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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 4, 1908)
THE MORNING OREGOXIAX, FRIDAY, . SEPTEMBER 4. 190S. DISMEMBERS WIFL PACKS IN T BUNK Horrible Confession of Actor When Confronted With Own Work. BURNS PART OF REMAINS Chester Jordan Kills Wire In Sud den Quarrel and Hacks Body to Pieces Shudders at Opening of Trunk. BOSTON. Sept. brutal crime was disclose tonight by the discovery of the torso of Mrs. Honorah Jordan, an act ress, aged 23 years, of Somervllle, In a trunk in a boarding-house at 7 Hancock street, on Beacon Hill, this city. Later the head and the bones of the limbs were found In the furnace of the Jordan home, at Somervill. and the scalp, hair and other remains were taken from the kitchen range of the house. Chester Jordan, aged 29 years, an actor, of Somervllle. is held by the police, charged with the murder, and tonight, ac cording to the officers, he made a com plete confession of the crime. Jordan Is a brother of Mrs. Jessie L. Livermore. wife of the well-known stock and cotton speculator, of New lork. His parents. Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Jordan and a sister Mrs. Kendall, prominent in Somervllle society, live in the latter city. Mrs. Chester Jordan was known on the dtage aa Irene Shanon. Hacked ip Body. Packed in Trunk. According to Jordan's confession he accidentally killed his wife Tuesday night In a quarrel at their home. and. becoming desperate over what he had done, he went out and Dougni a with this knife, a razor and shears, he cut up the body and placed the torso In a trunk. He then planned to take the steamer Harvard last night for New York and throw the parts of the body over board. The fact that the Harvard was laid off. owing to an accident, disar ranged his plans, and he was obliged to hire a hackman to take the trunk to a Boston boarding-house to await a more favorable opportunity. The discovery of the crime was due to the eusplciona of the hackman. George W. Collins, who had in mind the numerous robberies which have taken place about Boston recently, and surmls ii.g from Its weight that the trunk con tained silverware, notified the police. Col lins reported that he had taken the trunk from the North station this morning, it havlr.g come In from Somerville on a local train. The hackman stated he left Jordan and the trunk this afternoon at No. 7 Hancock street. Sergeant Michael Crowley was detailed to go to the houe and Investigate. Jordan was not in, but tne officer was shown the back room on the. second floor which Jordan had en" gs.ired and found the trunk. About 6:20 Jordan returned and was commanded to open the trunk. Collapses at. Horrible Sight. Jordan did not appear nervous or alarmed, but hesitated to open the trunk, and it was not until after considerable argument that he produced the- key to the trunk and Inserted It in the lock. Turning his head. Jordan threw up the cover of the trunk and then sank back on his knees, burying his face In his hands and sobbing. Sergeant Crorwley stag gered back aghast at the disclosure, for In the trunk before him lay a sickening mass of hacked flesh, a woman's torso tilling the greater part of the trunk, while pieces of flesh from other parts of the body were stuffed into the corners. The entire interior of the trunk was be spattered with blood. There was no cov ering of any sort over the remains. Jordan submitted to arrest without protest and was taken to station No. 3 and locked up. Giving his name and address he declared the body In the trunk was that of his wife, and said 'he was perfectly willing to tell every thing concerning the case. Laid Plans aCrefully. For more than four hours Jordan was closeted wlUi the police officials, and time after time went over the horrible details. 