The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-06
RELATIONSHIP cLATwrD
with the Girl Jessie Miller at thu Aims.
house.


with the Girl Jessie Miller nj In. Alma
house.
Chiet-of-Police, Major Poe. received ,bafol
lowing note yesterday from Mrs. Georoa W
Ming, OF Licking, Va. in regard 10. Jess;o
Miller, who is still confined at the almsborso.
"Lcf'ng, lo.-To the Chief: SEQ this scyor
III the paner this morning. She is Miss ksf,e
Oheeic, and lives with her sister al Licking
va. She mas been home only twelve DAYS fron
the insane asylum in Kansas (i,y. please ia,
me know how she is and how | can get her
home Write 10 Mrs. George W. King"
Inc newspaper clipping which accompanied
the above note was an article which appeared
IN IaE IiMfs of May I'd entitled Physical
Condition Critical"
The apparent mystery which surrounded
the unfortunate girl, who was found aimess.
~ wandering upon the streets about a week
ago, Is gradually being solved. although there
are siil contradictory or conflicting stories,
told by those VINO are reported TO know some
thing OF the case
The girl. who is now greatlySmproved both
physically and mentally. and who daily walks
about the corridors and pOrches OF the aims
mouse, remains unmOved in her original
statements that her name is Jessie Miller
that she WAS married TO Joseph Burton and
that her father was an Episcopal clergyman
She further states that she came directly
from Kansas City TO Richmond.
Mrs. King, OF Goochland county, and who
claims TO De half sister TO the girl asserts that
her name is Katie O'Keefe, and that her
father was painter 10y trade and that before
coming to Richmond the girl visited her at
Licking.
Mrs. King is alleged to possess letters
signed variously by Katie" Jessie Hopper"
and "Kittie Hopper"
These are claimed 10 be postmarked Kansas
City, where jessie says she was confined in
the hospital while undergoing a painful sur
gical operation.
telegram from the Kansas City Times
states that Jessie Miller alias Jessie Hopper
alias Kate O'Keefe alias Kittie Hopper. has
been well known there IN police circles for
the past three years, and that on one occasion
she shot the proprietor of a laundry in which
she was employed and later attempted sui
eide
The police there considered her mentally
unsOund. The operation. which it is claimed
was performed. is known ~ Ovariatomy. and
resulted IN restoring her disOrdered mind TO
nearly "a normal condition.
Since her confinement at the almshOuse
Mrs. King has not visited Jessie, and possibly
after all there may be lack of confirmation
as to identity Of Jessie Miller or Katie
O'keefe. although the rumors seem to bear
some evidence OF their being one and the
same person
A representative of THE TIMES called at the
almshouse yesterday afternoon and requested
permission 10 converse with Jessie IN relation
to the reports received regarding her.
This the physician in charge refused TO
grant, stating that she was greatly improved.
aud that he feared any excitement might
cause further trouble for her.
Upon promise however, that conversation
on the ubiect would be avoided the physi-
clan led the way to a room in which the poor
girl was sitting.
Pausng at the doorway where she could be
seen without being disturbed. she pre-
scented a sad picture. Leaning YEARLY upon
her hand with her elbow on the back of her
chair she was gazing ntently far ont over the
yerdant fields toward the green woods which
skuted them. aud the cool evening breeze
that swept IN from the north through the
open door seemed grateful to her.
Her long brown hair, tied with n bright
colored ribbon. fell nearly to her waist and
IN her eyes was a look OF Infinite sadness
surely not a trace of wlldness nor the vacant
stare of imbeclty.
Observing the couple at the doorway. she
arose and said. Doctor, bring the gentleman
in: he reminds ne of a friend OF mine IN
Kansas City"
For few minutes general conversation was
INDUCED in, aud she spoke easily, expressing
her thoughts in suitable language. and giving
no evidence whatever Of the slightest mental
disorder Surely, if her mind IS impaired,
there still remains some strength Of intellect
a laQN from river view cdlltu NJ lue dlulS-
house a few days ago and was extremely
anxious 10 have Jessie dismissed in order that
she might take her as a companion, but this,
of course. the physicians would not permit
for "a short while at least.
Dr. Robinson. who received the TINES re-
porter. was asked what he thought Of her men
tai condition now. and what Importance he
attached TO her statements. and he replied:
she Is much improved. and | am compelled
TO think her statements have some force
Then doctor what do you think of the re-
cent rumors regarding herr"
In answer he said: They may DE correct,
they seem to tally pretty generally. although
| am frank 70 say there are some contradc-
tons between the reported stories and those
of JESSIE
SO the matter stands. Jessie says her
father was one thing. and her half-sister
claims he was something else. Jessie knows
she was married to Joseph Burton: her half
sister denies that she was ever married TO
anybody.
Tins would be pleasant time to hear from
Joseph Burton.