Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-22
Mystery Of Mrs. Clara Parnell, Of
Mecklenburg County.
aER ASSOCIATES CATS And DOGS
Living Alone on o Large Farm and visit
Ing Other Plantations.
Nope Knew where She Came From or
vhi,aer She went-weaithy and 1lser-
Teller Adopted Infant with Her
when Found Dead.
Especial telegram to tho Dispo,ch.l


CHAn Cry. Va, March 2l.-lntelligence
has iust been received here of tho death OF
a most remarkable and cratic character
who lived a short distance from this town.
Her name was Mrs. Clara Parnel- Where
abe came from and her previous history no
one knows. About nine or ten years ago
she arrived IN this vicinity and purchased
q farm Of 300 acres.
WITH HE CATS AND DOGS.
There che spent most OF her time, se-
cluded from the world with no companions
or associates except her cats and dogs
Occasionally she visited or passed through
this place on business. Her farm was
never cultivated. She owned about ~
cattle. 10 sheep. Is goats, horses, Is cats
10 dogs. and 500 chickens. Provisions were
purchased for them and men employed 10
feed them. None Of her animals were
ever worked, and when she travelled hired
her conveyance.
NEITHER VISITORS NOR ASSOCIATES.
Che had no visitors. desired none, and
NO associates. No one entered her house.
She did her own cooking and milking. NO
woman was employed on her premises.
Her DOGS and cats occupied the house with
her. Her favorite dogs had beds TO sleep
IN. They were all,coach-dogs. Her neigh
bors were frequently annoyed by her dogs
killing their sheep.
PAINTED HEB DOCS.
On one occasion to prevent them being
killed by an officer she painted her dogs 70
prevent Identification. Although amply
provided with money she resisted 70 the
LAST officers in their collection of debts she
had contracted or her taxes. She would
leave home some time for months TO visit
other plantations, but advised no one OF
her business OF when she would return.
Two white men aud one colOred man pur-
chased food and cared for her animals
during her absence. They were employed
and paid by the month.
WHY SIZE LOVED CATS AND DOGS.
She believed in the transmigration Of
souls and SAID she had lost her husband
and two sons, whose souls still existed IN
the dogs, cats, and cattle around her, and
hence her duty TO preserve. protect, and
tenderly treat them.
AN ADOPTED INFANT.
She left here four months ago with an
Infant she said was her adopted child.
She went to Atlantic City and rented
private cottage in December last. On last
Saturday she was found dead IN her room
and the baby alongside her body crying.
The body was in a state of decomposition.
The county physician held post-rnorteTn
and ascertalned that she died OF fatty de-
generation of the heart.
RARE JEWELS.
More than $4,000 worth of rare jewelry
and diamonds were found in the filthy
room in which she died. and the discovery
of papers showing large landed interests
in Virginia and Mississippi. The room in
which the body was found was creeping
with filth. Her favorite dogs-seyen IN
number-occupled the same quarters, and
evidently ate at the same table with her.
These dogs were carried from her planta-
ton near here to Atlantic City.
WHEN POUND DEAD.
She was sitting in chair when death
overlook her, and was evidently about to
retire. She was partly disrobed and fell
forward in crouching position on the
floor.
OTHER Discoveries.
In the room we're found in q wallet four
81, 900 notes currency. The jewelry was in
an unlocked bureau-dIawer also, check
from the Northern Pacific railroad and q
handbook, showing that she had kept an
account Of several thousand dollars and
there was still balance of over 5000 due
her.
HER LEGAL HEIR.
Her will was also discovered IN the
Yickety old bureau. 1t was drawn by a
Philadelphia lawyer and probably wit
messed. The little boy baby, whose
screams led to the discovery of Mrs.
Parnell's body. is said 20 have been adopt
ed by her while in Philadelphia about a
year ago with the intention OF making him
her legal heir.
WHO WAS sHEp
From the best information obtainable 1t
appears that Clara Parneu (what her
maiden name was could not be ascertain
ed was the only daughter of q wealthy
southerner who lived In affiuence. But
people who were employed by her and
with whom she transacted business told the
writer yesterday that she had the verltable
Yankee accent and pronunciation.
AN ALLEGED ROMANCE.
Knowing ones say when she was young
abe was beautiful, petite, viyacious bru-
nette, with dashing, captivating manners
aud extraordinary independence OF cha
racter. She had an ample income. In her
own right and resented parental inter-
ference in her love affairs. There was the
usual sequel. She met and loved man
who was Objectionable to her father and
after many stormy scenes she went North
with her lover. Whether her husband
died or they separated Is not definitely
known.
MIDpLE-AGED.
She was a middle-aged woman with a
good figure and since her coming TO this
community her life has been that OF re-
cluse with no companions except her pet
dogs and cats.
MYSTERY.
Her farm is on the border of Lunenburg
and Mecklenburg counties, embracing fine
lands on tho Meherrin river. She was
mystery 70 her neighbors, neither asking
nor bestowing favors. If she had relations
or near kindred they are unknown here;
Her property will. however, doubtless find
. claimant as soon as her death is found
out by distant relatives.
OLD POINT COMFORT.