The death of Annie Williams
In 1903 Annie Williams lived at 601 Cerre Street near Broadway. She was a highly sought after model for local artists.
Below is a photo of Broadway approaching Cerre in the early 1900's, courtesy of the Missouri History museum Library in St. Louis.
In 1903 Annie posed as the Virgin Mary in one of a series of works by Frederick Lincoln Stoddard completed for the Webster Groves First Congressional Church. Jacob Smith who lived near her, became obsessed with Annie and began taunting and harassing her in hopes of winning her affections. The articles below outlines the details of the story as it unfolded between Annie and Jacob.
