The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-05-08

MOntclair, N. j., May S.-Mrs. Mary
York business man ,livingin CheStnutstreet,
Montclair, died Thursday night at her
home from starvation, although there was
plenty in the house to eat Her death was
brought about by her refusal to eat OF
drink anything in the last TWO weeks,
despite an the entreaties OF Mrs. Zeigler,
personal friend, who was the only one
whom Mrs. Lemke would see or have any
conversation with.
The woman was Lemke's second wife,
and for over year she had acted SO
strangely and at times was 80 ugly that
her husband finally ceased going home
nights, and only visited the house twice
a week Then it was almost going into a
den OF misery, as the woman would lind
fault aud make he's visits unbeatable. The
cause OF the woman's freaks, il is said,
was that she had an idea that she must
have moremoneyto spend than her husband
could give her.
This idea made her extremely ugly at
times, and when one of the spells came
over her she would begin to attack Mr..
Lemke's children by his first wife, causing
them TO flee from the house. About two
weeks ago she came to the conclusion that
she wanted to die, and TO accomplish this
end refused to eat, and actually died of star
walton When eatahles Were taken to
the house, Mrs Lemke, after receiving them
would colSign themto a redhotfire meats,
sugar. bread In fact, everything met the
same fate.
A few days ago Mrs Ziegler, who lives
in Newark, visited the house, but after
ringing tie doorbell and hammering on
the windows, could not bring anyone t0 the
door. Mrs. Ziegler then went to the rear
of the house and found the cellar door open.
Into the cellar she went, and up Il flight
of stairs TO the door leading t. the Kitchen;
hut her hopes Ct getting into the house were
once more blasted, as the door was locked.
Mrs Ziegler then began to call Mrs. Lemke,
saying: II want TO see you. l have some
news for you" This was followed by
continual hanging upon the door, which
Mrs. Lemke finally opened
Mrs. Zegler was Mortified at the sight
which met her eyes. The woman was ter
nhly enlaciated, and hardly able to stand
what is the matter with you, Mary"
said Mrs Ziegler
Il want TO die" was the reply.
Mrs Ziegler at once set to work to pre-
pare nuurishment for the woman, and made
q cup % tea and some biscuits. After all
her trouble Mrs Lemke refused to eat
Mrs Ziegler then sent for Dr. Francis.
and when he arrived Mrs Lemke refused
to see him. The woman would not 20 to
bed, but lay on the floor propped with pill
lows. 1t was then arranged 10 take Mrs
Lemke to the Mountainside Hospital, but
before this could he done she brt athed her
last
Soon after her death Chief of Police
Pier was informed, and he in turn in
formed County Physician Washington, who
granted a burial permit
The Lemke family live in a neat cot
tage, and the latter is furnished taste
fully Last fall Mr.. Lemke went TO Europe
on a business trip. ana was followed later
by Mrs. Lemke During Mr.. Lemke'S alb
sence, and before his wife sailed, il is
alleged that she became very eXtrayagant
and purchased goods from many trades
men, the accounts for which Were inset
tied On their return from Germany Mr..
Lcmke was surprised when he reached his
home to find several attachment notices
on his house Mr.. Lemke settled all the
CLAIMS