The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1910-02-04

the brother in this city heard of the
matter and Went to Willnar couple
of months ago to make personal in
,vestigation. He was no more pleased
with the women than the neighbors had
been, and he demonstrated with his
brother for keeping them. GINS Kirby
was sensitive on the subject and chided
!, his brother for interfering, and the
result was that Samuel r. Kirby re-
turned to. Mankato next day.
| A month or so ago Gus Kirby disap-
''peared. He had talked of going Ia
California to spend the winter, but
since leaving his brother has not heard
Il word from him. In fact, Gus Kirby
has not written since the visit of his
brother to Willmar, two months ago, al
though before that time he wrote, fire.
quently. The neighbors became sus-
'picious, as no one heard from the miss
ing man, and again Samuel Il. Kirby
was aroused to action.
/ Bore Resemblance to Mrs. Guinness.
| On his visit to Willmar, Mr. Kirby
noticed that the housekeeper bore Il
strong resemblance to the published pic.
lures OF Mrs. Guinness, and thinking
that possibly she might be one and
the same, he wrote to the officials
at South Bend, Ind. ten days ago for
"a photograph and description OF the
woman. These were promptly forwarded,
and confirmed Mr.. Kirby in his sus-
ipicions and he left for WiIlmar Friday,
intending to institute thorough in
,vestigation.
Last night young Mr.. Kirby received
q telephone message from his father
saying that he was at the depot await
ing the arrival of the train from the
Isouth, which would bring a detective
from Indiana, who knew Mrs. Guinness
and could identify her. With the sher-
iff, they planned TO go to the farm
last night or this morning and start
their investigation.
| a thing that caused suspicion was 4
report that the hou.ekeeper had re-
,eeived letters from her sister, who sew
eral weeks ago went away. These let
ttrs were from different towns, and in
them the writer told OF stopping at
the best hotels, and seemingly she, had
plenty of money, although before that
Iclaiming to have nothing. The last
heard from she was travelling in Old
Mexico. The neighbors question wheth-
Ter the two women are really sisters.
HAD FEARS FOR BROTHER.
Wilmar, Mimi, Jan. 3l.-The only
Question discussed in Willmar last night
is whether or not the housekeeper at
the Gustavus Kirby farm, fourteen
miles northeast of here, is Mrs. Gun
mess, the alleged arch murderess of La
Porte, Ind.
The general opinion was that she is
not. Several persons who have seen
her and who have tonight examined
the photographs of Mrs. Guinness say
!, there is little resemblance.
Sheriff Bob Blonde does not think she
/ is the much wanted woman. The only
man who seems really convinced the
woman, Mrs. Casey, as she calls her.
self, is in reality Mrs. Guinness. is
Samuel Kirby. Here in WiImar, he is
called the detective" People smile at
his theories, but with him it is no Joke
lie believes his brother is every night
in danger of being killed. Last night he
walked from near the Kirby !. farm,
where he has been watching his broth
1er's home, to Kandiyohi, where he came
on the train to Willmar.
People here say there is no rcsem-
biance between this woman and Mrs.
Guinness" he said, shut they cannot sec
as far as their nose; know she is the
fright one and I am not going TO sit
by and see my brother wronoed. This
woman is Wrapping him around her
finger, and no one knows what she may
do. We can find out nothing about
this woman. She tells first one tale
land then another. My old mother invited
her. to- our house for three days once
and during that time she never combed
her hair or washed her face. There is
something wrong at that house, but no
one will help me do anything"
Both the Kirby brothers are well-to-
do. They are twins and came here
years ago when land was cheap They
secured farms, and now they are
wealthy. III
Gustavus Kirby recently sold his fine
farm for about $4,000 in cash and
leighty acres of land. He is supposed to
have this money now.
Mrs. Casey, as his hOusekeeper calls
herself, has r little hoy four years old
with her, whom" sh6 claims as her own.
Her general description corresponds
with that of Mrs Guinness. Her hands
land feet are small. There is enough Of
to warrant an investigation
(which will be made when Chief of Po-
lice Cochran of La Porte, Ind, arrives,
which he is expected to do early in
,the morning.
If the woman turns out to be Mrs.
Guinness, there will be surprise in
|stOre for this town and community.
From MONDAYS Daliy