New Britain herald., 1920-08-13
STRANGE WOMAN IS
 MISSING FROM HOME
Last Seen by Landlord, Sunday, When Seeking Rent
WEEDS DECORATE HOUSE

Namc-wns said to Bc Crank on ReIiston--Tcncmcnt Was Fire Trap and Discovery Was Timely ono.
 Discovery of the disappearance of q strange old woman who lived nt 70 North street. back of Engine Com pany No. '. was made this morning by Frank !. HalIoran. owner of tho house nt that address. The woman has not been seen since last Sunday. When an entrance was effected into the place by MT. Hailoran. together with some electricians at work there. one of tho stranEest sisbts over wit messed by the men greeted them. That the woman. who is between ss ana " years old, and whose identity mas not been ascertained is suffering rom religious mania was plainly evident.
 Household Decorations.
 Tn the rather small ki,chs, ,,.r. was erected n reproduction Of the Ntable at Bethlehem composed of Wild weeds. flowers of various kinas and roots. Tho construction of the stranse effect must have required considerable time and the quantity of woods. etc. used would indicate that the woman has been. occupied for snany months bringing the stun ,o Her hutnnlo abode. Everything of a vhKiouA character IM about the crtb picture of Pope Benedict having 'bc"n placed at the top Of tho arranxe- ment. There also were found two small drcsses such as infants wear. Acroas the front of the Arrangement The woman Horawled upon a sign: Don't toch. don't toch. don't toeh |. There also was a warning. evidently cut from an advertising medium. i, ocimt the word "Donf' in large lcttera.
 Candles Burning.
 In front Of the arrangement thsre . was round this morning the remains ott two candles that had burned in Sront Of tho crib. Tho woman also had an electric light huIh su.pended From the ceiling. although there is no wiring In the place. On the door at the entrance to the place there wa. drawn in q ervde manner a cr,roinx. Near the replica Of the crtb was an- othcr small and similar arrangement.
 Has Not Paid Rent.
 Mr. Hniloran said today that he last ~n~ the strange woman last Sunday. when he spoke to hcr outside of her ooor relative to the payment of her rent The woman had not met her rental requirement. for severnI months She had lived in the place Tor three years. and up to few months ago she had always paid the required t4 month.
 Always Bsrricadcd.
 When in the place the missing woman always kept it harricaded and tho windows of the abode wero GOV Fered with weeds and paper to ob- struct the view from the outside. Tho disappearance Of the woman was not noted by MT. Halioran or members Of his household until this morning Electricians at work in the house , found tt necessary to enter the cellar of tho place and when MT. Halloran accompanying them, looked into tho apartment of the woman. the strange sight greeted him. He at once noti- nod Captain Michael W. Butler. of Engine Company No. 2. who. in turn. sent word to |hlof William J. Noble. The police were mnde acquainted with conditions by Chief Noble. and Chief William I. Rawlings and Ser Eennt A. J. Richardson went to the place.
 Name a Mystery.
 Examination of the effects of the woman showed nothing that would indicate who she is or anything about her. Articles of various kinds are Htrewn about the place and there were z found several empty cans that once contained gingersnaps. Tn tho oven of n stove that gave no evidence of having beon used In some time were found two kettles nllcd with weeds such as tho woman used in her make ID Of the strange designs.
 Danger of Fire. 2 That n catastrophe did not occur before now ls wonder. The weeds arc all very dry and would easily have kxnited The candles were very closo to the crib and it Is surprising that nre did not occur.
 Worked a~ Dl-hwa sh,r.
 Tho woman frequently was seen in the various churches of tho city. The only Information procurable today was that she worked at times in Main