Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-08-20
PROSECUTED ANNA
MEETS HIR LOVER LONG AFTER HI IS
DEAD.
Mss Hanger SEES George Smith in Bis Coffin and is
Afterwards Presented BY Him-Hs
Loved Hr TOO Much to
Remain Dead.

al
liamsburg. His family comprises hi:
wife aud two daughters. The youngest
of these, Annie, is sixteen years of age.
She is an exceedingly pretty girl, of the
extreme blonde type.
Annie's bedroom is on the second
floor OF the house In the front. Here is
big closet, in which she keeps hel
wardrobe.
On Saturday afternoon the family
were away from home. On their return
they found that some one had entered
the house and stolen two gold necklets
and three. gold rings. The jewelry was
taken from a room in the rear OF the
house.
Annie, on hearing that burglars had
been at work, ran to her room to see II
they had visited her apartments. She
came down stairs In few moments
with very white face.
Mammal she gaSped out. "Oh,
mamma, they have cut my clothes all
to piecesw
1t was true. The burglars mad
ripped and cut TO shreds no less than
twenty-one gowns.
Mr.. Manger reported his loss to the
police. Detectives are trying to find
the burglars.
This is but portion of the story. A
reporter called at the house last night.
He found Annie, pale and nervous, in
the parlor with her mother and sister.
ST attend the South First Street NJ.
T. Church." said the girl. "About a
year ago one Sunday evening, one Of
the young ladies of the congregation
introduced me to a young man, who
said his name was George Smith. He
saw me home from church and was
very attentive 10 me. He asked per-
mission 10 call. I told him that man.
ma did not allow me TO have company,
as I was too young.
"After that l was haunted by Mr..
Smith. If went out on the street he
seemed to spring out of doorways and
corners. If went TO any place OF
amusement he seemed to be there. He
turned up IN all manner and kinds OF
odd times and places. At first l liked
him, but his persistence and the mys-
terlous way that he had of appearing
when wasn't looking for him at length,
scared me and got 20 dread and dis
like him.
"Whsnever he had chance he was
always telling how much he cared for
me and imploring me TO run away with
him. I told my father and mother.
Father tried to catch him again and
again, but he seemed clever enough TO
evade him. The worry of all this made
me sick and nervous.
1.-The young lady who introduced me
TO him said that she had been introduced
to him in a casual way and did not know
who he was or where he came from. I
and others tried TO fix his identity re-
pestedly but failed.
Things went on like this until last
winter. Late one night gOod-loOking,
well-dreSsed girl made her appearance
ar our house and asked for me. She
seemed 10 be mucn upsoo anu "1S q
ing. When / made my appearance she
told me that George Smith was dead
lie had died suddenly or heart disease,
and his last words were that be desired
that I should see him in MS coffin. She
further told me that she was his sister.
''After a good deal Of urging on her
part I consented to go with her 20 the
house where the body lay. This was
No. 269 South First street. There sure
eOOU2u
George Smith The only people pres
ent besides myself and guide were tour
young men, who seemed TO be quartet.
While I was there they sang hymn or
two. There were flowers on the body.
I touched the cheek Of the dead man
with my finger; it was cold as ice.
SIN spite Of the way that Smith had
tormented me, felt very sorry. was
nervous and III for some days after, but
finally nearly forgot all about the.
matter.
1.-TWO months ago 1 was walking
along Grand street. Somebody stepped
right In front Of me and took of his
hat. I looked up, and to my horror,
saw that II was the man whom had
last seen lying in his coffin.
SET tainted right there. When I came
to he had gone. The next'day I again
met him. This time my curiosity mas
tered my fear and asked him what it
all meant. He replied:
"I loved you too much to remain
dead. have come back to life to marry
you. couldn't stop in my grave you
know
81 know" the girl continued, "that
living. But I have recent letters from
the man in which he speaks Of this
resurrection OF his. Here they are"
The letters were written in boyish
hand. The writer spoke OF his patience
and undying love and OF his empty
grave.
"a week or so ago." continued the
girl, she again met me. This time |
was frightened and exasperated. l told
him that l hated him. Whereupon he
said, Il am capable OF much more than
Won know of. l will certainly be re-
yenged on you. I'll begin in mild
way and then end up by burning you
and your house up The next thing 1
knew my clothes had been cut to pieces.
Oh. I am sure it is he that is torment
ing me 10 death" And here poor An
ME broke down.
The reporter was shown the dresses.
There was big pile of them. A knife
had been used in some eases, scissors in
others.
On the floor Of the room was found
this note, written in pencil:
SHORTY: don't believe you better do
it. Renssaler is soft on her yet. He
SAYS he will break your back If you
touch anything of hers; so if you want
10 do It without his help amt with
you. FRANK SWIFT.
Annie said that some one had told
her on one occasion that "SNith's"
name was RensSaler. But who Renssa-
Ter was she could not say.
No. 267 South First street is three
story brick house. 1t was closed last
night.