The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-12-10
HER GOWNS STOLEN
Philadelphia Girl a Victim of
Queer Thieving.
NEVER MONEY NOR JEWELS
But Only New and Richest
Gowns Taken.

ell, OF Philadelphias exclusive social set,
IS the heroine of a strange mieadven-
ture, about which all the town is talking.
A few days ago the police were n5uned
of the loss Of several thousand dollars
worth of creations Of famous Partisan
modises belonging to her, which disap-
peared from the residence of Miss How
ellis mother.
This is not the first nor the second time
that Miss HoweTs wardrobe has been
ransacked.
No valuables, jewelry or money was
taken, nothing but dresses which would
be recognized by the owner if worn by
any other person. This has led to the
theory that the robbery was committed
for revenge. In each case but one class
Of articles have been taken-costly gowns
and wraps. The loss is trifing by the side
Of the sense of insecurity it has inspired
in the minds Of Miss Howell and her
mother.
Miss HowelPs father died several years
ago, leaving a comfortable fortune. Miss
Howell is beautiful and has a legion Of
admirers. As far as is known she is
heart whole. She dresses divinely. Mrs.
Howell and her daughter visit Europe
each year It is their custom to replen-
ish their wardrobe in Paris, and these
visits have been chronicled in the society
columns. 4 few weeks ago Miss Howell
returned from one Of these annual Wis
its, bringing several dresses made by
leading Paris modistes.
The scene Of the crime is a substan-
tial old-fashioned mansion of aristo-
cratic plainness Of exterior. Within side
boards filed with solid silver, a library
richly furnished, articles of bric-a-brac,
silver and china afford a tempting field
for the burglar.
The first robbery occurred four years ago.
Since that time the rear Of the house
has been barricaded. For several years
past Mrs Howell and her daughter have
occupied front sleeping rooms on the third
floor locking themselves in nightly.
Miss Howell was out late on the even
ing Of the most recent robbery. When
one Of the servants left the house early
next morning for mass she found the
front door slightly ajar, but seemed TO
have paid but slight attention to this.
When Miss Howell arose she sought out
one Of her dresses. To her consterna-
ton she found most of her newest gowns
gone-an ermlne cape, a large military
cape more than half dozen dresses
ell had vanished The wardrobe was
open The thief had secured only the
newest and most valuable of its contents.
Diamond rings. and other valuable jewels
were ignored.
It was decided 10 notify the police, but
as the investigation proceeded the mys-
terry grew greater.
Why had nothing been stolen but the
dresses Of the daughter of the house?
One remarkable incident was the re-
moval Of two revenue stamps from the
desk. They were found on the stairs. and
by their side were two checks signed in
blank by Mrs. Howell, A package OF
money was IN view.
The wardrobe in which the dresses were
kept is new To this her wares had been
transferred a few weeks ago, and this fact
must have been known to the thief Many
think the robbery was the work of a dis
appointed suffer or an envious female ac-
quaintance.
The robbery occurred between . and
O'Clock in the morning. No expert bur
glar would take the chance of walking
the steets at night with a bundle of
clothes. Inquiry fails TO show that any
wagon or other conveyance was seen in
the vicinity
Miss Howell is unable to think Of any
person who could be suspected. In her
judgement these crimes were the act of
the same person, but who it IS or what
the motive she is ot-a loss to conject-
ure.
The detective bureau confesses itself
puzzled \ fact that causes them per
pleXity is that no forci5le entry TO the
house was made Despite the striking
nature oc the garments thus distracted
no evidence has been secured of their
disposal Every place in the city at
which they might have been pawned has
been examined.
The absence or motive increases the