'While he professed that he was dazed when the crime was committed, yet by the clearness and conciseness of his tale It seemed ap parent that, whatever preceded the ac tual killing, the most perfect plans were laid for the disposal of the body and the covering up of the crime. Jordan's story of the murder was substantially as follows: He stated that he was married In September, 1904, to Mrs. Honorah Eddy, whose maiden name was O'Reilly, and whose home was in Somervllle. He did not know who Ills wife's first hus band was or what had become of him. The couple went on the vaudeville stage. Mr. Jordan taking the part of a tramp and his wife that of a nurse In a sketch- They went first to Butte, four years ago, but only remained there three or four weeks. Later they went to Chicago and appeared In some of the small theaters, remaining three months. About three years ago they returned to Somervllle and took a flat In the house at 509 Medford street. Describes Own Horrible Work. Mrs. Jordan, according to her hus band, had taken to drinking of late and. he says, was associating with other men and he became jealous. It was in a jealous quarrel that the trou ble started which ended in the death of the wife. Jordan declares that his wife struck him first: that he then knocked hts wife down stairs, and was horrified to find that he had killed her. This hap pened at 7:30 o'clock Tuesday night. Fearing discovery, he conceived the Idea of cutting the body up. taking it away on one of the steamers and throwing the parts overboard and then reporting to the police that his wife had left him. Jordan came to Bvston and endeavored to secure passace for New York on the Harvard, but learned that the steamer was not running that day. The body remained at the North station over night. Early today Jordan engaged Collins to take the trunk to the South station, where Jordan Intended to board a New Tork train. He changed his mind, how ever, and. purchasing a ticket on the Cunard steamer Ivernla. which was to sail tomorrow for Liverpool, again called the same hackman and had him take the trunk to the Hancock-street house. Prepared to Sink Body. Jordan then went off and bought a roll rf wire and eight window weights, which he described as "sinkers." and several sheets of heavy wrapping paper. With these he stated he intended to wrap up the parts of the body of his wife, weight them with the window irons and throw them into the Charles River. The weights, paper and wire were found in the room with the trunk. Jordan declared to the police that after that she was dead he placed the body in the kitchen and went to bed and to sleep. When he awoke in the morning he cooked his own breakfast In the kitchen, eating It In the presence of the body of his wife. In the afternoon. Jordan said, he dis memberd the body. MAKES APPEAL TO FARMERS Hisgen Promises Relief; From Trusts to AH Classes. LEBANON. Ind., Sept. 3. Thomas L. Hisgen, Independence party candidate for President, spoke here today to a large crowd. Mr. Hisgen said there are three groups of citizens who are especially Interested In the coming election business men. laboring men and farmers. Business men. he said want equal opportunity and freedom from oppressive trusts. Mr. Hisgen expressed himself as standing for an expert and honest administration of the Government. The laboring man. he said, desired more work and better pay. He has been one of the factors In making the wealth of the country and should get his fair share of It. Mr. Hisgen addressed the greater portion of his speech to the farmers, who made up almost his entire au dience. He insisted that the farmer wished a market for his produce which shall not be at the mercy of the combination which makes a low price to the producer and a high price to the consumer. "The two old par ties" said Mr. Hisgen, "having failed to bring this relief to the business men, the laboring men and the farm ers, the Independence party makes its appeal for support and gives Its solemn promise to bring about these conditions. PADLOCKS CAUSE STRIKE Trouble on Breakwater Delays Steamer Several Hours. ASTORIA. Or., Sept. 8. (Special.) The steamer Breakwater, of the Portland-Coos Bay line, was delayed here several hours today on account of a strike by the crew of her nreroom. The trouble started as the steamer was coming down the river last night, when Captain Macgenn found one of the firemen in the galley making cof fee and frying a steak. He took the man severely to task and the latter replied Just as forcibly. The result was that Captain Macgenn had pad locks placed on tile galley doors to keep the firemen out. As it had been the rule on board for the firemen to have a hot meal after each watch, they resented the captain's action and upon the