New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-07
NEW JERSEY NEWS.
STARVED TO DEATH AMID PLENTY.
A MONTCLAIR WOMAN DROVE HEN Nus
BAND FROM HOME AND REFUSED
TO TOUCH FOOD.

Montclair NAV 6 (SpeciaD.-Mrs. Mary LemRc
wife of Theodore Lemke New-York business
man. living in Chestnut-st., Montciair, oieu as'
night at her home from starvation although 'here
was plenty in the house to eat. Her death was
brought about by her refusal to eat or drink any
thing In the last two weeks despite all the en-
treaties of Mrs Ziegler, personal friend who was
the only one Mrs Lemke would see or have any
conversation with
The woman was Iemke's second wife. and for
over a year she had acted so strangely ana AT
times was so ugly that her husband finally ceased
going home nights and only visited the mousse
twice week. Then it was almost going into
den of misery as the woman would find fault and
make his visits unbearable The cause or inc
womans freaks 1t is said was that she had an luea
that she must have more money to spend than her
husband could give her.
This idea made her extremely ugly at umes'
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 fee 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 starvation
When eatables We're taken to the house, Mrs
Lemke after receiving them. would consign them
to red hot frc-meats, sugar. bread in fact, every
thing. the fate.
A few days ago Mrs. ZiegIer who lives in New
ark visited the house, but after ringing the DOOR
bell and hammering on the windows could not
10 the rear of the house and found the cellar door
open. Into the cellar she went and up flight OF
stairs to the door leading TO the Kitchen nut her
hopes of getting into the house were once more
blasted as the door was locked. Mrs. IeGier tntn
began to call Mrs. Lemkc, saying; II waht 70 see
you: have some news for you: rms was iolioW%cd
by a continual banging upon the door, winch MIS-
Lemke fnaly opened. ,,. .,. $3.50.
Mrs Zieglcr was Mortified at the sight which met
her eyes. The woman was terribly emaclateu anu
hardly able to stand. ,,,, -, ,,r.
Ziegler.
Mrs Ziegler az once set to work to prepare nour,
shment for the woman. and made cup OF Yea aho
some biscuits. After ali her trouble. Mrs. Leh 1
Francis and when he arrived Mrs, l-einke Tciu SEQ
70 see him The woman would not so TO bed but
law on the floor propped with pillows IL had oeen
arranged 10 take Mrs. Lemka to the MountalnSloe
Uospifal but before this could be done she breathed
soon after her death Chief Of Police Pier was
informed and he in turn informed county th!sr
clan Washington. who granted a burlaI permit
The Lemke family live in a neat cottdEe;t, afu
the interior is furnished tastefully Last ran WI
Iemke went to Europe on business UP anu MSs
foowed later bv Mrs Lemke. during MI; LeiNk NJ :
aheonce and before his wife sailed II Is alleGeo tha
che beca me very extravagant and purchascu sE1uSS
from many tradesmen the accounts Ioi " AZ ~
were unsettled on their return from ,rei NJ
emke was surprised when he reached MS no'iie ~
Gnd several attachment notices on MS mousse MI
Jemkc settled all the claims.