The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-05
LURES MEN TO DEATH
MRS. CHARLES KITTINGER's BEAUTY
HAS PROVED A FATAL CHARM.
For Love OF Her Count Possetti End
ed His Life at Vienna-Her
Career in America.

CHICAGO, Dec A dispatch 60 the
Tribune from Seattle, Wash, says: Mrs.
Charles Kittlnger, for whose sake Baron
Possetti committed suicide in Vienna, AUS
tria. on Wednesday, came to this city in
1887. She was Amy Whitney then, with
eyes dark, lustrous and fathomless that
could look unutterabe love. Instantly she
was acknowledged as beauty's queen. For
two years she ruled absolutely and turned
the heads of half the young men in town.
Kittinger a handsome social leader, con-
fessed that she was the most beautiful
creature he had ever seen. One evening he
called on her and the conversation drifted
to the pleasures of travel. He was fond of
compositions like Schubert's 'Serenade''
and the sinuous music that clusters around
the gondola.
How would you like to spend a honey
moon in Venice?' he asked.
1T would be delightful" she said, and
then she asked what he meant.
In few days the engagement of Charles
H. Kittnger and beautiful Amy Whitney
was announced, and the wedding day was
set for June IA, 1889. On the afternoon of
June she was at a dressmalxer's superin-
tending a magnificent trousseau. Shortly
after o'clock she met Kittnger on the
street, and as they stopped for moment
they heard the fire bell that sounded the
destruction of Seattle. Kittinger risked his
Alife in a fruitless attempt to save the bridal
gowns He escaped only after severe burns.
Eight days later the marriage ceremony
was performed quietly and the bridal couple
spent their honeymoon, not in Venice, but
in Victoria.
The Kittingers became known as possess
ing one of the contest homes in Seattle, and
there was apparently no cloud on tneir nap
piness until a Mardi Gras was held at the
Armory. Wine flowed freely during the
small hours, and to this day most or the
participants have only dazed recollection
of the manner in which they were taken
home. Shortly afterward some one sent
Mrs Kittinger a marked copy of disrep-
utable Sunday paper containing story
about Charles Kit--ger" and his high
old time at the Mardi Gras. He was asked
to explain and the story goes that his eX-
PLANTATION wound up by his throwing Mrs.
Kittinger downstairs After that occur
renee 1t was understood that the only tie
between the man and wife was their child,
Mildred.
Kittinger had secured position with the
Everett Land Company, at Everett, Wash,
thirty miles from Seattle and went to his
place of business every day by train H.
body last year was cast up by the sea at
the Cliff House. San Francisco, under cir
cuDlstances that indicated suicide was a
frequent visitor to Seattle, and the hand
some Mrs. Kittinger was one of his best
friends. After visit with him to Brighton
Beach Mrs. Kittnger discovered that she
had lost her rings including her engage
ment ring, and when her husband asked her
about it she is said to have replied that
they were at jewelers.. Finally a detec-
tive located them in a Bike-street saloon,
where they had been left by an unknown
man.
The Irritation with Potter and other adj
mirers was followed by the death of Mil
dred. During the worlds fair Mrs. Kittin-
ger, it is related, was familiar figure on
the midway, and so enjoyed being center
of admiration that she was accustomed to
talk with the Turks and other denizens of
that strange community. Then she went on
the stage and played the part of maid in
one of Palmer's companies in New York.
her as 1.-THE wonderful widow from the
West, and the tales of her rich gowns and
magnificent style of living sounded ro-
mantle as a chapter from the Arabian
Nights" Last spring Town Topics published
an interesting story about the mysterious
widow. The young man was the son of the
pastor of 2 swell Episcopalian Church on
Fifth avenue, but the intended wedding
could not take place for a very good rea-
son-Mrs. Kittinger was not divorced. Mrs.
kittinger then went to Venice, and from
that far-om city has come the story of con-
quest wrought by her 'matchlesS beauty.
She is twenty-five years old, has a rich
olive complexion, perfect figure, medium
Venus, but for a slight imperfection of her
lips. She was born in Montreal, where her
father, Charles Whitney, stood high in BUSH
ness and social circles. Her mother was
Spanish woman of the same wondrous
beauty, and it is related that she eloped
with one of the Allans, of a line of steam
ships.