The Demon Bathtub Of Cincinnati: Coincidence? Or Lure Of A White Mahatma?

“Is there a mystic and fatal influence which has its dwelling in the tile-floored, modern bathroom at Fourth & Sycamore streets?”That was the question posed by the Cincinnati Enquirer [8 November 1898] when the nude body of a woman was discovered at the Alta Flats. The city gasped as details emerged about the unfortunate casualty, drowned in the bathtub of an apartment in which she did not reside.The Alta Building, constructed in 1883, was a respectable residence on the southwest corner of Sycamore and Fourth Streets downtown. With several stores at ground level, and five floors of apartments above, the building boasted all the modern conveniences including steam heat, indoor water closets and an elevator.It was not an address at which dead, nude women were expected to be found in the bathtub. And yet, that is what the coroner discovered very early on the morning of Sunday, 6 Nov 1898. The deceased was identified as Edith Garfield, aged 23 or 24, whose home address was 132 West…