The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-02-04
RECLUsE FREEZES TO DEATH.
Coal in Reach, but She Could Not Move
to Get It.

St Louis, Feb. 3.-Miss Emma Won
/ Haaren, 50 years old, who had lived as a
recluse for more than fifteen years in
| her large house at No. 426 South Fifteenth
! street, was found dead in her room yes
terday afternoon by Special Officer Flynn
and Patrolman Henry Shaperkoetter.
The condition of the body and facts OBJ
! served by the policemen indicate that she
/ had been dead for two weeks.
The police were directed to search for
the woman by DIR. H. E. Miller, of No.
DIST Missouri avenue. a nephew. Several
times in the last two weeks he had been
to the home of his aunt, and found the
house closed.
Yesterday afternoon he made another
visit. determined to solve the mystery of
her disappearance. Finding all the doors
locked. he went to the four courts. asked
for a patroman, and, with him and the
detective. broke down the doors and en-
tered the house.
The body of Miss Won Haaren was found
lying on the floor of the kitchen, near
a stove in which the fire had long since
died out.
DR.. Miller states that his aunt was an
eccentric person. She owned the FIT
teenth street property and lived in it when
the neghborhood was a more desirable
residence district than now. Other fami-
lies moved away, but Miss Won Haaren
continued to live there.
Her nephew repeatedly urged her to
come and live with him, or go to some
other part of the city, and rent apart
ments. This she refused TO do, saying
she preferred to guard her property until
tenant for it could be found.
She lived alone in the house, had no
servants, and seldom appeared on the
streets. She was supplied with funds
by her relatives.
Two weeks ago she disappeared hut her
neighbors made no investigation. Dr.
Miller called and found the doors locked.
He RETAINED from informing the police
thinking his aunt might have been away
on business.
When he asked for an investigation
yesterday he did not believe the worst.
and was almost overcome when. with the
officers he found his aunt lying dead on
the floor
Around her head and shoulders was
wrapped an old shawl. The clothing below
her waist was scsnt. She was lying in
crouched position. as if her last con-
sci0us effort had been to get into chair
which stood a few feet away.
In the hall was found a tub fun Of coal,
and in the larder were provisions. DR..
Miller says his aunt was afflicted with
rheumatism, and thinks that one Of these
attacks caused her to fan to the floor.
She was unable TO summon aid it is
thought and. as TIE fire in the stove
gradually went out, froze 10 death
In the front doorway were found the
daily papers since January IS. indicating
that she had not been able to move around
since that date \ postal from Dr. Mil
Ter. dated January D. was also found.
The police and ueighbors thought that
in the house might be found a hidden
treasure. as there were stories that Miss
Won Haaren was well TO do Dr. Miller
discourages this idea. saying that besides
the property she owned. she had nothing
but what was advanced to her.
The body was taken To the morgue.
DR.. Miller will take charge of it, The
estate will Ire put into the hands Of the
public administrator