The Adair County news., 1922-06-27
Rich WOMAN IN
MYSTERY DEATH
Kin Seek Fortune and Gems
of Wealthy Mrs. Ora
RidgIey.
HER COMPANION FACES QUIZ
Home Was at Assumption, ILL.,, But
She Had Lived in chicago-con-
sidered One of Wealthy Wom-
en- of Central Illinois.

Pana, ILL.,, June 14.-Private detec-
tives have been retained by relatives
of the late Mrs. Ora Belle Downs
Ridgley, formerly of this city, to in
vestigate circumstances surrounding
her death at Hot Springs, Ark, last
Tuesday.
The investigation, it was announced
here, has yielded evidence tending to
show she was murdered for money and
jewelry. Mrs. Ridgley who died penni-
less," according to reports, was at one
time reputed to be one of the wealth
lest women in central Illinois.
Search for Best Friend.
Investigation of Mrs. Ridgley's
death has been started by e. w. Hight.
banker of Assumption, on behalf of
Mrs. A. P. Pockey of Assumption, a
sister of Mrs. Ridgley. When the body
Of Mrs. Ridgley was brought to AS
sumption for burial, woman, who an
nounced she was Mrs. Ridgley's best
friend, accompanied it. In order that
| this friend may be questioned, detec-
tives have been hired to find her. 1t
is believed she is in Chicago.
Mrs. Ridgley at one time owned
much real estate and railroad stock.
Financial transactions in which she
was involved were proved illegal in
court. She gained considerable no.
toriety, and A. B. Donaldson, former
Assumption minister, who was in
.volved in the same transactions, which
included the defrauding of Mrs.
Ridgley's father of $4,000, was SEN
fenced to prison in Missouri as a re-
suit
A year ago Mrs. Ridgley was living
in Chicago. Her relatives estimate she
had then about 100000. Induced to
60 to Melbourne, Fla, she purchased
a hotel for $4,000, toward which she
paid $4,000 on October 1, last, her
relatives say. Then she moved to Hot
Springs, Ark.
The exact amount of money she still
possessed when she arrived in Hot
Springs is problematical, her relatives
declare, but it is known, they say, that
she had diamonds valued at $500, be-
side some stocks and bonds.
Chicago Detectives Employed.
Chicago, June 13.-Threats of black
mail, involving two men and a wom-
an, are said by county authorities to
have preceded the mysterious death of
Mrs. Ora Ridgley in a lonely cottage
at Hot Springs, Ark, after her fortune
of 100000 had disappeared. Investiga'
ton has been begun.
A trail Of investments by the widow,
leading from Illinois to Florida, is be.
ing followed in an effort to determine
the cause of death. This trail shows
that just prior to her journey to Hot
Springs Mrs. Ridgley purchased for q
price said to be $4,000 a 2S-room
hotel at Melbourne, Fla.
Mrs. Horn to Be Questioned.
1t is said that this hotel is now
being operated by a daughter of Mrs
Alice Horn, formerly of 1924 N. La
Sale street, companion of Mrs
Ridgley when she died.
, Authorities, it is known, plan Il
question Mrs. Horn, who operated {
. roOming house at the La Sale stree
address and who is now at the Pal
mer House. She is said to nave &C
companied Mrs. Ridgley to Hot SPRING
, from Florida several weeks ago and t.
. have rented the cottage in which deatl
occurred. Later she. appeared in AS
sumption with the body.
Notwithstanding that Mrs. Horn re
ported to the family that it was tn,
e dead woman's request that her cOf
S fin be not opened, authorities plan t,
: exhume the remains and TO examin
S the death certificate signed at HO
e Springs.