arrival of the steamer here all walked ashore. The officers of the vessel secured the services of several nonunion firemen to take the places of the strikers, but as soon as they went on board, all the union sailors, cooks and waiters picked up their personal effects and went ashore. The local manager of the steamer then took the matter in hand and It was finally settled by all the union men returning, after the nonunion firemen had been discharged and the objec tionable locks had been removed from the galley door. GIANT TREES SCORCHED Fire That Threatened Calaveras Grove Now Under Control. STOCKTON. Cal., Sept. 3. Information from Mr. Whitesides, owner of the Cala veras grove of big trees at Big Trees to day, is to the effect that the fire which has been raging close to the grove for the past three days, is now under control, though still burning to the north of the grove on the ridge toward Gardner's. No further alarm Is felt at the grove and un less something unforeseen should occur all danger as far as the big trees are con cerned is past. The latest reports are that the wind has abated. Last night the fire fighters got the better of the flames and they are now under control. Men are still work ing in Isolated portions of the grove, extinguishing the last sparks, so that the flames may not break out afresh. The Are Ud considerable damage to the ! bie trees, but It is thought many of them will continue to live, especially if there is a rain soon. The reports sent out regarding the fire differ greatly owing to the desire of the resort keepers not to injure their business. AVOIDS TELLING BY TAKING LIFE Donahue Fears to Reveal He lations With Murdered Woman. BERRY IS SUSPECTED Oakland Mystery Given Sensational Sew Turn by Suicide Inquest Interrupted by Discovery ol Donahue's Dead Body. OAKLAND. Cal.. Sept. 3.-Daniel Don ahue, husband of Mrs. Alice Donahue who was murdered and buried in Emery ville, a suburb of Oakland and whose body was found last Sunday, shot and killed himself in his home some time this morning. His body was found this af ternoon by Deputy Coroner Sergeant and Deputy Public Administrator Flood, who had gone to search for him. Gustave Ahlstedt has been in jail since Sunday on suspicion of having had a hand in Mrs. Donahue's murder. Donahue was to have .been forced to give proof this afternoon of his mar riage to the murdered woman. He had already made application for the $9000 cash in bank and the life Insurance of J3700 left by Mrs. Donahue. He was under subpena to appear as a witness at the inquest which met this afternoon. Police Find Donahue Dead. Coroner TIsdale waited half an hour and then ordered his deputy to go after Donahue. The deputy public adminis trator also went along. The officers called at the Donahue home In Emery ville and knocked repeatedly on the door. Receiving no answer, they forced an entrance and found Donahue's dead body. His hand still grasped the re volver with which he had ended his life. Donahue had killed himself before His body had on only a On a table was found this dressing, nightshirt. note: Oakland, Cal.. Sept. 3, 1008. 1 am Innocent of this crime. If you find Jos. Berry, you got the man that had or done the deed." The note was not signed. 'Sow Suspect Berry. Joseph Berry is the man with whom Mrs. Donahue is reported to have lived before she took up with Donahue. The police are now bending every effort to locate him. A card found in the Donahue house gives his address at one time as 768 Mission street. San Francisco. The suicide of Donahue caused the con tinuance of the Inquest until next Tues day. It leaves the murder farther than tV?r from solution. That Donahue was not married to the dead woman Is the belief of the authorities. The note left by him, however. Is not fully believed, for both Captain of Detectives Petersen and Sheriff Barnet feel that Donahue was concerned In the murder and that he shot himself when he knew that he must explnin under oath his relations with Mrs. Donahue and his haste in making application for her money and life in surance. Long Contemplated Suicide. Donahue was last seen alive about 8 o'clock this morning. He was then In his home, but was undressed. He did not know until after that hour that the po lice suspected him" of knowing more