The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-02-28
COULDN'T PAY HER RENT
But Rather Than be Eyieted Miss
Leigh Tururd on the Ga~


Philadelphia, Feb. 27-Under exception
pathetic circumstances two women COM
mitted suicide. one by gas asphyziation
and the other by hanging, in this city yes
terday morning. The former-Miss Maude
c. Leigh, a young dressmaker and millner.
at No. 1888 Montgomery avenue-was 10
have been evicted and sold out yesterday
for non-payment of rent, though she had
only two cents remaining her purse. The
later-Mrs. Sally Kramer, Of No. 1913 Mole
sJreet-had long been a victim of Ill health,
and had become so melancholy as TO pre-
fer death by the moose rather than a con-
tnuance OF her surerings.
Miss Leigh had said on Thursday that
she would die in preference TO being evict-
ed. She was q cultivated young woman,
and about a year ago, when her father
became III and her parents quit house
keeping and left the city, she remained
here and undertook 10 support herself as
a seamstress. and rented from Useima c.
Smith the rhree-story brick dwelling No.
1888 Montgomery avenue. Size could .furn-
ish only a small portion for a time; but
for some months she has not only been
unable 10 secure sufficient work. but her
tenants have nearly all gone, and she was
left without means Of support.
For three months Miss Leigh had been
unable to pay her rent and on the 7th of
this month Mr.. Smith placed the matter
in the hands OF Constable Jacob Raymond.
with instructions to levy on the household
goods for the amount of the rent due
SIT. The levy was made that day by Mr.
Raymond's deputy, E. NJ Slemmer, but
Miss Leigh promised to try and raise the
money, and on the Goth paid SO on ac-
count She apparently was unable to
raise the balance. so notice was given her
that she would be sold out.
With the assistance Of the Constable's
deputy and Edward W. West. a young
lawyer, Miss Leigh exerted herself ~
procure another postponen~e- 40 ali IN
availing. as she could not raise any Of
the rent due. To Mr.. West. who was as
sisting her to pack her trunk, preparatory
to her departure from the house on the
occasion of the SALE Miss Leigh on Thurs
day despondently said:
Il will die. l will not live any longervp
Miss Leigh. surely you would not shoot
yourself?" queried West in alarm
"Oh no. was her rejoinder. IT won't
torture myself; just fall asleep"
Before leaving her Mr.. West urged her
to promise that she would do herself no
harm; but she would only say: II am
alive in the morning 1 will go TO New York
and try to get work.
James Gallagher, a watchman, and Rosa
Poison, colored, who took care of Miss
Leigh's rooms, broke in the door OF her
apartment yesterday morning when she did
not rise at the hour expected. and found
her dead but still warm remains upon the
bed with hose from a full flowing gas
get extending TO the body They hurried
her TO st. Joseph's hospital, but she was
past resuscitation.
In Miss Leigh's pocketbook besides the
two cents were found a small package OF
unpaid bills, the notice OF the constable's
sale. and several notices from a Chestnut
street loan company. notifying her to call
and settle note
The suicide Of Mrs. Kramer, who was
a widow Of 81. and had three sons and a
daughter, was discovered by one of the
former, newsboy. When the little feI-
low called: Mother, Mother" without re-
Spouse on arising in the morning he
searched for her, and soon found her hang
ing from the roof of a back shed. She had
ffrr Il