Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-09-26
THERE IS A MYSTERY

concerning the manner in which she died; but
there is not single person living who can ex-
plain it. Mr.. Wood went down stairs soon after
his wife did, but was unable to find her. He
searched through the parlor, dining-room and
kitchen without finding her.
Then he went to the basement, but still he
could see nothing of her. Finally, as he turned
towards the door leading upstairs he discovered
smoke creeping along between the joists, max
ing its way towards the window. He then
THOUGHT THAT THE HOUSE WAS ON FIRE,
but did not for q moment imagine that his wife
was being consumed in the flames. Looking to
see where the smoke was coming from, Mr.. Wood
arrived at the pantry which is in the basement.
The pantry is a small dark room situated d.
rectly beneath bay window on the west side
Of the house. The door leading to this room
seemed to be issuing from it,
leaving no doubt in Mr.. Woods mind that that
was where the fire was. He tried the door but
it was closed so tightly that some exertion was
required to open it. He at last succeeded in
forcing the door open and then his eyes met
HORRIBLE SIGHT.
His wife was lying on the floor with her
clothing in flames The half-crazed husband
quickly caught her up and removed her from
the pantry and tore the burning clothing from
her body. She was then alive, but was appar-
Without losing moments time Mr.. Wood
fastened for physician and soon returned to
the house with DR.. Eaton, but the unfortunate
woman was dead before they arrived.
MR.. wooDs THEORY.
Mr.. Wood thinks that his wife went into the
pantry and that it being dark she lighted a
match and accidentally set fire to her clothing.
The mystery about the affair is the fact tina,
the door was so tightly closed that an outcry,
If any was made by the woman, could not have
been heard, nor could enough smoke escape
from the room to arouse the inmates of the
house in time to save her life.
The police learned of the death and notified
the coroner. Mr.. Wood is clerk in the office
OF the geological survey. The funeral of the
unfortunate woman will take place at o'clock
tomorrow.
AN INVESTIGATION.
Upon Investigation it was found that there
was can Of coal oil on one Of the shelves.
Beneath it was pile Of kindling. 1t is though,
thas some of the oil had leaked from tine
| can and saturated the wood; that Mrs. Wood
lighted a match and accidentally set fire to the
| oil; that she then fell upon the wood pile and
| inhaled the blaze before she could make an
cutlery: Her face and body were terribly
| burned.
Coroner Patterson viewed the body, and
after aseertaining the facts gave certificate Of
accidental death.
Arrival Of the New Chinese Minister.
| Tsui Kwo Wing, the new Chinese minister tc
the United States, with his suite, arrived in
the city last night. There were twenty.
five in the party, including the minister's wife
! and son, a boy twelve years old; the wife Of
MIR. Wong, one of the attaches; swo maids in
waiting upon the ladies, and Mr.. Lee, chief in
| terpreter. They were met at the depot by Mr.,
Chang Yen Hoon, the present minister, and hii
full suite. Messrs. Hoon and Ying and the lat
ter's wife and son were driven to the
| Chinese legation on Dupont circle, bu,
the others will remain at the Arlington
| until the departure OF tho present occu
pants of the legation house. Chang Yen Hoon
accompanied by his cousin and Shu Cheon Pom
| first secretary Of legation, will leave for home
| next Tuesday by way Of Paris. The others OF
most Of them win return to China via San Fran.
CISCO
Tsui Kwo Ying win be presented to Secretary
Blaine next week. His stay in Washington d
limited to three years, that being the term Of
ONCE for Chinese diplomat The minister
| and Mr.. Lee went out for drive today and
were q The legation rosideuce for vhiln