than he had told. . That he shot himself as soon as he became aware that he was under the eyes of the police seems cer tain. Neighbors of the Donahues state that as long as a month. ago Donahue contem plated suicide. He stated then that he was worried over his wife's disappearance and thought he would end his life. . Mrs. Donahue was last seen alive on the evening of June 11. On that evening she dined with her supposed husband. The chemist's report shows that the woman was killed within two hours after dinner. The note left by Donahue will change the attitude of the police toward Gustave Ahlstedt, alias Arkell, who has been held on suspicion. It Vdid not mention Arkell. The theories most generally accepted tonight after hours of investigation Is that Donahue murdered his wife or that she was killed by Joseph Berry with Donahue as an accomplice. Gustave Arkell, the only man taken Into custody In connection with the crime, will be held until tomorrow, and perhaps longer. Search Is being made for Berry, but up to a late hour he had not been captured. HOUR OF DEATH ESTABLISHED Chemist Testifies, but Coroner Ad journs Inquest at Xcws of Suicide. OAKLAND. Sept. 3. At the coroner's inquest into the death of Mrs. Donahue this afternoon. Chemist Bensinger test ified that, according to his examination of her stomach, her death occurred two hours after dinner. She ate her last dinner at 7 o'clock, according to Donahue, and this places the hour of her death at about 9 o'clock. When word reached the coroner's of fice that Donahue had committed sui cide, the inquest was postponed until September 8. Search of the Donahue home this af ternoon disclosed letters revealing the fact that Mrs. Donahue was Miss Alice Stewart, of Birmingham. Pa. HE NEVER FORGAVE Lord Sackville West, Who Hat ed America, Is Dead. PEOPLE CRY FOR BREAD GLASGOW UNEMPLOYED STORM CITY COO'CIL. - ' Repulsed by Police, They Threaten Bread Riots if Starving Poor Are Not Relieved. GLASGOW. Sept. 3. A number of un employed of Glasgow today made an un successful attempt to get a hearing be fore the Municipal Council. Four hun dred men attempted to break down the doors of the room where the Council was In session. Police reserves were called out and restored order. The tact of the members of the Coun cil who agreed to receive a deputation of the unemployed and the prudence of the police In not attempting to make arrests resulted in the quiet dispersal of the malcontents of the town. A strongly worded manifesto, which has been posted on the streets In the poorer quarters, however, declares that 60.000 adults and 100.000 children are cnying for bread in the city of plenty and threatens a recur rence of the bread riots unless the au thorities adopt palliative measures. Rev. Francis Tirfany. CAMBRIDGE. Mass.. Sept 3. Rev. Francis Tiffany, author, preacher and traveler, died at his home here today. He was born in Maryland in 1827. GRAND ARMY MEN ELECT (Continued From First Page.) knocking his wife down stairs and finding Jja lh Bronx, on. bo lb. aide of th city. other officers were delivering their annual reports today, thousands of their com rades and other visitors were leaving the city. Commander Burton, after congratu lating the members of the organiza tion upon the success of the encamp ment, said: "The consolidated reports of the as sistant adjutant-general for the term ending June 30 are never received in time to enable the adjutant-general to tabulate them for the benefit of the next succeeding National encampment, and It is important to state our num erical strength of June 30, 1908. "On December 1. 1908, the members In good standing numtiered 229.932. On December 31. 1907, trie members In good standing numbered 225.157, net loss In membership during the year 1907, 4775. During the year 1907 our loss by death was 10.242, which was partly offset by 64S7 members who were added to our roll by muster In and reinstatement." Commander Burton declared that the suspended list is very large and sug gested that whenever It Is apparent a comrade cannot pay his dues without detriment to himself or family his post should promptiy remit them. He congratulated the members of th Grand Army upon the passage of the Sulloway bill, in April. 