Los Angeles herald., 1905-11-25
DEATH CLAIMS VICTIM BEFORE
OFFICER ARRIVES WITH WRIT
W0MAN'S BODY LEANS AGAINST
DOOR
Constable Forces Way Into Fashion,
able Apartment In WestIake Dis
trlet, to Find Grim Reaper
Had Served Attachment

Braced against a door in a sitting
posture, the lifeless body of woman
known as Mrs. l.. N. Ruch was found
by Deputy Constable j. d. Adams in a
bedroom at the front of an upstairs
fiat at 1902 West Sixth street yesterday
afternoon.
After forcing the rear door of the
apartment the officer, who was there
to serve an attachment, discovered
that one room was closed. Upon try
ing the door he found that 1t was held
shut by weight within and with an
effort gained entrance.
For few seconds Adams was struck
dumb by the sight that he beheld Be-
fore him lay the prostrate form of the
woman, her face swollen and purple
and her arms folded composedly across
her breast The officer hastened to the
telephone and notified the police
Detectives Boyd and Rich arrived at
the West Sixth street fiat within a
few minutes and began a hasty ex-
animation, which resulted in the de-
cision that Mrs. Ruch's death was from
natural cause.
An autopsy held at Pierce Bros
morgue later in the afternoon brought
out the fact that death was due to
apoplexy
l1NeSIlBdJlOl1 TeNedleu IUdl Tue WO-
man, whose real name was King, un-
doubtedly died, alone In the house,
some time between Tuesday morning
and Wednesday. A copy of a local
paper dated Tuesday was found on the
table in the parlor and mail and pa
pers dated Wednesday and later was
found beneath the door, where 1t had
been left by the carriers.
Was a Handsome Woman
Mrs. C. w. King came to Los Angeles
from Minneapolis during the latter part
of August and went to the Hollenbeck
hotel. The woman came in contact
with a number of residents of the
Westlake district. Shortly after her ar
rival, Mrs. King made known that her
husband was connected with the Day.
export Ga.) Malt and Brewing COM
pany, and had recently fallen heir to
100000.
From the appearance of the corpse
descriptions and pictures, hrs. King
was about so years old, feet inches
in height, heavily built and woman
of remarkably attractive appearance.
Aquaintances, who knew her slightly,
were favorably impressed with her
manner and looks.
After remaining at the Hollenbeck
hotel a short time she took rooms tenn
porarily with newly made friends in
the Westlake district. In September
Mrs. King was introduced to C. S.
Holdman of 1900 West Sixth street and
from him rented the fiat on the sec
ond floor.
Mrs. King furnished the fiat luxuri-
ously and rented the larger part of it
to two families. Within a short time
collectors began to call, but were turned
away, it is said, on the promise that
she would have money soon.
Officer Finds Body
Recently Mr.. Holdman requested Mrs.
King to dismiss her roomers, as he had
rented her the fiat on the condition
that her family of five would occupy 1t
and roomers were not satisfactory.
Tuesday morning expressmen removed
the belongings of the roomers, and
since that time nothing was heard Of
the occupants of the fiat.
Rumors had begun to spread
throughout the vicinity that Mrs. King
whom the neighbors knew as Mrs.
Ruch had lett. 1t was also whispered
that it was caused by bills. Yesterday
Constable Adams was given a writ of
attachment for part of the goods in
the woman's apartments. Finding the
rear screen hooked he forced his way
in and in searching the house for
the occupants found the body.
Theories of robbery and murder were
at once dispelled by the finding of
three rings and other minor articles of
jewelry in the room. AS soon as the
autopsy was held the theory of self