Murder of a Remarkable Miser.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 476, 31 May 1890, Page 3

Murder of a Remarkable Miser.

Ample material for a sensational novel is supplied, telegraphs a Vienna correspon dent, in the last police reports from Stockerau, a small town on the left bank of the Danube. About a week ago an old woman of seventy, Theresa Schiller, was murdered by two visitors, who succeeded in escaping. She wa3 known to be an old miser, who lived in rags, with two cits and dogs, in a little suburban house which stands quite desolate near the railway station. The police made an inventory of her possessions. After some search it was found that the old woman must have been in relations with all the thieves of the Empire. Property which had been missing several years was found on her premises. The clue was given by the discovery of a valuable walch and chain, to which a strip of paper was fastened with the words, ‘ Bought this of S. for six florins.’ The watch bore the. name of a well-known citizen of Sbockerau, out of whose room it had been, stolen ten years ago. The old woman’s clothes were mere rags, and the police at first felt reluctant bo touch them, but when a splendid golden pyx, set with precious stones, fell out of a tattered gown, their interest was roused, and every corner was searched. In the cellar large pieces of gold—no doubt melted ornaments—were found. In the loft there were boxes with trinkets and jewels, many of which the police recognised as forming part of the Granichstiedten property, the theft of which on the Graben caused so much commotion five years ago. In the mouldering furniture valuables of every description were found, such as chalices, pyxes, golden candlesticks, beautiful lace and linen. In a corner of a cupboard lay a bag containing twenty thousand florins in gold, and shares and bonds worth upwards of 40,000 florins. Silver spoons and forks were discovered in all the kitchen drawers. In a little box five black diamonds were found, which are said to be of enormous value. Only one part of the floor has been pulled up, but large quantities of linen and valuable dress materials were hidden there. At present the garden is being searched, as it is supposed she may have buried things there. The whole property found is believed to be worth more than ha'f a million, of florins, and yet the old woman scarcely ever allowed herself a decent meal, and had not a piece of respectable clothing on her when she was found dead. The fuel she used consisted of little bibs of coal collected by poor children at the railway station and sold to her for a few coppers.