Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-01
CORONER PROBING
DEEP MYSTERY
FINDS NEW THEORY IN OCEAN
PARK CASE
SUICIDE MAY BE SOLVED
Woman Whose Body Is Unidentified
May Have Been a Guest at the
Westminster Hotel in Los
Angeles

Was the woman whose body was
found floating in the surf off Ocean
Park Sunday, the same one who was
taken i'll at the Westminster hotel
few weeks ago, and when she had par
TALLY recovered was found to be in
destitute circumstances?
This is the question that is puzzling
Coroner Trout and the authorities just
now. If their theory Is correct there
is doubtless a pathetic story back of
the case, which now appears to be
shrouded in deepest mystery.
MRS. Webster, professionally Maria
Stone" These are the two names
under which the unfortunate woman
who stopped at the hotel was known.
A letter written to the postmaster OF
nearby town, relating to the for
warding of certain mail, was returned
to the local hotel few days ago and
bore the above signature.
Descriptions Closely Tally
Manager r. w. Lariatt of the West
minister gave Coroner Trout u descrip-
ton of Mrs. Webster, or Maria stone,
yesterday, and it is said to have tai
lied with that of the corpse found at
Ocean Park. A gold tooth on the left
side of Mrs Webster's mouth ans
wers to the description of the one
in the. mouth of the deceased.
About six weeks ago Mrs. Webster,
on1 q p
ments at the Westminster.
The second day she was there she
was taken i'll, and so serious was her
condition that 1t became necessary to
summon a trained nurse to her bed
side. For about four weeks the wo-
man lay suffering from her affiiction,
but it is said she spoke very little of
her life. No one seemed to know just
who she was, but the clerks say she
was woman of rare culture and re-
finement.
Relates Sad Story
When the woman had partially re-
covered she saw Proprietor Frank
Johnson of the hotel and explained to
him her strained circumstances. She
told him tearfully that she had not a
dollar In the world and knew not
where to get one. She owed large
bill, but could not pay it. Mr.. john
son, considering the unfortunate condi-
ton Of the woman, said he would
make everything alright ana for her
not to worry. Manager Lariatt then
secured quarters for her in a house on
Sixth street, it is said, and since moth
ing has been heard of her.
Last night Lariatt declined to dis
cuss the case. He said he preferred
to await developments. He said the
woman left the hotel in cab and that
he did not know where she had gone.
Asked If he had not found a home for
her on Sixth street he refused to
answer.
Looks Like Suicide
From all accounts 1t appears that the
woman went to the Sixth street place,
however, at Lariatts suggestion. and
his action in taking up the case with
the coroner leads to the belief that
she mysteriopsly disappeared from
there. 1t is regarded as very probable
that she left the place, while in fit
of despondency, and went to Ocean
Park for the deliberate purpose of end
ing her life.
According to Coroner Trout, the body
of the woman found at Ocean Park had
evidently been In the water four or
five days, as 1t was badly decomposed
when discovered. The remains will be
buried at Ocean Park by Undertaken
Guidinger today.
Yesterday afternoon Coroner Trout
received word from W. H. Robinson of
San Luis Obispo. who telegraphed to
him that there was a probability he
could clear up the mystery. that he had
since found whom he feared was the
suicide.