Daily Republican., 1890-02-27
WOMAN VS.. WOMAN.
STRANGE DEVELOPMENTS IN
q the MccoMe CASE.
One Female Detective Employed to
watch the Wife n Outwittsd by
Another, and Confssses
Her Defeat.
From the Philadelphia Press.


WILMINGTON, Del., Feb. 26.-A very
Sensational phAss Of the McComb divorce
case WAS to-day made public BY the de-
tectives employed BY Mrs. McCom b to
prevent her from falling into an alleged
here for her husband, the young million
Seven or eight weeks ago . stylishly
sttired young woman, who Il known 10
be Mre. Cora Thurman, also Nrs. Browa,
came to this city, and after passing few
days at hotel was introduced to Mrs.
McComb, and being winsome woman,
succeeded In entering her house as Z
boarder. She ingratilted herself thor
oughly into Mrs. McComb's good will
and shared her confidence 10 the fullest
extent.
Rscsatly two pistol shots were fred
through > window and passed close to
Mrs. McComb's head. Mrs. Thurman
was called iAto the room soon alter the
pistol balls shivsred the windows, aud
her actions Mrs. McCombs distrusted.
Detectives were then employed to watch
her. They soon identified Mrs. Nc
Combs boarder, It 10 talleged, u repre-
sentative OF . Philadelphia detective
agency.
ANOTHER WOMAN BMPLoYRD.
Nrs Nsiil, . Philadelphia lady, was
next employed to get further proofs. ehe
was installed In the McComb housshold
and clevcrly drew NrA Thurner Into hel
confidence. The two women shared ths
same bed and were apparently the best o
friends. During Mn. Thurner's tempo
rary absence from her room few day
ago Mis-. Neill took occasion 10 open hel
whilom friends trunk, aad there II u al
legged, found . pistol corresponding x
the size OF the bullets fired through Mrs
McComb's window on Feb. 7, aud = boz
Of cartridges, with but two missipg. Thea,
cartridges lifted tho pistol. and were. II
said, OF the same calibrs - the ones tha
passed 90 close to Mrs. McComb's head
In the trunk was also suit Of mem
clothing corresponding TO f1t Mrs.. Thur
n@r's figure. The latter. 1t 10 stated. wa
detected In the male attire and ordere'
to quit the McComb house n once.
| Mrs. Thurn@er after leaving Mrs. Nc
Combs house went TO boarding hous
close by, commanding position enabiinl
Last night Mrs. Thurn@r and Mrs. Neil
together attended concert hero aud duI
ing tho evening the latter disclosed be
identity, and the former, It 10 alleged
fully confessed that the was . detectiv
detailed to gathe. evidence In the Ms
Comb divorce case which is now pendin
before q commissioner. She would no
however, confess TO any Of the charge
Mre. Neill claims. to have almost pos
lively fastened upon her.
i ADMITTED DsFEAT.
i But she admitted being fairly bsate
and . conversation with Messrs. Mar
! and Randall, the Philadelphis detective
expressed willingness to leave tho ci
, at once II allowed TO depart. This prop
sition was acceded to, and the woms
, took n South bound train for Baltimo
this afternoon.
Mrs. McComb 10 click In bed suiferir
rom . nervous shock, and 10 In . col
, physicians were In attendance. and vi
she has latored under for many weel
past the consequences may be seriou
the physicians say.
ri Ms. Thurner, the outwitted dete,
tive, lived here on the preteDce OF bein
an actress, resting from o season of har
work. 1t 10 said she mailed daily r,
ports of her operations to Detective Hal
who is now in jail awaiting trial for cor
spiracy.
The affair has created . great deal {
talk here, and 1t 10 generally believe
the woman has exceeded her instru,
tions in gathering evidence, a. no on
believed that either Mr.. McComb or hi
attorneys would countenance the perss
cution u the wife.