The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-03-12
Topeka SENSATION
Christian Science Said to be
Responsible in Case.
SUPPOSED CASE OF SUICIDE
Alice Stafford Disappears in
Broad Day.
SUPPOSED CASE OF SUICIDE

I
Stafford. widow of Harry Stafford, who
died two years ago just after his election
TO the legislature, wandered from house
to house early yesterday morning and
| nothing has been heard or seen of her
since. The friends of the family have
| hunted everywhere imaginable, but have
| found no trace. 1t is feared that during a
fit of mental alteration. she went to the
| Kansas river which is but two blocks
! from her home 40S West Railroad street,
North Topeka, and committed suicide.
This IS the theory which has the most
| general credence, although the immedi-
ate family, which consists of four chill
dren, refuse to accept it as yet. They
have no theory to counterbalance it.
although they have several minor ones
TO account for her absence.
The strangest thing about the whole
affair is that when she left the house
Mrs. Stafford did not take a single article
of clothing with her. All her clothes
We're found yesterday where she left them
before retiring. 1t was thought fer a
time that she had worn flannel night
dress and a pair of house slippers, but
later in the day these were found as
We're all Of the clothes and other clothing
worn or owned by her The dresses and
other clothing kept in her clothes press
were undisturbed and the underclothing
was found just as she had removed it
before going to bed
So far as known there was no reason
for self-destruction. The story was cir
culated yesterday that she was in finan-
cial straits, but this was disapproved by
investigation at the bank where she de-
posted her money. Her physical health.
it is said was perfect although she had
been worrying recently over minor mat
ters
Several months ago Mrs Stafford took
up the study of Christian Science and
had become deeply interested in it. The
study Of this. it is thought had d great
deal to do with her mental condition. Mrs.
w. c. Fisk. mental physician and Chris
tian Science light was with her Monday
night as late rs 10 o'clock and stayed
until Mrs. Stafford had gone to bed. Young
Harry Stafford then took Mrs. Fisk home.
Shortly after Miss Alice Stafford returned
i'm and spoke to her mother and asked
her how she was feeling. Mrs. Stafford re-
piled that she was all right and the
daughter then went to bed. This was
shortly before midnight. Yesterday morn
ing Miss Alice Stafford was awakened
by the servant girl. who sleeps away
from the house. ringing the bell. and,
wishing to save her mother the trouble
of getting up. she did so and let the girl
in. She then looked in the sitting room
whore her mother had been sleeping dur
ing the cold snap. and found her mother
gone
She at once instituted a search of the
house. but this revealed nothing The
premises were thoroughly overlooked,
but stin nothing was found to Indicate
where the mother had gone. AS stated
before, the womans clothing was intact
and even the night dress had been taken
OF and thrown on the bed.
The neishbors were called in and A. F.
Williams. who was Henry Safford's law
partner, was summoned. 1t was at first
that perhaps Mrs. Stafford had merely
wandered from home and word would be
sent that she had been found. The police
were notified OF the case. but although
two officers were detailed their search
brought nothing to light. As the day
wore away it became evident to the
friends that the woman had made away
with herself.
Mrs Stafford had been in a bad mental
condition for several weeks. She studied
the Christian Science manual much of
her time and had long conferences with
Mrs Fisk. Monday night a young son.
Albert. went into the sitting room and
found his mother lying on the couch with
her face buried in the pillows. He spoke
to her. but she would not answer. The
other children went in the room. but she
still refused 10 speak TO them and they
sent for Mrs. Fisk who came immed-
ately The Christian Science woman
seemed 10 bring Mrs Stafford to her ra-
tional self again and the wild look in her
eyes. which had been noted by the child.
went away. When Mrs. Fisk left the
house al 10 o'clock Mrs Stafford was feel
ing in good spirits.