Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-10
MISSING MISS AVA.
A Wealthy Young Woman Who Went to
Chicago to Help the Poor.


CHICAGO, Sept. 1o.-Miss Ava, wealthy
English woman, who came to Chicago recently
to raise the standard of living in the slums, is
reported to the police as missing. She has been
stopping at the residence of the Rev. DIR. Boil
ton.
Last evening Miss Ava and Mrs. Bolton drove
to the Catholic church on West 18th street
Miss Ava entered the building and Mrs Bolton
waited for her in the carriage. Miss Ava told
her companion she only intended having few
moments talk with the priest.
Mrs. Bolton waited half hour and finally
became alarmed when Miss Ava did not return
she remembered that the missionary had spoken
OF receiving letters i'll which her lite was threat
ened and feared she had come to harm
Mrs. Bolton at once notified the police. De-
tectives who were sent out learned from the
priest at the church that Miss Ava had called
and after fifteen minutes conversation about
religious matters had gone away. All attempts
TO gain any clue to her whereabouts after that
time have thus far been fruitless.
Miss Ava came to Chicago the LIST Of last
month to carry on the work which she had &C.
CURED fame for doing in London. Several
days ago she purchased home at 34S Monroe
street, but had not occupied it.
Miss Ava is said to be very wealthy and has
devoted her time and money to INDUCING her
hobby for Summing" Her friends saw that
her crusade against wrong has made her MANY
enemies. who have threatened her life and
sworn to serve her as DIR. Cronin was treated
Francis Mingay and family. who are in charge
OF the house at 34S West Monroe street, are
very much mystifed over Miss Ava's sudden
disappearance.
Mrs. Mingay. an elderly lady. said that Miss
Ava came to her five weeks ago and requested
her to take care Of her residence at the above
number.
''Miss Ava left the house yesterday after
hp hrrno sst,,a IL.
manner. A carriage was waiting at the door
for her, and cannot imagine what has become
OF her. When she first came here she con-
tinually complained about the Catholics
and that she was afraid they would take her
life. Tuesday she received letter and when
she read it became unusually excited. From
what she said to my daughter, who waited
upon her, the letter contained threats to
do away with her. l heard her say that
she was afraid that bomb would be
placed under the house by her enemies to blow
her up. Miss Ava often said that she was
wealthy. but she never displayed any money to
confirm her story, and, as can be seen from the
appearance OF the rooms, / hardly know
whether to believe her. 1t seems strange that
she should go to to the Catholic church and
talk to the priests, as she hated the religion"
Miss Alice Mingay positively refused to say
anything about her mistress Disappearance,
and when questioned would always say she
was ignorant Of Miss Ava's doings.
Mrs. Dr. Bottom IN an interview today said:
Miss Vera Ava first made herself known to nv
husband at prayer meeting in the Centenary
Church about four weeks ago.
She impressed both my husband and myself
with the belief that she was perfect lady and
that what she said OF her experiences in the
white chapel district Of London was true
"ln appearance Miss Ava was what one would
call prepossessing. l should think she was
about thirty-eight years of age. She was a
blonde. with blue eyes, and must have weighed
10 pounds.
In her manner she never even for q moment
aroused the slightest suspicion in me that she
had any partiality for the Catholic faith, fact
appearance, and has been asked me repeatedly
because We drove to the Jesuit College.
She did not state to me the exact Cuisines she
expected to transact there and never ques-
toned her, especially when noticed she was
ayerse to telling. her mission. She was re-
ceiyed into my husbands congregation Cen
tenary Methodis3 on probation about two
weeks ago. We were all much impressed with
her zeal and Christian character.
I'VE left the house about $40 o'clock last
evening and drove to the Jesuit college. We
stopped directly before the door OF she pastor 8
| study. We had been there before and usu-
ally taced toward the west on 18th street.
This time she requested me to face east, and
did. i saw a priest receive her at the door
/ and then l waited. i must have remained
in the carriage fully two and one-balf hours
before sent the coachman to make inquiries.
| lie. in company with several priests, searched
through the house and church, believe, but
J failed to lind her. Beyond this I do not care
to say anything"