Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1892-06-23
STRANGE EXPERIENCES.
THERE MAY BE A SILVER LIN
ING TO THE CLOUD.
How Easily Persons May BE Mistaken
In the Bodies of Loved Ones
Stories Told by MorGue
Keeper.

Away back in September 1869, F"
said he Mrs. Ellen Davis. OF 29l
West Fourteenth street. had been ex-
pecting visit from her mother who
lived in Providence r. L The day
came and Ellen and her husband were
promptly at the dock to greet Mrs.
Annie McAffrey, for that was her
mothers name. But they were DOOM
ed to disappointment From letters
it was beyond question that Mrs
McAffrey had started for Now York.
AS the night wore on the friends
became SO much alarmed that the
police were notified.
Several days passed, and the
anxiety OF Mrs Davis increased for
in the meantime she had communi-
Gated with Providence and had been
informed that her mother had started
for New York on the Sound steamer
OF the night before as had been ar
ranged by letter.
That night next following Mrs.
Davis was reading the evening paper
when her eye caught sight of an item
telling of case OF foul play and Civ.
ing description of the victim. Il wo-
man. The outline of the dead wo.
mans personality tailed exactly with
that OF the missing Mrs McAtIery
Mrs Davis hurried to the morgue.
The body OF the victim was shown to
her. She was greatly affected. She
fairly swooned. but recognized the
hot &c l..
'Mrs. Davis hurriedly saw an un-
dertaker. The cakes that sho had
prepared for the reception. the we'd
ding baked meats as it were, became
the dishes of Il house OF mourning
That night the family sat down TO dim
ner 1t was q sorrowful dinner at
best. Next day occurred the funeral.
Again the family gathered about the
table. They were sitting thus. talk
ing over the sad events of the last
few days. All the virtues of the late
departed were rehearsed with the
lingering memory OF fond and ia
yored child.
Suddenly the door burst Open
Who should walk in but Mrs Nc
Atfrey herself bag and baggage in
hand. alive we'll overjoyed to be le-
stored to her friends although she
had been delayed Tor several DAYS
past Picture to yourself the scene.
1t is worthy OF romance. Then
Mrs McAtfrey told her strange story.
| do not recall its details but it was
sensational to a degree. 1t all ended
happily, however for she was nome
again. Then it was Mrs McAffrey's
turn to be astonished She was told
of the events OF the last few days. 1t
was as though she had come back
from the grave.
At this point in the narrative a
policeman came in, bearing in his
hand small basket 1t was only n
dead child found in the dump at the
foot OF Twelfth street Keeper White
filled out small card placed the
basket on n chair, and. apparently
unconcerned by the horrible spectacle,
sat down aud compose dly resumed his
narrative.
''Iinde: head OF May 10. 1891, 81
he continued. Il read the following in
the records OF the morgue:
20 p. m.-Man from One Hundred
and Fifty-ifth street and Eighth
avenue; age 90; feet inches high;
sandy hair: smooth face: gray eyes:
good teeth; wore pcajacket of a
dark gray mixed goods; vest same
materials brown and gray striped
pants; blue flannel overshirt; white
knit undershirt; white cotton socks:
elastic CATERS; white and yellow sus-
penders; no property.
Recognized as John Clark by
Ada, his wife.
This" went on Keeper White. 'is
one OF the strangest cases we ever
had on the records A BODY was
brought to us from the place above
mentioned. 1t was all cut to pieces
by the Eighth-uvenue elevated train.
1t appeared to be case of suicide
and the theory was that the man had
deliberately jumped in front OF the
engine.
'As soon as Ada Clark read OF the
accident she was struck by the fact
that the unknown dead wore clothes
identical with those of her good-for-
nothing husband John H. Clark.
She had been his wife for some time,
but according to her story. was far
from happy.
Next day Ada Clark appeared at
the Morgue. She demanded the priv
ilege OF viewing tho corpse. She was
sure it was John and proceeded
promptly to call. the dead man oil
sorts of abusive names declaring,
among other things that he never
was the least use to her in life and
that she was glad that he was dead at
last for now she would be free from
her misery. John. she said. was q
hard drinker. a poor provider and q
shiftless. useless lay husband. In a
rage she departed. declaring that the
city could send her husband to Pot
ters field for she washed her hands
OF the entire affair.
Next day she was subpenad to ap.
pear at the coroner's Office to tell
what sho knew of the mysterious dis
appearance OF her husband. The COR
oner called witness after witness but
Al, l;,3 MT onroo,, Tho ~