The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-25
MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR
SUSPICIOUS DEATH OF ANNIE
M'GRATH, A PRETTY TYPEWRITER.
Her Lover and Employer, a Wealthy
Coal Operator, Held to Awaft
the Coroner's Action.

PHILADELPHIA. March 24-samuel p
Langdon. wealthy coal OPERATOR was ar
rested to-day on suspicion of having been
implicated in the death of Annie McGrath,
who was found dead on her bed in a
Girard-avenue house last night. Langdon is
ffty-four years old and the girl was eigh-
teen. Although he has residence in Powell
ton avenue he and the girl had been living
In the Girard-avenue house for about a
month. The only other occupant was a
colored servant. The couple were known to
the neghbors under the names OF McGrath
Mcdonald and Langdon, and they were sup
posed to be man and wife. Langdon was in
the girls room nearly all day and they
took dinner there. After the meal he went
out and did not return. The body was dis
covered by the servant apour three hours
later. There were no marks Of violence on
1t, but the physicians say she had been dead
twenty-four hours. One hand was clasping
handkerchief to the breast and a wet
towel lay over the forehead and eyes. Sus-
picion pointed to the supposed husband and
he was arrested to-day. The dead woman
is described as having been very pretty
post norton examination has been made
but the coroner's physicians decline to dis
daughter of well-known business man.
Langdon is reputed to be one of the wealth.
lest coal operators In the State. He is also
financially interested In number of South
ern railroads.
IL has been ascertained that the girl had
been employed as a stenographer and type
writer in Langdon's office. When searched
at police headquarters Langdon had a soli-
taire diamond ring. a diamond and opal
brooch and small diamond ring, which the
authorities think he took from the girl. One
Of the detectives states that the first suspi-
clons of the .colored girl, Bertha Stewart,
UQr q Sa6 hxra ar.far r.fror -
that reason she distrusted Langdon's injunc-
ton not to disturb her mistress. The dead
girls stomach and other portions OF the
body have been removed for the purpose OF
analysis. She had blue eyes, light brown
hair and pearly teeth. Langdon is a dis
said to have wire and caidren living abont abe II
fourteen miles out Of Pittsburg.
The story of the Stewart. girl is that they
days at a time. On Sunday last the girl be-
came I'll. and the servant heard her moaning
In her room up stairs all the day long. Lang
her attention was not needed. Toward even
Ing pitcher OF water was sent for. and
eT ns on Se Sns fSaS %
all her clothes on. and a wet towel upon her
forehead fsi an and eyes, eyes. The servant did not
went to her service the girl was stin in. so
langdon said, but she did not see her mis-
At O'Clock yesterday afternoon Lansdon
came down stairs with his valsse packed.
You need not go up stairs TO her." he said
''she's only got one OF her bilious ATTACKS
When you so home give the key to the peo-
pie next door. I'm going 10 New York. AT
frs. the servant obeyed Iangdon's instruc-
tons. but finally she went swiftly up stairs
and pushed open the bedroom door, In ex-
actly the same position as on the previous
evening the girl was lying. The colored girl
felt the forehead OF her mistress and called
to her. She obtained no response. Bertha
left the side Of the corpse frightened She
went 20 her home, but presently returned
with her brother and sister. The trio found
that the woman lying. on the mattress with
the towel still across her face was dead
Langdon stated that he went to the house
on Sunday morning and remained all day.
He said the girl had taken sick in the after
noon. but he fell asleep and never went down
stairs. and did not wake up until IL o'clock
on Monday morning. He thought the girl
was sleeping and LETT the house That night
he stopped at a hotel. and this morning ne
was surprised to see an account OF the girls
death In newspaper. Iangdon was locked
up In cell at the central station awaiting
the action or the coroner. Bertha Stewart
the coiored servant girl, is also locked up as
witness. The inquest will probably be held
Tomorrow.