Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-10-03
zoU wAskass's FATE.
Possible Solution or u -Four Years
Hystery.


A st. Louis special says: In the
spring of 1882 Miss Missouri Watkins,
or Zou."a as she was familiarly knoro,
came TO ST. Louis from Denver, Col,
with her sister Lille. They we're on
their way to New Orleans, and while
in the city were the guests of Mr.. Isaac
Martin, No. 22i5 Gamble avenue. On
Thursday, May 18th, she went to visit an
acquaintance who lived near the Msrtio
residence. A party had been arranged
fer tbst night by Mrs. Martin, to enter.
tain the young ladies', and as Missouri
did not return to the house TO dress q
message was sent to the house where
she was supposed to be calling. TWAS
then learned that she had not been
there that day, and her friends immedi-
siely becspe alarmed. The police were
rotiiied, but tho matter did not leak out
for two days. She was between sixteen
and seventeen years old, slight, well
formed, with blue eyes and brown
hair.
1t was thought she had gone away
with some Western lover, but her slstcr
and all her friends denied repeatedly
that she had ever formed an attachment
for any one. The police worked almost
entirely upon the theory that she had
gone away Of her own motion and for
a base purpose. Her friends re-
fused TO believe that she had
no. been forcibly carried away,
and was being detained against her
will or been murdered. On the morn
ing Of Tuesday, May 30, Joseph Roy,
q fisherman, found the body OF Missouri
Watkins floating in the river, near the
foot Of Market street, Csrondelet. No
evidence was adduced to show whether
ter death was by suicide or caused by
violent means, and the case remained q
mystery, although it was believed to be
a case Of suicide.
On the 9th instant Chief-of- Police
Huebler received letter from the
Jefferson City (MO.) penitentiary in
forming bin that in May, 1882, lou
Watkins had disappeared in st. Louis,
and it was thought she had committed
suicide. If the Chief would send
good man to the penitentiary the
guard would furnish him with the
means Of getting information about
the murder Of the girl. On Septem'
her ODD letter addressed to Sergeant
j. Watkins was received by Sergeant
Frank Watkins, Of the police. Ii was
from George W. Sears, , convict. lie
said he had written the chief concern.
irg the sudden disappearance of Iou
Watkins, but he had heard nothing in
reply to the letter. lie presumed that
Sergeant Watkins was relative and
wanted him to know that he the pris-
ouer Sears could show tie spot where
he girl was thrown into the river,
rot more than 200 yards from the
tar where she was found. The
Information WAS given to Fred.
Watkins, Ct watkins u Leiber, an
orcle Of the girl. Her father, l.. A.
Watkins, Of Denver, was in the city
attending the Knights-Templsrs con-
dave. Fred. Watkins Immediately sent
for him. The girls father prepared to
20 to jefferson City last night, but an
ether letter Was received from the
Guard Keisier, dated September 9th,
who said that in bis opinion tho story
vas told by Sears to get into court,
with a view Of making his escape. Mr..
Watson. however, left for Jefferson
City tonight to investigate the matter.
Before starting be ssid that he took
10 stock in the last letter of keister,
out thinks there is more than smoke
n the story. Fred Watkins says be
links the disposition of all the oilicers
- TO discredit the stories connected
4jth III. matter. They worked so
'opg on il and followed so many
teoIies that they came to the con-
fusion that nothing more could be
gotten out Of the mystery. Mr..
Watkins has always adhered TO
The theory that his daughter was mur-
dered. 1t is not known positively who
he prisoner is, but it is believed a. the
circuit attorneys Office that i. IS
George Washington Sears (colored), who
cut q woman's throat in 1881 and on
March IA, 1852, pleaded guilty to muir
der in the second degree and was SEN
t.rced IN tho nenitentiary for life.