The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-01-16
MISS COOLEY'S FATE.
STORY OF A cLouDEo YOUNG LIFE.
Pennsylvania Mystery Which Battles
Solution-How Young Girl Amid
Luxuriant Surroundings Went
TO Her Death.

lHe disappearance OF MISS Nellle COOley
is still enveloped in mystery. As time
goes by, however, the growing belief is
that young life has gone out in the gloom
OF self-destruction, and that the gifted
young lady, though surrounded by every
luxury that wealth could provide, and
whose every wish was gratifed by an in
dulgent household, no longer able to battle
against the ravages Of diseased mind and
body, rashly determined to end an embit-
tered existence or, as her note expressed ii,
"to seek rest in oblivion"
Her life, though passed amid luxurious
surroundings, had been checkered by ex-
periences that might we'll affect the mind
OF one so delicate and susceptible. The
awful death of her mother, who committed
suicide when Miss Cooley was but little
girl, seemed to have cast an eclipse over
her young mind. Her mother, for some
years prior to her death, had shown symp-
toms of mental arrangement, and it APP
peared as though she had transmitted the
sad afiliction to her daughter, for, from the
time of her mothers death, Miss Cooley
was subject to frequent fits Of dependency.
The dread of her following the example
OF her mother was ever before the eyes Of
friends, who during those dread fits never
left her for an instant. From the time she
was thus deprived Of mothers care she
had not lived with her father on account Of
domestic unhappiness, but had made her
home with the family of Mr.. Nathan Rut-
ter, her grandfather Her mothers will
bequeathed to her large fortune, which
had materially increased during her mi
nority, so that when she became Of age she
was quite wealthy.
She was a graduate Of one Of the best
colleges in the State and amused her
leisure hours by writings which bore evi.
dence Of a cultured mind and vigorous in
tellect. She moved In the best society Of
this country, and her amiablo disposition
and personal beauty made her favorite
with all. Her form was slight and grace
full, and her head was crowned with rich
auburn hair. Her features were regular
and charming, her mouth small, and when
she smiled she displayed perfect set OF
small, white teeth. Her eyes were Of that
bewitching brown styled hazel, a lofty
forehead gave token Of her mental powers.
Mr.. Rutter resides in spacious mansion
on River street, the front Of which is sep
arated from the Susquehanna River only
by strip Of common about one hundred
yards in width. Miss Cooley was general
ly fond of walking by the river bank, and
even after nightfall would frequently
spend hours by the water side. On the
Sunday night Of her disappearance, De-
cember 0, she Eas alone with Miss Rutter,
the other members of the family having
gone to church. She had been gazing long
and ixedly at the river, whose dark and
swiftly flowing waters were discernable
from the windows. Suddenly she took
a copy Of Hoods poems, and turning to
"The Bridge Of Sighs," she asked her com.
panion to read the verses. Miss Rutter
gently attempted to divert her mind
from so melancholy a subject, but Miss
Cooley, closing the book, recited with
pathos the first verse, commencing:
One more unfortunate,
Weary Of breath.
Rashly importunate,
Gone TO her death.
She was last seen In her room preparing
TO retire for the night For some months
she had been in failing health both Of
body and mind, but several days before
her disappearance she had so far recov-
cred both her health and spirits that the
attendants, who had never left her, night
or day, had been dispensed with. At an
early hour on Monday morning, one OF the
family entered her room only to find IL un-
occupied. The undisturbed bed showed
that she had not slept there. Her dresses
were found untouched, and only her un-
derwear and wrapper and striped shawl
were missing. Her purse, containing a
considerable sum Of money, was found on
the bureau, but one Of her watches, sew.
eral valuable rings and locket were
gone. On toilet table, addressed TO Mr..
Rutter, was found the pathetic note which
apprised her friends that she had left
them, perhaps, forever. Mr.. Rutter and
his family were almost distracted, and the
fearful thought instantly occurred to them
that she had sought the oblivion she
wished for in the river. This thought,
however, did not deter them from active
efforts to find her II alive.
Circulars containing minute descrip-
tion of the missing one and Offering
reward for any information OF her
whereabouts were scattered broad
cast over the country, and searching
parties set out In various directions,
while the police force and private detec-
tives instituted the closest inquiries in the
city. But the river was the point where
the most eager search was made. It's
shores and islands were searched by
dozens Of boats and drags were brought
into active use. But the utmost exertions
failed to afford a single clew TO her where
abouts. On Wednesday, to facilitate the
search Of the river, two diving-suits and
experienced divers were obtained from
New York and the bed OF the river along
the whole river front was examined, the
diving being continued until stopped to.
day by the freezing over Of the
river. Meanwhile, a reward Of $1,000 had
been offered for her recovery, dead or
alive, and two New York detectives en-
gagged.
Within day or two Of Miss Cooley,s dis
appearance rIImors Of her having been
seen in various localities were rife. An
extraordinary story Of her having been
clad in male attire wandering over the
mountains was brought to the city, and
dozens of citizens started to follow up the
clew. The mysterious female was tracked
for some miles, and all trace of her was