190S. which grants to every honorably-discharged soldier of the War of the Rebellion, who served 90 days or more and who had reached the age of 62 years, a pension of 312 per month, and to the widows of such sol diers a pension of a like sum. Eloquent tribute were paid by Com mander Burton to Thomas G. Lawlor, of Rockford. 111., past commander-in-chief of the Grand Army, and to Daniel R. Lucas, the past chaplain of the organiza tion, who died last November In Indianapolis. Reed-Frenc The friend-making piano offer of Reed French takes all the kinks out of the big retail dealers. A beautiful Reed-French piano, in tone, finish and reputation for $224 precisely the same grade piano usually sold for $350. The store Sixth and Burnside -Open evenings till 9. TEST VOTE ON . HUGHES Republican Committee to Be Bound by Result of Primaries. NEW TORK. Sept. 3. With the pur pose of testing the sentiment In Manhat tan for the renominatlon of Governor Hughes, it was announced today at the headquarters of the Republican committee that at the Republican primary next Tuesday Mr. Hughes' name would be printed on the city ticket In nine As sembly districts. Republican leaders In the county stated tonight that they would regard the re sult of the primaries as morally binding upon them as to their attitude In the state convention. The Assembly districts where the tests are to be made are in widely separated sections, from the lower end of the city REED FRENCH PIANOS REED; FRENCH PIANOS AreedA (firench J V PIANOS Reed- 9 It is a custom of the Reed-French Piano Company to place on the market in the Fall of the year a number of their own pianos at a price much less than usual, with the idea of acquainting the people generally with the Reed- French pianos and Reed-French piano selling methods. 9 This method is very much different from anything you have ever heard of in Portland, because it undertakes to do away with the retailer and brings the maker and the player together. It stands to reason, doesn't it, the fewer people interested in a piano the less it costs the person who uses it? 9 The piano we offer is first-class and the price of it so low it becomes an irresistible proposition to anyone want ing an instrument. 9 When we say this strictly modern, first-class piano may - be had for $224 we are making a statement that is utterly , beyond a retail house to make, quality of the instrument . considered. 9 This $224 piano is built to compete with the $350 piano of retail stores, and if tone, appearance, reputation and past experience count we have them beaten to a "frazzle." " 9 See us today and know more of this $224 offer. We for got to say, before, that, easy monthly payments will be accepted. French Piano Co. Sixth and Burnside SENT HOME BY CLEVELAND Incident That Closed British Minis ter's Diplomatic Career Creat ed Sensation Twenty . Years Ago. lixnnv. ReDt. 8. Lionel Sackville West, second baron of Sackville, died at Knoll Park. Seven Oaks, today. He had been ill for 'some time and since August 15 he had been confined to his bed. Lord Sackville West was born in 1S27 and served his country In the diplomatic ser vice. He was Britisn minister 10 mo United States from 1SS1 to 1S88. At the request of President Cleveland he was re called In October, 1SS8. Lord Sackville's dismissal by President Cleveland practically ended his diplomatic career, for since 1SW he was never In trusted with any Important diplomatic mission. He lived quietly the life of a country gentleman and seldom appeared in London society. He always retained a grudge against America and Americans and it was his custom to avoia any mtt I- .WV. ....!.,. pAm thA nthpr SidP. A few years ago Lord Sackville created a sensation by puDiismng a pampmri, meant for private circulation among his friends. In wnicn he vinaicaieu. mo uituu matlc work in the United States. The newspapers obtained a copy 01 tins puo lication. In It Lord Sackville explained with much picturesque detail that the trap into which he ieu at nasninBiim was a Fenian conspiracy: that the Fenian organization harassed him during his resi dence in America: kept spies after him and plotted to assassinate him. Few of the diplomat's friends took this story seriously. J. M. Thompson, Frugal Milionaire. ST. LOUIS, Sept. 3 Judson M. Thompson, aged 77 years, a million aire and