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I" MYSTERY 0r GOTHIM I
A‘Diamond Flossie” Found 'Strangled
In Her Apartments.
ALL OF HER JEWELS STOLEN.
A‘ Case Which Is Puzzling the Shrewd
Sleuths of New Yorke—The Reputed
Husband of the Woman Held by
Bequest of the Detectives.
New York, April 23.—Flossie Murphy,
better known as “Diamond Flossie,"
but Whose right name was Flossie Reil-
ly, was found strangled in her room
early today. A rope was around her
neck, the other end Of which was tied
to the bedpost. The place was looted
of all its valuables, including about $1,-
500 worth of diamonds, which made the
young woman famous all over the Ten-
derloin precinct. There is every indica-
tion that the woman was murdered.
The police of the West Twentieth
street station are working on this the-
ory. The reputed husband of the wom-
an, Alexander Frederick Murphy, is un-
der arrest on suspicion of! knowing how
the woman came to her death.
The couple occupied prettily furnish-
ed apartments on the top floor of. the
apartment ‘house at 228 West Twenty-
fourth street. Both were slaves cf the
opium habit. The front room was used
as a parlor and next to it came a sit-
ting room and then two bedrooms. Last
came the kitchen. The middle room
of the five was used as a sleeping room
by the couple, and it was in this room
that the woman was found dead by her
husband. She had evidently been smok-
ing opium, for the layout was on the
bed near where she was found.
The husband is employed in a saloon.
He said that yesterday evening he left
his wife lying in bed smoking opium.
It was his custom to cook the opium for
her. He then started for his place of
business. _
Murphy said that it was the custom
of his wife to leave the light in her
room burning until he returned home in
the morning‘and that the lower one of
two locks on the sleeping room door
was left unlocked. The, upper one was
always looked.
When he went home this morning, he
noticed, that the light in the room was
not there, as was the custom. He let
himself into the room and was horrified
to see his wife lying partly on the floor
on her left side and partly suspended
from the bedpost by a rope, which had
been tied around her neck. She was
black in the face and dead.
The Diamonds Gone.
The husband, without waiting to see
any more, rushed from the house and
summoned two policemen. Captain
Walsh of the West Twentieth Street
station was immediately notified, and
all of the available detectives were soon
at the house making investigation.
It was then discovered that the apart-
ments had been ransacked and that all
of the diamonds the young woman had
were missing. They consisted of vari-
ous articles—rings, breastpins, brace-
lets and the like. Bureau drawers had
been ransacked and articles in them
strewn about the floor. Murphy said
that the woman had friends living on
West Thirty-first street, and he asked
permission to go to them and tell them
of the young woman’s death. He left
the house and returned again, and it
was not until he returned that the po-
lice placed him‘ under arrest.
The coroner’s ofi‘lce was immediately
notified of the woman’s death, and Cor-
oner Tuthill said death was undoubted-
ly due to strangulation, on account of
the uniform congestion of the face. He
said that after an autopsy' had been
held he would probably be able to tell
whether or not the woman was mur-
dered or had committed suicide.
It was said subsequently that the wo—
man had been seen at the Newmarket,
Thirtieth street and Sixth avenue, at
midnight and that at that time there
was a man with her. After this noth-
.ing was learned as to the woman‘s
movements.
The dead. woman was a pronounced
blond. She came from Albany, this
state, where her father is engaged at
work in the yards of the New York
Central railroad. She also has a broth-
er-in—law who keeps a barber shop on
Clinton avenue, that city. It was also
said by the prisoner that he has heard
her speak of a brother who is now in
Dannemora prison.
Known as “Diamond Flossie.”
She came to this city about six years
ago and sprang into prominence among
the denizens of the Tenderloin on ac-
count of good looks and the numerous
diamonds she wore. It was on account
of the latter that she was given the
name of “Diamond Flossie.” Several
months ago the murdered woman was
robbed of $1,100. worth of jewelry and
caused the arrest of her colored maid,
Sarah Scott, on suspicion of being the
thief. .
Subsequently Albert Wetmore, a man
well known in the Tenderloin, gave
himself up and admitted that he was
the thief. He said that he picked the
jewels up in the hallway outside of
Mrs. Murphy’s apartments when leav-
ing the house after paying her a. visit.
Wetmore was tried for the crime and "
the. woman was released.
Detectives Devine and Perkins ar-
raigned Murphy in Jefferson Market
court today and asked that he be re—
manded until they‘- had a chance to In-
vestigate the suspicious circumstances
surrounding his connection with the
death of his wife.
