The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-08-24
GREAT DIAMOND EXPERT ILL
She Begaa Life as a Dealer In Vege-
tables.

| Lynch. one of the most expert gem ap-
! praisers in the world is critically III. She
is more than seventI years of ege, and a
fatal end to her sickness-fatty dezenera-
ton of the heart is fearel.
Mrs. Lynch was taken i'll about two
weeks ago and removed from her store
in Union Square in a cab. Three rhysi-
clans were called and the family was lcld
| that Mrs. Lynch's only chance OF Efe
| lay in her immediate removal to some
quiet country resort. She was then taken
from fner home in West Thirty-fourth
street to Niagara.
Mrs. Lynch's fortune made chiefly by
her own talents, is estimated at several
millions, and her career has been highly
picturesque.
Her family is composed of four sons
and three daughters, who, together with
the husband, still living, will share the
rich estate
Jennie Lynch the eldest daughter, be-
came the wife of Colonel Fred C. NC
Lewee, who was deprived of his commits
sion 10y former Governor Morton, owing
to the severity with (which he treated the
National Guard in his report of annual
inspection.
Mrs. McLewee (nee Jennie Lynch Sc
cured an absolute divorce from her first
husband, naming in her suit a concert hall
actress. She then married the lawyer
who had obtained for her the divorce,
William p. Burr.
Addie Lynch, the second daughter, mar
ried young lawyer of this city, Harry
Thompson, who died very suddenly a few
years ago. HIS widow and one child sur
vive
The youngest daughter Irene, was sent
to France to be educated. She returned
to New York to become the wife of "a
prominent Philadelphia lawyer. She died
shortly after her marriage.
The four sons have remained in the jew
elry store in the capacity of statesmen,
while the husband has been independent
ly engaged in the fruit commission bust
ness.
Mrs. Theresa Lynch was the daughter
of dealer in vegeta bles. with a stall on
the outside Of old Washington market.
1t was there she met her husband, also
a vegetable dealer. With money saved
from their modest trade they left Wash
! ington market and entered the pawn brok-
ing business. opening a small shop on
OudNe street, HtdE NJIectNiCH.
Affairs pros pered with them, both hav-
ing become expert in detecting the NaEue
of precious stones. and soon they moved
their shop to Grand avenue, between
Wooster and Green
Here Mrs Lynch acquired wonderful
knowledge of diamonds, getting her finish
ed education in the principles from clerk
named Harris. who had a wide reputation
for his ability.
Money came fas ito the Lynches, and
the former dealers in vegetables became
known as responsible and progressive
jewel merchants.
The Lyuches newt opened jewelry store
and a private loan Office in the building
under the old New York Hotel on Broad
way. between Wayerly place and Wash
ington place.
Here loans were negotiated only on short
terms, and a very expensive class OF dia-
monds and precious stones dealt in
The gamblers and high rolling" poiiti-
clans of that day found Mrs. Lynch's
store \ convenient institution. and at one
time her windows contained the diamond
badges Of many members OF the American
Club. the notorious social organization OF
Tamnany under Boss Tweed. The pms
we're massive tiger heads Of silver and
god. with zach a big diamond pendant
from the beasts jeweled ieeih-
AT this time Mrs Lynchs reputation
had spread 50 mat she was everywhere
spoken OF as the acknowledged leading ex-
pert on diamonds 5n this city. Sne con-
Quoted lucrative trade as an appraiser
II connection WITH her store
As the part Of the city where her shop
as situated was al the time infested with
gambling concerns and overfloSing TErh
money. westa poured IN a; me close
OF the wa- Mrs Lynch toa7d herself Pos-
sessed o. real estate valued a. nearly z
million dollars.
To combine business with pleasure she
found II now agreeable sad very pToats-
BE u make annual trsTSS . Europe. where
she IS a5usnet Esds t4ssness co-nacsi1-s
and erougas home many rev fashions II
sewelIy
Believing that the neE5tlsting q private
loans somewhat hurt her regular Sus.-
7. ss with The general Plso8c. Mrs. Lynch
cut Of ms b-aach ee1sl-sly AID fhez Sc
red ster-yezr felse % tas = store OF
tha SOUTHWEST corner Of Broadway end
Tranty-sesoy7s street. formerly f7a dry
goods store % J 9 Jo1rsron. Tasss
place soon became recs<zize3 IS a DE-
s&raoIe ste f7r nzs5ness-she carter sssn
being soa ne move Gptc~F1-so tkAt Ma
Lynch was ovsred a. hSzvsnce o. g sss
sAar 7f~sar 49, am@=z = as tNr-~asr