New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-25
FATE OF MRS. STURGIS.
SHE DISAPPEARS FROM A SOUND BOAT.
HER FAMILY SAYS SHE MUST HAVE FALLEN
OVERHEARD At NIGHT.

OVERHEARD At NIGHT
Mrs. Appleton sturgis. who disappeared iroi' ~.
FAN River steamboat Plymouth last Iuesuas nns".
when the vessel was making her way to"au fa,
River Mass was undoubtedly drowned Ill LOhR isi"""
sound. The sturgs family has given up all nope
tbot sba may bove left the steamboat at Newport,
and Appleton sturgis the husband Of the MISSING
woman in a written statement issued YESTERDAY
says "The family believes that the Dody Is d. 'ne
bottom Of Long Island sound. We suppose Una. sne
have fallen overheard during one Vi 'he "'' u
vertigo to which she snUtect."
There is considerable mystery about the manner Vi
Mrs. sturgs's disappearance from the ste'nooa''
The family in a way bames the steamboat company
for not having gusrd-rals high enough 70 pre'ehl "
person from falling overheard. while the ofhcers OF e
company say 1t IS almost impossible for anybody 10
get over the siGe rails In such weather as ue fy-
mouth had last Tuesday night, unless the person
were assisted over the rail- The Officers OF the com
pany are Inclined TO believe that Mrs. sturgs jumped
overheard
MIS-. Sturgis's mother who is the widow OF /. d.
Eliot, former member Of Congress- Is seriously Ill
in New BEDFORD and Mrs. surgis was on her way
there when she disappeared. Last Tuesday she engaged
passage on the Plymouth and was assigned TO state
room 40. "a. Mrs sturgis as far can be enrned,
to her staeroOm early In the evening, ana no
one on the boat knew that anything unusual had
taken place until Wednesday morning. porter On
the Plymouth when making his usual morning visitS
b the saterooms, found II without an occupant.
dress and ot1er woman's garments were
there, but Mrs. sturgls could not b" found.
The purser was informed and search was made
for the woman in every part Of the boat. All
the passengers were questioned, but no one had
seen Mrs Sturgs since she to the room for the
night, and the officers and Others on the boat came
to the conclusion that she had jumped overheard
II was not known who the woman was until some
time after the steamship arrived at Fall River Mr.
Ackley, the agent. informed and the clothing
Of the missing woman was searched. In the pocket
Of the dress found letter addressed to Mrs. a.
stureis" and It's contents went to show that the
missing woman was on her way to the bedside OF
her sick mother in New bedford. The agents at tho
end Of the lDc were informed by Mr.. Ackley' ana
he reported In his dispatch that the missing woman
lad undoubtedly committed suicide.
The >turg, family. however. that Mrs. SturSls
was enjoying the best OF health mentally, and her
relative, are Of the oplhion that She fell overheard
when she went out the deck at night to get the
benefit Of a little fresh air. woman dressed In
mourning who received al callers at the sturgs
home, at No. 30 East Tenthst., yesterday said ::
Mrs. sturgis was as healthy as usual when she
left this house for New Bedfor last Tuesday, and
there Is absolutely no foundation whatever for tho
report that she not sound mentally. She had
every thing to live for. and TO say the least 1t Is
unkind to suggest that she committed suicide. She
was "A woman fully capable of taking Of her
self, and when she started for New Bedford she was
alone rho family felt concern about her, be-
cause she used TO travelling alone She
Wai subject tn hts Of vertigo. however but
thought that she would be In a
position where the weakness would cudanger her life
nut Il did and are convinced that she fell over
the railing while suffering from glddy spell. Room
No "a Is an outside room, and the door leading to
IL opens directly on the deck or promenade around
the sateroOms. We believe that during the night she
was attacked with g1ddy spell. and when she
opened her door to get out into the open
air she fell and the railing around the side OF the
boat Is low she topped overheard. Frequently
y hen at home she would get up In the middle OF
;hc night and open window and lean out and get
the air.
Ms Surciss ncghbors also say that she vas
well mentally far they know The drug store
clerk near where she lived and her grocer sy that
sse mad not acted in any unusual way since they
mad known her. and they do not believe that the
woman committed suicide.
Mrs SiureiS the wife Of Appleton sturgis, who
- connected with the National tOr1age Company
Mr. sturcs IS the brother OF Russell Sturss the arch
toct and II cousin Of Frank X. Nturgis president OF
The stock Exchange. The missing woman was the
mother of several children. she was fOrytwo years
old
The Plymouth reached her pier her return trip
from Fall River YcSt"rda" morning but tie officers
nf the boat refused 10 permit strangers on board ana
declined 10 ak about the missing woman. They said
they had received Instructions not 10 talk about the
affair They declared that the weather was not rough
on the sound last Tuesday night