The detectives say that the knot tied
about the woman’s throat was What
is known as a “half hitch,” and only
two crafts employ that knot——-one, sail-
ors and persons connected with mari-
time industries, and the other circus
men. ‘Murphy is a. steved'ore by trade,
the detectives say, and he ought to
know how to tie that knot. It is im—
probable that a woman should tie the
knot, and it is impossible that death
should have been caused by suicide. Dr.
Tracy’s statement that the woman
could not have been dead more than 15
minutes before the discovery of the
body by the husband is another cir-
cumstance which the detectives regard
as suspicious.
. Little Girl Accidentally Hanged.
Des Moises, April 23.—The 5—year-old
daughter of Jo} I F. Buckley\\vas ac-
cidentally inn... by her bonnet strings
catching c2. :. Alli-1b of a dwarf cherry
tree near V. L111; she was playing. ,
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SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST.
, [Adapted from N ast’s cartoon in “Robinson Crusoe’s Money. ”]
EVOLUTION OF MONEY.
Unwarranted ' Government Interference
Prevents Easy Transition From One Sub-
stance to Another.
Money is simply a commodity that is
generally recognized as a universal
equivalent, and its degree of goodness
or efficiency consists in the unanimity of
the recognition of the fitness of the com-
modity used as money to perform the
essential functions of money. Many
commodities have been used as money,
and they have remained in use as long
as they met the essential requirements
of money among the people where used,
or until some other ccmmodityappear-
ed the fitness of which commended it-
self to the intelligence as being superior
to the commodity then being used.
As people have advanced in discrim-
inating intelligence they have discard-
ed inferior commodities and adopted in
place thereof something that was supe-
rior. These changes kept taking place
until finally gold and silver became the
commodities that were recognized by
the people of most countries as being
the best for use as ,money. Sociological
transition is constant. Change is the
natural order of things, and changes
come about naturally and are therefore
effected easily, if the natural process is
allowed to go on undisturbed. Trou-
blous friction ensues only when there is
obstructive governmental interference
to delay or defeat the natural order of
things.
In our own day the stagecoach has
been supplanted by the steam railroad,
and stagecoaches have practically be-
come a. thing of the past. The tallow
dip was succeeded by lamps filled with
‘burning fluid or oil, and lamps by illu-
minating gas, and gas by electricity.
These and many other changes were ac-
complished with no serious disturbance
whatever, and so it; would be with com-
modities used as money in the absence
of governmental obstruction. There
would be no threatening money ques-
tion in this country today, endangering
the continuity and perpetuity of all
business activity, if the United States
was not engaged in the banking busi-
ness.
Among civilized people the days of
usefulness of silver as money, except in
subsidiary forms, are numbered, and
silver is going out of use as surely as
have the stagecoach and the tallow dip,
and for exactly the same reason—civi-
lization has outgrown the conditions
which necessitated its use. No money
has ever come into use at; the behest of
government or because of statutory en-
actments, but solely because of’recog-
nized ability to perform the functions
of money. —Austin W. Wright in Sound
Currency.
A New Financial System.
The demand now heard from mer-
chants and manufacturers and bankers
and other intelligent observers in every
part of the country is not for some re-
pairs to our financial system, but for a
new system. N 0 government paper can
be free from objection, because its vol-
ume and redeemability will depend‘in
part; upon the opinions of congress and
in part; upon the opinions of the pres-
ident. N 0 one can be certain that these
will be correct in all years'to come. If
we could be sure that they would al-
ways be correct, we could not be sure
that the government would always be
able to maintain a sufficient reserve
for the redemption of the notes. If the
weight of a pound and the length of a
yard were liable to be changed at any
time by congress, the uncertainty could
hardly be so dangerous as the present
uncertainty regarding the unit of value.
This explains why so many of the men
,who do the business of the country, not
alone in the north and east, but also in
the south and west, demand the with-
‘drawal of the government notes.
Time
Cost
MB
.3115
WASHING Pound:
(lo-operative Banking For Farmers.
The American Agriculturist of April
4 again discusses editorially the “entire
feasibility of co-operative banking
among farmers. ” “This can be done, ”
it says, “by slight modifications of the
system of co-operative savings fund and
building associations or co-operative
banks, which has proved so remarkably
successful in American cities. These in-
stitutions now hold over $500,000,000
of deposits and are a thoroughly demon-
strated practical success. The Saxon
Land Credit association (3 report upon
which can be obtained by writing to
the secretary of state, Washington) is a.
