The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-27
MYSTERY TO Be SOLVED
A Policeman Finds Sarah Clayville
Dead in Her Room.
Theory of Murder Borne ont by Over
turned Chairs and Other Evidences
tie Suggests suicide-ElocdstainS
on the Floor Nenr the Bcdy.

on the Floor Ncnr the Bcdy.
What may prove to be a murder was
brought 10 light late yesterday af ernoon
by the discovery of the bSdy Of Salie
Clayyille, tnirty-cight years OF age. at
her home, 2141 y Street northwest Th3
remains were in a badly decomposed
state. Death had evidently occurred a
week before, though from what cause is
yet uncertain. The remains were re
moved to the morgue, Coroner hewitt no
titled, and an autopsy will be made this
morning at 1880 o'clock. Word was sent
last night to friends of the deceased, who
are expected to arrive here today.
Miss Clayville came to Washington six
years ago She had some money, which
she invested in various ways. One of
these Investments was the purchase of
the n Street house, where death overlook
her Other real estate ventures made
by Miss Clayville, through an F Street
real estate broker, are said TO nave
proved unsuccessful, resulting in consid-
cradle loss to her. She became reduced
to the necessity of earning a living, and
opened boarding house at her y street
trous, and was given up. S.nce May last
she has lived alone.
The last ti-e Miss Clayyille was seen
alive was on the 18th instant. For more
than a week the house appeared deserted
Neighbors were not alarmed at her dis
appearance, for she lived quietly. letter
carrier yesterday had occasion to deliver
q letter addressed to Miss Clayyille. lie
called at the house, rang the bell several
k.-+ A II o
able odor was noticeable about the place,
and the carrier informed the Third pre-
cinct police. Sergeant Judge and Police
man Potter went TO the house TO make an
investigation. Potter broke into the
dwelling through a rear basement window.
He went to the second floor, where The
odor was almost unbearable.
At the front OF the house there are two
rooms, separated by folding doors. Potter
made his way to the front room and there
he found the remains of Miss Clayyille
lying partly upon a sofa, partly upon the
floor, and everything about the rooms in
confusion. Chairs were overturned and
other furniture was in disorder. There
were signs of a struggle. The sofa had
been dragged into the centre Of the front
room. A large rug partially covered the
form of the dead woman. Beneath a pill
low upon which her head rested was an
empty half Pint flask. For the space of
several feet about the sofa blood had
flowed. S. aiming the floor. a large basin
was found near the sofa, into which the
woman had evidently expectorated prior
to her death. Coroner hewitt was at once
notified Of the discovery Of the policemen. g.
After the coroner had viewed the re-
mains and surroundings the body was re-
moved to the morgua. The condition OF
the remains would not allow OF an exami-
nation prior TO the autopsy. which viii be
performed by Deputy Coroner Glazebrook
this morning. An inquest will likely be
arranged for today.
= Two theories are presented to the po-
lice who are investigating the case. They
are suicide and murder, each being sup
ported by train CT circumstarc S. 1t is
stated by those who knew Miss Clayville
that she had become despondeEt about
financial matters Some months ago, it is
alleged, her home was sold at public auc-
ition. Payments cn other property are
said to have been long due, and the
woman vas reduced TO sore straits for
money 1t IS also pointed out that the
empty fask found beneath the pill5w nay
have contained poison which caused
death.
There is nothing to throw any light on
the disorder everywhere apparent. The
appearance Of the rooms where Mss
Clayville died shows every evidence of a
struggle. The blood stains On the f9or,
about the rugs and sofa. are inexplicable
and give color to the theory that murder
has been committed.
Several persons were seen last night by
the police and questioned. woman
named annie, who declined to give her
full name, residing on Thirteenth Street
northwest, knew the deceased. She stated
that she called at the Clayville home one
~. 1aG lta
in. She told the police that she had an
engagement with Miss Clayville. who was
despondent and wished advice. She said
she had known Miss Clayville several
Eears, but knew nothing regarding her
death.
James R. Mcclellan, a grocer residing
at 1902 TweIiy-first Street northwest,
was seen last night by Times reporter.
He had known Miss Clayvilie, he said,
for several years. She had told him of
her financial difficulties. and made men
tion of the loss some years ago Of con-
siderable money, principally through ILL
advised investments. Mcclellan stated
that the n Street house was sold at pub
lie auction about six weeks ago. Last
winter. he said, Miss Clayville, who had
spent several months of the previous sum-
mer in Philadelphia, returned here, open
ed her house, and took boarders. These
all left her in May, and she had since
lived alone. At the time of her death Miss
Clayyiile owned two lots across the river,
in Alexandria County, Va, on which, 1t
is said, taxes are now overdue. letter
addressed to the deceased, in the care of
Francis Hufty, the real estate dealer, was
received by the latter yesterday after
noon.
There is one fact In connection with the
case which throws a glimmer OF light
upon the time of Miss Clayville's death.
Two copies of The Times, dated September
II and is, respectively, were found upon
a small table in the rear parlor.