New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-12
MYSTERY WOMAN
ENDS LIFE BY GAS
Coroner, Don't Fuss" She
Writes - Monogram
Identity Clew.

She received no mail, entertained no
visitors, made no acquaintances and
never used the telephone. She asked
no questions and answered none. She
was past fifty and lived alone. In her
little three-room furnished apartment
on the fifth and top floor at "a West
1Olst Street Mrs. Holmes-frst name
Minerva, it was learned after her death
bore the neighborhood name Of the
woman Of mystery"
She did not work, yet always was lib
orally supplied with money. Her
clothes were the finest. She made her
purchases on Fifth Avenue and carried
her packages home. No one save the
occupant set foot over the threshold of
her three small rooms during the year
she lived there until last night.
Agent Discovers Tragedy.
About 8 o'clock Urias Writer'S, agent
for the building, who lives on the first
floor, ventured in with his pass key.
He found Mrs. Holmes seated in rock
ing chair in the tiny kitchen. Her gold
trimmed reading spectacles were on her
nose. One hand, dropped to her side,
held a newspaper. She had not moved
since she had taken her position beside
the gas stove on Saturday last. She
did not appear to be dead-but she was.
The quarter in the gas meter had
done exactly what was expected OF 1T.
Writers called Policeman Pryor. The
patrolman summoned detectives and a
physician. The latter said Mrs. Holmes
had been dead several days, and the
former commenced asking Writers
questions of the dead woman.
Detectives Seek Clews.
The landlords agent repeated the
neighborhood gossip, coupled with his
own observations.
"She was a woman OF education and
refinement" he said, "and rather out Of
place in these little rooms"
The detectives waved the agent aside
and began an inspection of the apart
ment. But Mrs. Holmes appears to
have anticipated them. Her costly
clothes had been carefully packed in
two suitcases and two pasteboard boxes.
These were found in the dining room.
On the dining-room table were two
notes. One read:
"Unless my friends make them
selves known by Tuesday, please
phone the Salvation Army. They
nay have the clothing"
1t was unsigned. The other note
was sealed and addressed to "The
Coroner"
Monogram Note Found.
The detectives turned anew to their
search Of the apartment. They ques-
toned neighbors, who confirmed Wit
ters's story, and added details of their
own. At length one Of the searchers
brought from behind dresser "a sheet
Of initiated correspondence. II was
written in a feminine hand and read:
Dear Minerva: | have written the
postoffice three times and my letters
have been returned. Why don't you
write or communicate with us? II you
want IL kept secret where you are
shall keep il secret. IL you will come
and see me none will know you are in
my house. If you need help will send
or bring IT. know you are lonesome,
for ! am lonesome, too"
Tho note was signed "A the INITIAL
engraved on the paper. Another hour
Of search yielded nothing.
Note Left TO Coroner.
"Let's 20 in" said one detective.
"This will solve it, anyway He in
dicated the bulky letter addressed to
the coroner.
At the West Tooth Street station per-
mission WAS gained Of Coroner Fem
berg TO open the letter. II read:
"Mr. Coroner: Don't fuss. haven't
a relation in the world. Would like
% be cremated, but have only f26. Not
enough? No? Yes? Oh, well!"
The envelope contained the $2G.