modification of the Raifleisen system,
which in Prussia and Germany has
achieved the same success among the
working farmers of those countries that
the co-operative banks have achieved in
our American cities. The people’s banks
of Italy and neighboring countries, based
upon much the same plan, have had
marvelous success. A report giving fur-
ther particulars upon the Saxon Land
Credit; association has been published
by the department. of state for free dis-
tribution, in which Consular Agent Pe-
ters says with a truth that can never be
questioned:
What American farmers require to relieve
them of the present financial strain under
which they are living is the power to borrow
at the lowest possible interest consistent with
their securities and the financial conditions in
the great centers of the world. So long as they
mun. IJUI‘I‘OW from the local money lender they
mum ray 3. high rate of interest for accommo-
datnv I. It- is this high rate of interest under
Whl'. in our farmers are now striving and fall-
ing a ‘vt. is responsible for the general unrest
and l '- axatisfaction. Remove the high rate of
interest, give them the same opportunity to
use their credit as men engaged in other busi-
ness, exchange the present. mortgage on the
farm for one with a reasonable interest, which
the farmer can pay and have something left
for the savings bank. and we will restore hapn
piness and prosperity.
This question has been solved by the farmers
and landholders of Europe, and the seation
of the problem did not consist in the issue by
the government of a mass of debased currency
circulated among the people at a fictitious
value. The end was reached by the farmers
and landholders by their own force and co
operation, by the founding of associations
which in time became a power in the land, and
whose financial strength was measured by mil-
lions of undoubted securities which the public
was only too glad to invest- in.
.4...
Is This Result. Desirable?
Should this country alone attempt
free coinage of silver at the ratio of 16
to 1, it wOultl thereby give notice that.
we are ready to exchange for all comers
a quantity of gold which is valued at $1
in every civilized country for a quanti-
ty of silver which represents in the
markets of the world about; 50 cents.
In a. very short time all 'gold would
disappear. It would be boarded to await
a premium or shipped to countries
where it; is more appreciated. Only sil-
ver would remain our circulating medi-
um. Ve would be on asilver basis. Our
standard would be a dollar worth little
more than 50 cents in every country but
our own. .
All values would quickly adjust them-
selves to this depreciated dollar and
would fluctuate with its changing value
in international exchange. .’
Government Currency.
The reason bank circulation has been
decreasing through a term of years, and
why it’ is inelastic, remaining almost
without change from season to season,
is that the security for it is a deposit of
government bonds. The bank capital is
in the treasury instead of in business.
The profits on circulation decline as the
bonds increase in value or the rate of
interest declines, and the redemption
process is slow and zinefiective. The
dangers of the government. currency
and the deficiencies of the bank curren-
cy are now pretty well recognized, and
every day shows increased earnestness
in'the demands of business men for a
:srszsises and permanent ours.« “—v
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*‘ 11ml [IBIS
What More Can be Asked ?
Only this :flask your grocer for it, and insist on trying it. Largest package-greatest economy.
THE N. K. FAIRBANK COMPANY.
Chicago, St. Louis,
New York,
Boston. ‘ Philadelphia.
» Received for Premiums - - ‘ ' .
THE MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE [10.
OF NEW Y'OELIK.é
‘ RICHARD A. MCGURDY, President.
Statement for-the Year Ending December 3Ist, I89.
According to the Standard of the Insurance Department of the State of New York.
INCOME,
D
S 39,93,4I4 20
From all Other Sources v - . - - - _ I0,I09,28| 01
“ ’ 349.102.6952?
DISBURSEMENTS, ~
To Policy-holders 'for claims by Deth - - _
S l2,595,l|3 39
To Policy-holders for Endowments, Dividends, clc. - - - I2,842,456 5|
For all Dlher Accounis - - ' - - . - ID,18I,005 64
ASSETS. S36,2l8,515 I4
niied Slates Bonds and other Securities - - - - S | | o,|25,032 I5
First "on Loans on Bond and Mortgage - - - 'II,543,929 o
' * - II,D9I,525 00
22,161,666 65
Dash in Banks and Trust companies - l2,680.390 DD
Accrued Interest, llei Dcfcrrccl Premiums, eic- - - - ' 6,535,555 06
- sum—IKE
Reserve for Policies and other Liabililics - - , - - - 205,0I0,633 12
Surplus - "S HHS—13,5“ 10
Insurance and Annuities in force - . .
Loans on Stocks and Bonds -
Ilcal Eslaic
*—
—___———-—
s 9I8.698.338 45
I have carefully examined the foregoing Statement and find the same to be correct
liabilities calculated by the Insurance Department CHARLES A. PRELLER, Auditor.
Frrm the Surplus a dividend will be apportioned as usual \
Report of the Examining Committee.
