Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-16
MYSTERIOUS DEATH
To Investigate the End of MIRA Belle ?.
Shiplor.
Had Taken . Drug Given Her by a
"oman-The Grfef-Stricken Hus-
band and Mother

Last night a young married woman
twenty-four years of age, by the name of
Mrs. Belle F. Shipor. died at Garfield Hos
pital under circum stances that were MIS-
FERROUS, to say the least. She was taken to
the hospital yesterday afternoon from the
house, lOl1 NJ street, where she boarded
with her husband. and al 8 o clock an oper-
alton was performed upon her by Dr. Fry,
with the assistance of several of the lead
ing physicians in town. 1t was realized
that this was the only hope of saving her
life, but this proved of no avail, for she
sank steadily and died at midnight without
divulglng to anyone the circumstances
which led to her death.
Mr.. A. A. Birney, the district attorney,
was summoned to take her anti-mortem
statement, but he arrived at the HOSPITAL
too late. as she was then unconscious. She
passed away without word, and her secret
died with her.
1t is thought by the physicians in the case
that the young woHa was suffering from
the results of an abortion committed upon
her, but this is almost impossible of proof
The first reputable physician who took W
the case was DR.. Little whom she visited
last Monday, saying that she was suffering
from malaria, attended with severe pains
about the body. Her real condition was not
then evident. Her case became more seri-
Gus on Tuesday. and she afterward admit
ted to the physician that drug had been
administered to her, such as is usually used
In bringing about an abortion. She told
DR.. Little that this drug was given to her
by lady, but she refused stoutly to give
away the name of the person from whom
she had learned of its qualities. Whether
this unknown woman gave II to her or
whether she took II herself will never be
known. Curiously enough the medical ex-
animation has not even revealed whether
or not the young woman was pregnant at
the time of taking the drug.
The Berenved Husband.
The unfortunate girl for she was hardly
more than that in years and in appearance,
had only been married about seven weeks
the wedding ceremony being performed in
this city on April "a. by Rev. DR.. Sunder-
land. She came here from Newark, n. j.,
but her husband, W. o. Shiplor. is Texan,
of good appearance, and well known to the
congressional delegation from Texas.
He was formerly connected with the post
office at FL Paso, and was In this city with
the expectation of securing a government
clerkship. Since their marriage they had
occupied suite OF apartments in the big
NJ street boarding house where Mrs Ship
lor made a most favorable impression. She
was very slight and delicate GIRL weigh
ing only ninety-five pounds, and had been
In wretched health for some time past. 1t
was hoped that change of climate, how
ever. would benefit her. No suspicious OF
any sort are entertained that she was
irisled before marriage, and the only sup
position is that fearing the results Of child.
birth and being young and inexperienced
she sought the advice OF some older woman.
Ii was entirely without the knowledge OF
her husband who told a Star reporter thig
morning that his wife could not even have
known the name or nature OF the drug
which she is alleged to have taken.
MIR. Shiplor was greatly overcome by the
sad termination of his brief honeymoon
as was also the young wife's mother, Mrs
Luneschloss. who reached this city a little
before O'Clock yesterday afternoon. The
latter insisted that her daughter had sui
fered from jaundice and enlargement of the
liver from which Mr. Luneschloss had also
died. Both of them denied that there could
be any truth in the story that the young
woman was In any way responsible for
what resulted In her death. This morning
the husband and mother We're occupied in
packing the belongings which the young
girl had left behind, preparatory to taking
the body back to New Jersey. 1t is in
tended TO have the interment at Railway.
As they put back the dainty articles that
go to make up a brides trousseau they
were utterly unnerved by their sad task.
Coroner Woodward viewed the remains
at Garfield Hospital this morning and de-
cided that an inquest was necessary under
the circumstances, although IL is not
thought that anyt hing more is likely to be
discovered. Detective Weldon was put up
on the case this morning. DIR. Woodward
told Mr.. Shiplor this morning that he
would swear coroner's jury, so that they
might view the remains without delay, SIS
the family are anxious to take the body
home this eve ming.
The inquest will be held this afternoon
at O'Clock at the eighth precinct station
Both the mother and husband of the dead
girl deny vehemently that there was any,
thing suspicious or irregular in her death,
and they were shocked beyond measure at
the story that she had died from the after
effects of criminal operation, story
/ which they characterized as base fabrica-