and subsequent events only tend
to make the mystery darker.
About the 1st of November last w.
w. Moody, of this city. was called
upon by bright faced young lady,
who stated that she wished to join his
class in dressmsking. lie gave her
his conditi ms, and she promptly paid
him $50, the tuition fee charged. She
gave her name as Mrs Fannie st.
Clair, a widow, aud her residence at
Humboldt, Tenn. She was neatly
and becomingly dressed, and altogeth
or of very attractive appearances.
Her quiet and ladylike conduct at the
school soon m de her favorite, and
in short time her company was
sought by her classmates, although
she rather Stunned than courted the
society of her associates. There was
nothing strange or unnatural about
her physical proportions, and no one
dreamed tor q moment that she was
shortly to become mother. About
three weeks after her arrival the
household was startled one morning
about day break by q loud call from
the lady's room. 1t being responded
to, a bright, healthy baby was found
ny her side. DR.. Smith was hastily
sum noned, but his services, aside
from prescribing for the mother, was
unnecessary. The infant was turned
over to colored woman living at No.
233 East Sixth street, named Lizzie
Whiteman, and the mother made an
explanation which, to Mr.. Moody and
his wife, was satisfactory. She con-
tinued at Mr.. Moody's establishment
until = day or two after Christmas,
when she left, according to her state
msnt, for Humboldt, Tenn, she be-
ing escorted to the train by class
mate. The colored woman was told
to take care Of the child until she
heard from the mother, but thus far
no tidings have come, and all letters
have been returned unopened.
A postal card, which was delivered
at Mr.. Moody's house, added to the
mystery. The message on the back
of the card and the address was in diff,
ferent handwriting, the stamp was
not cancelled, and their was no post.
mark. The message was dated "De-
cember 49," and was signed your
anxious mother. S. Il. B." 1t was
written in very efectionate vein,
and kindly chided the daughter for
her failure to write, and for keeping
her whereabouts mystery. A letter
was beseechingly asked for, and her
father, it said, had given up all hopes
Of ever seeing her again. In addition
TO this she was begged to return home.
Not knowing where the postal wal
from, of course there could be no re.
ply made to it. While in the city
the young mother frequently spoke
of Epps Station and Birmingham
Ala, and Athens, Tenn, but thus fal
no information could be CLEANED from
either quarter. Upon the whole tn,
affair is indeed strange one.