Office of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York '
To THE HONORABLE, Tun BOARD OF TRUSTnns or
. THE LIIITIIAL LIFE IIISIIIIAIIDE DDMPAIIY DF IIEW YDIIK
The undersigned, a Committee apppointed by your honorable body on the twenty-
third day of December, I896, to examine the Annual Statement of the Company, and to
REPORT
That, pursuant to the power and authority thereby conferred, the Committee have at various dates between the date of the
said reference and the date of this Report attended at the cfiice of the Company,_ and have been waited on by the Treasurer
the Comptroller, the Auditor and and the Cashier, together With the the respective assisiams or such ofliCers, and have care:
fully gone over all the items contained 111 the said Statement, and have found the same to be correct. They have examined
and counted every certificate of stock, bond and other obligation held by the Company, and compared the price at which the
same are carried in said Statement with the market quotations and find the same not exceeding such quotations—in fact in
many cases bel w them. They have examined and counted the bonds and mortgages on real property held by the Compalny
and find the same to be as stated. They have also verified the valuations of the Company’s holdings of real estate and havé
verified the deposits of money in the various banks and trust companies, and have counted the cash on hand held by the
hier. , _
Cars And the Committee certify that all the books, papers. documents and evidences of title of every description necessary in
such examination have been freely submitted to the Committee by the said officers and their assistants, and that the same are
accurate, in good order and well kept. _ . _ ,
And the Committee further certify that the Investments of the Company are of a high order, and that the System and
methods adopted by the Company in recording Its transactions and caring for the assets are entitled to commendation
All f hich is res ectfully submitted ROBER P OLYPHANT J- HOBART BERRTC
0 W . P - JAMES N. JARVIE CHARLES D. DICKEIE'. JR.“
JAMES C. HOLDEN CHARLES R. HENDERSON
verify the same, .espectfully
NEW YORK. J ARUARI 25, 1897.
. The company has issued an order whereby women can be insured Without the extra
charge heretOfore required. More definite information on the subject will be furnished by
the local agent, Mr. A H. Camp.
‘ Board of Trustees
GEORGE G. HAvRN
ADRIAN Isan JR.
GEORGE S. BOWDOI-N
Taro. A. HAYRHEYEB
WILLIAM C. WHITNEY
\V ILLIAM ROCKEFELLER
J Ams N. J'ARvID
CHAS D. DICKEY JR.
ELBRIDGE T. GERRY
HENRY H. ROGERS
Jno. W AUCHIRCLoss
'J‘HRODORE MORFORD
VI ILLIAM BABCOCK
STUYYESANT FISH
AUGUSTUS D. J UILLIABD'
CHARLES E. MILLER
WALTER it GILLETTE
H. WALTER WEBB
F REDEBIC CROMWILL
J ULIEN T. 'DAYIES
.. ROBERT SEWELL
S, V. R. CRUGRR
CHARLL‘s R. HENDERSON
Burns W. Pncanu
J. HOBART HERRICK
Wu P DIXON
ROBERT A. GRANNISS
ROBERT A GRANNIss' Vice-President. ,_
IVAL'IER R. GILLETTE, General Manager. >
ISAAC F. LLOYD, 2d Vice-President. HENRY E. DUNCAN,IJR. Corresponding Secretary
WILLIAM J. EASTON, Secretary. ~ALBERT KLAMROTH, Assrstaht Secretary.
FBEDERIC CROMWELL, Treasurer.
JOHN A. FONDA, Assistant Treasurer JAMES TIMPSON. 2d Assistant Treasurer.
WILLIAM P, SANDS, Cashier. ‘ EDWARD P. HOLDEN, Assistant Cashier.
EMORY M COLINTOCK, A ctuarv.
‘ JOHN TATLOCK, J n , Assistant Actuary.
CHARLES A, PRELLER, Auditor. WILLIAM W. RICHARDS, Comptroller. "
. C. CLIFFORD GRETSINGER, Aesistant Auditor. HENRY S. BROWN, Assistant Comptroller.
JOHN C. ELLIOT, Superintendent of Domestic Agencies.
EDWARD LYMAN SHORT, General Solicitor.
MEDICAL DIRECTORS: '
ELIAS J. MARSH, M. D' GRANVILLE MHWHITE, M D
SAMUEL D, BABCOCK
RICHARD A. McCURDI
JAMES C. HOLDEN
HERMANN 0-10}: POST ‘
LEWIS MAY
OLIVER BARRIHAN
ROBERT OLYPHANT
GEORGE . BAKER
DUDLEY OLCOTT
GUSTAVUS S. WINSTON, M. D.
General Agcnl lor
JOHN WI NIGHOLS I" Haven, Stale cl conncclicull
“A: H. @AMEo .Local‘Agc'ntY
'Y.
‘ _ . . . . g ‘ . . .’, ,.
Norwalk Chronicler