Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-03-17

Florence NJ. McVean, the handsome
young widow who recently figured so
sensationally in connection with the
receipt of box of poisoned candy and
numerous anonymous letters OF
scurrilous nature, is lying at her home
in critical condition as a result of
burns inflicted by a bottle Of carbolic
acid thrown upon her by a mysterious
woman. If the stories told by the
members of the McVean household are
true, this second attempt upon the life
of Mrs. McVean may prove the tragic
sequel to a persecution that has been
waged on her apparently by jealous
woman for the last four months. Ac-
cording to the statement OF Miss Me-
graw, Mrs. McVean's sister, tall,
heayily-veiled woman called at the
McVean residence, No 40l5 Cook ave-
nue., shortly after o'clock last night.
Mrs. McVean answered the ring in
person. By the dim light OF an arc
lamp some distance away she did not
recognize the caller, so she asked:
rs there anything l can do for you,
MADAME"
The echo of her words had not died
away when the figure in black made
quick, nervous move forward.
Damn you, l have you now" was
her only answer. The words had
spiteful, venemous ring. The heavy
veil was partly raised and from under
it came forth a vessel. The hand that
held the vessel shot forward and dash
ed the contents of bottle OF carbolic
acid into Mrs. McVean's face. The vic
tim screamed and retreated into the
house, while her assailant fled up the
street A few moments later Miss
Megraw, who had been to a neighbor-
ing drug store, returned home ana
found her sister writhing in agony on
the couch in the parlor. Her face was
horribly burned. Her eyes were in
jured and her back and breast fright
fully SCARED. DR.. G. G. LYDIA, whose
Office is a block away, was summoned
and dressed Mrs. McVean's injuries.
He states that her chances of recovery
are about one in hundred, but even
if she does get well her face will be
mutilated and she will be blind for life.
The affair was not reported to the
police until this morning. Chief OF
Detectives Desmond detailed half
dozen of his best men on the case,
but they have not so far been able TO
discover the slightest trace of Mrs. Nc
Vean's assailant. None Of the neigh
bors heard Mrs. McVean scream; Meth
er did they see any woman fleeing from
the house. Miss McGraw's statements
as to the time she left and returned
to her house are conflicting, and other
circumstances connected with the mat
ter are so peculiar that the police are
at a loss to form definite theory that
the assault was the work Of woman
driven to such desperate means by jeal-
ousy, which is the motive assigned by
the family Of Mrs. McVean and by her
self.
Mrs. McVean is 80 years old. Her
husband was a very prominent physt-
clan. He died several years ago.
Since then she has been living with her
mother and sister in handsome home
in the west end. She had been sick
quite often, and DR.. Frank A. Glasgow,
a bachelor physician of excellent
standing and family, attended her.
QUEER STORY OF PERSECUTION.
Early in February Mrs. McVean
complained to the police that box OF
poisoned candy had been sent TO her
through the mail. Previous 10 that
time she had been receiving anony-
nous letters almost daily. Letters in
the same hand were also sent to DR..
Glasgow. The writer accused Mrs. Nc
Vean of having designs on the Doctor
in a matrimonial way. Evidently the
writer OF the letters was jealous.
DR.. Glasgow, however. denied that
his relations with Mrs. McVean were
other than professional. Mrs. McVean
told the police that she suspected Miss
Zoe Graham, p years old, the daughter
OF a well-to-do plumbing contractor.
The police made a careful investiga-
ton and completely exonerated Miss
Graham. The laJter's family endeay-
ored to prosecute the young widow
for dragging the girl into the affair,
but the Prosecuting Attorney refused
to issue the warrant. The police went
to the candy store from which the box
of sweets which had been sent 10 Mrs.
was bought. The saleswoman
said she got card from the purchaser
and produced il. 1t was that OF Mrs.
McVean.
The saIeswornan then Identified Mrs. Nc
Vean as the purchaser OF the candy. Mrs
McVean indignantly denied that she had
sent the candy 10 herself or that she
bought Il Al the store in question and said
she had not been down town for several
months The handwriting On the mail was
sid 10 resemble closely that of Mrs Nc
Vean. At any rate the police concluded
that she had sent the letters and candy 70
herself. ard the matter was turned over
to the Federal Authorities. The latter could
secure nothing tangible on which TO pro-
cead and the case was dropped Since then
Mrs NcTean says. letters have been re-
ceived By her al intervals, and only this
morning a pastsboard wrapper. containing
a Hthograph Of an actor was received By
Mrs NcVean-
IN ore corner was the fac smile OF an
envelope in which Mrs Mcyean inclosed
a letter TO DR.. Glasgow Pasted nsxt
10 this was the fac simEte of the card
which Mrs sTcyean is said 70 have left
at the store where she purchased the
candy This handwriting. apparently that
OF q WOMAN was disguised Evidently
there was another address underneath.
The wrapper will be carefully steamed TO
get 1t It. The opinion has been expressed
thai Mn NcTeau's mind = affected and