Los Angeles herald., 1891-09-11
DROPPED FROM SIGHT.
ANOTHER MYSTERIOUS DISAP-
PEARANCE IN CHICAGO.
Miss Ava, the Eccentric "Slums" Mission
ary, Enters Catholic Church to Pray
and Is Seen No More-The Police I'm
able to Obtain Clue.

CHICAGO, Sept. 10.-Miss Ava, a
wealthy English woman who came TO Chi
cago recently to raise the standard Of liv-
ing in the slums, is reported to the police
as missing. She had been stopping at the
residence of Rev. DR.. Bolton. Last
evening Miss Ava and Mrs. Bolton
drove to the Jesuit college. Miss Ava
entered the building, telling her COM
panion she only intended having few
minutes conversation with a priest.
Mrs. Bolton waited half an hour, and
finally became alarmed when Miss Ava
did not return. She remembered that
she had spoken of receiving letters in
which her life was threatened, and feared
she had come to harm. Mrs. Boil
ton notified the police. Detectives 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, thus far,
have been fruitless.
Miss Ava is said to be very wealthy,
and has devoted her time and money to
indulging her hobby for Summing"
Friends say her crusade against wrong
made her many enemies who have
threatened her life. She came to Chi
cago the first of last month, to carry on
the work for which she had acquired
fame for doing in London. Several days
ago she purchased a house on the west
side. Francis Mingay and family,
who have charge of the house, are
much mystifed over the disappearance.
Mr.. Mingay said he could not imagine
what had become of Miss Ava. When
she first came here, she continually
complained that she was afraid the
Catholics would take her life. On Tues
day she received a letter, and when she
read it, became excited. Mingay has
no idea why she should have gone to
the Catholic church.
Mrs. DIR. Bolton, in an interview, said
Miss Ava was received into her hus-
bands congregation (the Centenary
Methodist) on probation about two
weeks ago. They were much i'm
pressed with her zeal in missionary
work and her Christian character. Mrs.
Bolton said she had accompanied Mrs
Ava to the college a number of times,
| but there was nothing in the young
lady's life to show that she was in any
way partial to the Catholic religion.
Miss Ava never told Mrs. Bolton the
object of her visit to the college, and
the latter never asked. Mrs. Bolton
said that when Miss Ava disappeared
she waited at the college door for fully
two hours and half, and when she did
not appear she made an inquiry, which
was fruitless.
Father Fitzgerald, president OF he
Jesuit college, said this evening
about 8 O'Clock last evening Father
Kelley, who is pastor of the church con-
nected with this institution, informed
me that he had been paid a visit by q
lady shortly after Z o'clock, and had
after the interview led her to the
church connected with the building
that she expressed a desire to enter,
and that he left her in the church. He
noticed her carriage still at the door
and at my suggestion we sought for hel
in the church. The coachman appear
ing about that time, and expressing
fears for Miss Avas's safety, we made g
thorough search vf the entire church
but found no trace of her,"