The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-03-18
Mrs. Cock, 4 Rse|uss, Olss
Leaving No Clue 10 Her Identity
SHE HAD STRANGE FANcIEs
Her Full Lsagih Pstrslt II OH Like One
Neb|sman Might Have Had Painted.
The Breaking Of Seals

San Francisco, Marcn h.-N nen tne
seals OF the public administrator on the
door OF the second room of the home OF
Mrs Bennett Cook, the rich and mysteri-
Gus recluse who died recently, were
broken open, the same amazing condition
OF affairs was found az that which existed
IN the other rooms.
The place was packed to the ceilings
with junk of all known descriptions. some
OF IL possibly being OF value. but the great
bulk of 1t being mt only for the scaven-
gers dump cart Boxes and tins OF
shells, bundles OF newspaper clippings
dating back for 30 years. curious fancy
work combinations of seaweeds, shells
and wax flowers Chinese ornaments OF
every known variety, mildewed photo
graphs and books, kindling wood tied up
in paper, odds and ends obviously pur-
chased at bankrupt sales, boxes OF mys-
terious compounds which smelled vilely.
and few scattered letters-such things.
for the most part. were the contents OF
the room.
The only object OF interest found was a
life-size full-figure portrait In oil OF the
deceased eccentric who spent the last 20
years of her life I'm the rooms.
The portrait is one painted when Mrs.
Bennett Cook was girl OF perhaps 20
years of age, when she was called by
10 know. IL shows fresh-faced. bright
looking girl I'm rich costume OF the mode
OF half century ago. AS in the case of
the smaller oil portrait found In the rooms
the name of the artist, IL IL ever had been
placed on the canvas. has disappeared
The picture in Its tarnished gilt frame
remains as the memory OF youth the
secret off which seems destined TO be
sealed book.
The discovery of the portrait strength
ems the current belief that the curious
old recluse had an early history of 40
sorbing interest. That she was an Eng
lish woman is known, and that she was
accustomed to the usages OF good So
ciety has also been established, and the
portrait IL one which only wealthy
man, perhaps a nobleman, would have
had executed to favorite daughter.
Reference has been made TO the marked
resemblance which I'm later years Mrs.
Bennett Cook bore to the late Queen Vics
toria, but there is no trace OF a likeness
in the big portsit to the extant pictures
OF Victoria as she appeared In the early
days OF her reign.
For years the woman spent her time In
attending To her dogs, cats and parrots,
in making strange articles of no pecun-
iary value. In teaching Chinese TO speak
English and incidentally lending them
money which they never returned She
was extravagantly kind to animals and
any sick cat or lame dog WHICH she might
find was sure OF domicile for the re-
mainder of it's miserable life. To some
of these animals she took a weird fancy,
and their stuffed remains form consid-
cradle part of the property which she,
dying intestate, has left for the enrich
ment or this state OF California.
John Farnham, the public administra-
tor has given up hope OF finding out
anything about the old woman unless
David Heron. her friend OF Is years, can
supply Information. Her letters and pa
pers have yielded nothing.
One letter. found yesterday. Is from a
Miss T. Mumby. I'm care OF c. Thorald.
welham Hall, Retford. Nottinghamshire,
England" dated in 1885, and asking in
formation about a brother. but IL is OBJ
viously the letter of a stranger A book
contains an inscription saying that II
was presented to Mrs. Cook on Dec. 2S,
1866. by Colonel Warrell. Another letter.
written by herself, and which, though
undated, Is plainly very, old, was found
among the papers. II was superscribed
Dear Sister" but the sister whose
name and address were not indicated.
never received 1t, for the reason that II
was never sent.
The letter recited that she had been
crying all night because a Chinese who
owed her 5000 had died.
In such shape the case rests at pres
ent. The employees of the public adminis-
traitor are bringing order out OF chaos,
and in a few DAYS there will be a sale.
when other collectors OF rubbish will
have a chance to add to their stores.