Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-10-15
MRS. STILES DEATH
ENDS AFFAIR WITH
RICH CA|CAG0AN
FORMER STREATOR WOMAN IN
ElOPEMENT ESCAPADE SUI.
CiCES IN AURORA HOTEL
RAN AWAY WITH CRANE HEIR.

Twelve years ago La Sale County
society, ii will be remembered, was
rocked by the escapades of Lillian
Stiles, wife of Robert Stiles, treasurer
of the Streator Gas and Electric com.
pany, and Herbert Crane, Chicago
multi-millionaire. The affair" was
an elopement and subsequent divorce
scandal in which Mrs Stiles and Mr.
Crane were defendants after their
lawful mates had begun action against
them in the courts
Yesterday at Aurora one angle Of
the episode was automatically obli-
terated when Mrs Stiles lifeless body
was found in hotel Besides her
was discovered bottle that had been
emptied OF its poisonous drugs. A
note gave further proof that her death
was suicide. The note was to Miss
Ann Berg, a close friend, instructing
her to cremate Mrs. Stiles earthly re-
mains and throw the ashes into the
lake"
Stiles and his wife We're married
twenty-five years ago. The husband
during his residence in Streator was
prosperous and Mrs. Stiles position in
life seemed secure She attained con.
siderable note as society beauty.
Then twelve years ago she met Her
bert Crane. A short time later their
friends were surprised by the news
that the had eloped.
Mrs. Stiles at one blow lost her
home, husband and friends But she
did not care for she and Crane werss
living the life ideal on his "Wild
Rose Farm"
Mrs, Crane and Stiles promptly fleo
suits for divorce. The trials created
Z sensation, but interest died away
after they were granted DEGREES The.
years passed and announcement o.
the marriage of Crane and Mrsa
Stiles, which had been expected was.
not forthcoming. Eventually the af.
fair was almost forgotten.
Goes Back to Streator.
Then Mrs. Stiles returned quietly to
Streator There was no explanation
of her separation from Crane.
The incident was recalled last year
when, after a romantic courtship,
Crane married Sonora Eita Piza
Chamorra, daughter of wealthy
Costa Rican planter
Senorita Chamorra was a beauty
of marked Spanish type and Cranes
friends were much interested in their
romance
A few month ago Mrs. Crane an
nounced her intention to return to
her native land "for an indefinite
stay"
Meantime Mrs Stiles had become
companion to Mrs. s. r. Chittenden,
wealthy resident of Evanston. Few
of those she encountered recognized
in her the central figure of the elope-
ment of few years before.
Early in the summer Mrs. Stiles
went to Miss Bergs cottage near ST.
Charles. Miss Berg, who was gov.
erness in the family of f. n Hurley
had known Mrs Stiles for many
years,
Was Despondent Thursday.
Thursday Mrs. Stiles appeared un
usually respondent She left the cot
tage and went to Aurora, where she
registered at the Hotel Aurora.
None Of the hotel employees saw
Mrs Stiles after she went to hel
room. Yesterday they received M
answer when they knocked at he1
door The room was opened and Mrs
Stiles was found dead with an empt,
poison bottle beside her
On the table there was not,
addressed to Miss Berg.
Dear Anna. she had written, twill
you have my body cremated and tn,
ashes thrown on the lake,"
I LILLIAN"