The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-25
TO MRS. PULLMAN
Woman Suicide Writes Note
of Explanation
Before Taking Her Own Lie by
Means of Gas.
FLAMES COACHMAN
Who Had Just Feen PensiOned
by Wealthy ChicagOan.
He Tells Whole Story at C0r0-
ner's Inquest.

Chicago. Dec 25.-In a letter address,
ed to Mrs. George NJ Pullman. deciar-
ing that Mrs. Pullman's coachn1an had
made life unbearable. Elizabeth stew
ems. "a years old, gave her reason LOT
taking her own life. She was found
dead in a room of her apartment at
sos East Thirtieth street. She had IN
hailed gas through a rubber hose The
suicide revealed through testimony
given at an inquest conducted by Dep
uty Coroner Hermann a rev hours ID
ter the dual life led by Mrs. Pullman
coachman He is Henry Windlsh ana
he was pensioned by Mrs. Pullman
few days ago Besides his pension, ne
testified at the inquest, he has an IN
come of $4,000 a year from stocks ana
bonds in which he invested his savings.
there were found in Miss Stevens room
others addressed Dear Fred" ana
.'rThonas E Stevens" The latter was
the brother of the deeedent, clerk
living In 1888 Indiana avenue The po-
lice connect a Fred Smith. 119 East
Twenty-second street, with the case
but have been unable to ascertain
whether he is the Fred to whom one
of the notes was addressed
Note to Mrs. Pullman.
The note to Mrs. Pullman as read
into the record of testimony at the
INQUEST was dS lOllOhS.
MRS. George NJ. Pullman. Dear
Madame am writing to you for the
last time to anyone. May you forgive
me for what I am about to do, put
your coachman has certainty haunt
ed me- Life is not worth anything
any more to me- and he has certainly
scandalized me"
1t was unsigned, but Windish iden- |
tilted at a glance the handwriting as
that of Miss Stevens.
,iv,a INindiSh said |
that he had spent $4,000 on Miss
stevens in the last three years, but |
that his suspicion that another man |
had entered their life caused him TO |
leave her. He said that when ne be- |
came intimately acquainted with her
three years ago she was penniless, but /
that at the time of her death she pos !
sessed valuable bonds and nearly /
$1,000 in cash.
He admitted that he and Miss
stevens had been known three years (
as Mr. and Mrs. ]. H. Carter" The
fiat in Thirtieth street he had rented |
for her only three months ago. he said.
Windish on the Stand.
windish was examined by Deputy
Coroner Hermann as follows:
What is your name?''
- Henry Windish is my right name.
but 1 have also been known as j. H.
Carter"
Where do you live p"
mo. 1929 Prairie avenue"
Windish then said he was employed
by Mrs. Pullman.
How long have you known Miss
Stevens %
About IA years. but not intimately
until about three years ago"
Did you live as man and Wife,"
Yes. for three years, under the
name of J. L. Carter and wife"
Tell something of your life
We lived together at intervals for |
the last three years. Her brother.
Tom, lived there part of the time and !
he was led to believe that we We're
actually married. Three months ago
the decedent moved into the fiat at
Thirtieth street and Cottage Grove
avenue. and as usual. I paid the rent
and all the incidentals.
For some time. have been suspf- /
cious that another man had entered +
our lives. but Elizabeth denied it II
learned, however, that the mans :
name was Smith and after a short
talk with her brother, Tom, whom /
met last Saturday. she and I parted.
The Other Man.
In the last three years 1 have spent |
$4,000 on her and 1 learned that l was
footing the bills. 1 told her that she
was ungratefu1 and untruthful and that
/ did not care to see her gain. I had
intended to go east in two weeks and
had wished her to accompany me. but
SuC the chicago nat. The
trouble was that she was infatuated /
with this other man.
Last Tuesday she came to me and |
told me she intended to commit sui
eide. but / had heard that from her |
before. and l paid no particular atten-
ton to her"
L you spent $4,000 in three years on |
Miss Stevens, you must have drawn a |
rather a large salary. did you not?"
We'll. Mrs. Pullman has just pension |
ed me- but my stock and bonds give
me an income of $4,000 a year,
You say you are married. Do you
live at the Pullman home with your |
wife?''
Yes. and happily
The brother of Miss Stevens testified