New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-07
MYSTERY ABOUT A WOMAN.
THE BANKERS sEIIGNlAN MIXED UP IN IT.

STRANGE STORY OF ELoPEMFSr AND FoI1DLE
DETENTION OF MARRIED ENGLIsHwoMAN.
A strange story OF the seizure of young English
woman from the North German lloyd steamship
IIavcI at Quarantine on May % was made public yes
terday, and investg cation may shortly be ordered
by the Government officials. She IS an English Jewess
and Is supposed TO be Mrs. f.. Davis eldest daughter
Of wealthy and prominent family of London bankers
the ReddingOns. Her married life WAS unhappy. and
she loathed her husband.
The Reddingtons live In West End London, and
hive many business friends and aoquanances all
the world. Among their business connections is the
firm Of J. & ". Seligman the bankers OF this city.
Mrs. Davis. II IL said, fell In love with Young Eng
sman and decided TO come 10 this country to meet him.
Watching her opportunity, she eluded her family, which
Kept close watch over her. and secured passage on
the Ilavel from southampton with her maid. Both
registered under assumed names, but the hgh,
discovered by her family. who at once teegrsphed 10
the sclgmans to have her detained until her brother
could arrive on the Umbra. The Havel was met
down the bay by II tug. Oh which lawyers and
doctors, who were to declare the woman insane, II
is sald and hold her until her friends could arrive.
The party is said to have been composed Of a repre-
sentative Of the firm Of Root Clarke DR.. Allen Fitch.
examiner In unaty, and Dr. Godfrey of the United
states Marine Hospital on staten Island They were
Joined by Health Officer Jenkins and DR.. Talmagc, his
assistant
In spite Of her protests and the fact that she sup
ported by the ships surgeon. DR.. Venedey. who says
that she showed no signs Of insanity during the voy
age. she removed from the vessel and detained.
II is said. in the hospital at Ellis Island The Umbra
arrived three days after the lIavel, and among the
passengers Frank Reddingon. "A brother Of Mrs.
Davis and Drs. Abraham and RansforE. This
party went TO the Holland House. and Mrs. Davis
was taken there to wait for the Umbra to start on
its return trip Reddngton and his doctors, with their
captive sailed last SATURDAY on this steamship.
Mr.. Clarke. Of Root & Clarke, seen By a re-
porter Of The Tribune yesterday afternoon, and wiieE
asked 10 the part his firm had taken in the affair
he smiled. and said :" do no. wish 70 say anything
about IT," He asked under what law. anc by
virtue Of what right. his firm had advised the forcibe
detention Of Mrs. Davis. Bat he only shook his
head and said that hs had no information to give
out. When asked If he denied acting counsel for
the Messrs. seligmsn in the case, he made the same
answer. and asked TO he excused the subject The
agents Of the steamship company said that their
responsibility and knowledge Of the matter
ceased when Mrs. Davis was removed
from the vessel by the Government
officers
Mr. Clarles decinaiion to talk WAS followed BIZ
similar course the part Of James Seigman. who
at his home No. Ia East Fifty -scve1ith-st
lie said that there nothing which he could say.
hut ne did not deny the truth Of the story In any
particular assert that hi firm had not been con
nected with II. DR.. Allen Fitch was seen at his
home No 1853 West Thirty fourtl-st.. Yesterday after
noon My connection With the Of Mr. Davis
which You mention purely private ana 0l
personal character ~ that am not at liberty to
tell you anything about it, he said.
For what particular reason was Mrs Davis taken
off the Havcl1r asked.
II would be breach Of professional ethics for
me TO say a word about the case, was the reply
From what species OF dementia. II any, do You
that Mrs. Davis suffering ~ asked the re
porter.
II will not admit that made an examination
Of the person you MENTION said the doctor.
At Ellis Island the officials and employees
were all unable TO give any information. They
said that they had never heard of it, General
Q'Belrne said that he wss away at the time
when the affair Is said TO have occurred,
and that he glad 10 be able TO say that he Knew
nothing regarding the matter. He did however say
that one day he tiled 30 Colonel Weber aud found
the door of his shut which was unusual colo
mel Weber afierwsrd said casually that his caller
1T the time Mr.. seigman. few DAYS after
that Dr. Newborn called General O'Biernc's attention
to tw1 men who came TO III" islnnd 10 sHe Colonel
Weber. The doctor said they were The Mcssrs.
Scligman. Colonel Weber Is now in Minneapolis.
Doctor Newborn yesterday said that he had nothing
u SAY abou. the matter.
The other Officials weCr al cOlrtcOus and willing
10 show their records and to aid an Investigation.
Dr. Mcdowell showed the book containing the names
OF every 0I5 detained the island. There j. no
entry at any date within week slowing any pas
scngcr from the Iave anv similar ship. nor j.
there n record Of any insane patient.