New-York tribune., 1905-02-24
FOUL PLAY SUSPECTED.
WOMAN BURNS TO DEATH.
Coacbman of Wealthy Recluse Who
Perishes tn House Missing.

j., D
Ross. an old and wealthy recluse, lost her life in
the burning of her house, No. 149 High-st.,
Montclair, near the West Orange line. early this
morning. Her coachman, whose name is
known, is also supposed to have perished in the
flames but until this fact be established the
death Of Mrs. Ross is surrounded by mystery
that points to foul play. The fire in Mrs. Ross's
house spread 10 three adjoining dwellings. One
was vacant. but the other two were occupied by
James H. Peck and Edward Myerson. who, with
their families, had barely time gather few
personal effects and save themselves. The fire.
men were helpless because of a lack of water
pressure due to break in the main.
Mrs Ross was the widow of Theodore A Ross
secretary of the Grand Lodge of odd Fellows,
and came from Baltimore to Montclar two years
ago and purchased the house where she met her
death She was fond of animals, and devoted
one room to the care of birds, parrots and other
pets. Although seventy-seven years of age and
lame, as the result of partial paralysis. she lived
alone with one two servants. Before last
Saturday she had In her employ Robert Christ
man. a negro, and his wife. She discharged
them and hired a white man. He occupied
spare room the third floor No one knows
where he came from. Yesterday Mrs Peck and
other neighbors heard Mrs. Ross demonstrate
with her new hired man. She said to him. You
will have to improve at least 100 per cent If you
expect TO stay" The coachnan retired mutter-
ing unintelligible words and garing at her
angrily.
Mrs. Charles scudder. who lives opposite. saw
smoke issuing from window this morning and
called for help. Walter Edwards, a neighbor,
rushed up the stairs TO call Mrs. Ross but could
not get to her room. Trowbridge Axworthy, an
other negihbor followed. and forced his way
the upper floor. But the fire had gained
much headway that he compelled to jump
from a window and Edwards retreated by the
stairs, half sufocated with smoke. The hired
man on the upper floor, if he there
not thought of until some one suggested that
possibly he had been attracted by Mrs. Ross's
jewelry The theory was suggested that he had
robbed her and then set fire to the house. Mean
while attention turned to saving the ad-
joining premises and the hired for
gotten. The Ross house was reduced to ashes
in less than twenty minutes.
Henry Gallagher CHEZ = police of Montclair.
began early TO work on = .ncendiary theory.
At ! o'clock the body of Mrs. Ross found.
Chief Gallagher waited until late in the after
noon, while the search for the coachman's body
was continued without success. Then he de-
cided to act the incendiary theory and sought
County Prosecutor Young at his office in New
ark.
The chief says the woman was highly &C.
centric. Some time ago, he said she went to
the Children's Aid Society and made request
to for hSme homeless little girl. girl of
twelve years was placed in her home. short
time thereafter it learned that Mrs. Ross
had failed to send the child to school, agreed.
and a Montclair officer went to her home and
took the young girl away from her. Neghbors
say that she was always in fear that her song
birds, parrots and other birds would suffer
from the cold and it a usual thing for her
to arise in the course Of the night and light
a japanese stove, which she kept in her aviary.
On Saturday last Edward S. Black, a well
known Newark lawyer. called at the home Of
Mrs Ross in response to a letter sent by her,
and assisted in executing her will. Mrs. Joseph
Peck and Mrs. Charles H Scudder. two neigh
bors were called in to witness the document.
M b. Wallace, a real estate man of Orange is
a brother Of Mrs Ross He could not give any
explanation concerning his sisters object in
making her will. 1t has developed that the new
hired coachman arrived Saturday while the
will was being drawn The police have a de-
scription of the man, and will communicate
with neighboring towns and cities.