for many years a conspicuous figure In St. Louis, died at the home of his son In Old Orchard last night. He lived frugally and it was his cus tom to buy clothing at little expense and wear the apparel as long as It would last. Three years ago he re tired from active business. He was vice-president of the old Continental National Bank and in the early days in St. Louis he represented the bank- I lng house of Morgan & Co. Owen L. Stratton, Missionary. CHICAGO. Sept. 3. Advices were re ceived here today telling of the death on August 30 of Owen Loveboy Stratton. at the Episcopal mission at Wuhu. China. Mr. Stratton was the son of Rev. L N. Stratton. of Lockport, 111., and had been doing missionary work in China for sev eral years. VVOODARD, CLARKE AND COMPANY PHONES : Exchange 1 1 A 6171 Our Fniiav W ab Sat A W 'A As usual we are offering a lot of unusual reductions for Friday's Bargain sale. You will do well to read this Ad, as it contains many money-saving bargains. The sale lasts only one day, so take advantage. FRIDAY DRUG DEPT. BARGAINS Regular 40c Sugar Milk, Friday, per lb 270 Regular 15c Compound Licorice Powder, Friday, per pkg 90 Regular 15c Petrola, half-lb. can, Friday 90 Regular 50c Pure Cream Tartar, Friday, per lb 3S0 Regular 10c Moth Balls, Friday, per pkg 50 Regular 10c Ground Flaxseed, Friday, per pkg 50 Regular 25c Mixed Spices for pickling, Friday, per can 150 Regular 25c Antiseptic Soap Sol. (Germicide), Friday, bot..l30 Regular 25c Sweet Oil, Friday, bottle 140 Regular 25c Bay Rum, Friday, bottle . 140 Regular 20c Denatured Alcohol, Friday, pint 140 FRIDAY TOILET ARTICLE BARGAINS Regular 50c Ricksecker Powder, Friday 330 Regular 25c Satin Skin Powder, Friday .170 Regular 50c Ricksecker Cold Cream, Friday 330 Regular 50c Camelline, Friday 330 Regular 25c Almond Cream, Friday 170 Regular 25c Murray & Lanman Florida Water, Friday 170 SPECIAL FRIDAY SOAP BARGAINS Regular 10c Sapolio, Friday 70 Regular 50c Castile Soap, 3V2-lb. bar, Friday..: .....360 Regular 10c Bon Ami, Friday 70 Regular 25c Cuticura, Friday 160 Regular 25c 4711 Toilet Soap, Friday 110 Regular 10c Ivory, Friday 70 Regular 5c Cotton Soap, Friday, per dozen 350 Reg. 25c box Armour's Violet, Rose, Heliotrope, Friday, box. 100 Regular 50c Jergen's assortment of 8 cakes, Friday, box.... 210 Reg. 50c Face Glycerine and Tar, 12 to box, Friday, per box. .210 These are only a few of our Soap Reductions. FRIDAY BRISTLE GOODS BARGAINS Regular $1.75 Hair Brushes, 12-row, satin back, Friday $1.15 Regular $1.00 Hair Brushes, 9-row, foxwood back, Friday 560 Regular 25c Nail Brushes, 6-row, bone handle, Friday 120 Regular 65c Combs, 7y2-inch, white, coarse, Friday 390 Regular 65c Combs, 8-inch, white, coarse and fine, Friday. .. .390 Regular 25c Tooth Brushes, Friday 120 Regular 35c Tooth Brushes, Friday 210 FRIDAY RUBBER GOODS BARGAINS Regular 75c Red Rubber Gloves, all sizes, Friday 390 Regular $2.00 extra heavy Lineman's Gloves, Friday $1.39 Regular $1.25 Screw Top Ice Cap, Friday 630 Regular $2.50 4-quart Maroon Combination Syringe and Water Bottle, Friday ...$1.73 Regular $1.25 3-quart Fountain Syringe, Friday ' 98 Regular $2.50 4-quart Maroon Water Bottle, Friday $1.9S $1.50 1-quart Red Water Bottle, guaranteed 2 years, Friday. .980 FRIDAY ART DEPT. BARGAINS 2-inch Veneer Frames for Postal Cards; natural wood and green oak finish; Friday 50 Passepartouts, Gibson Pictures, Russell Pictures, in 2-inch oak frames; facsimile water colors and oils in antique gold frames; values to 60c; Friday 150 Genuine Carbons in 2-inch frames English Hunting Pictures in colors and unique oak frames; genuine artist-signed etch ings, 9x12; Boileau's Heads, 9x14, in dark frames; facsimile Water Colors, 10x22, in gold frames and ornamented corners; Friday . .250 Facsimile Water Colors and Oils, 16x20, several subjects; 3-inch gilt frames, ornamented corners; Den Pictures, 10x20, in lV2-inch oak frames; Christie Pictures in original colors, 1-inch black frames; Friday 98 0 FRIDAY STATIONERY DEPT. BARGAINS Engraved Calling and Business Cards from plate, Friday 25 PER CENT OFF Regular 20c Playing Cards, Friday 11 0 Bicycle Playing Cards, Friday 190 Bee Playing Cards, Friday 190 Congress Cards, Friday 4UO Regular 20c Tablets, Friday 110 Regular $1.50 Postcard Albums, Friday $1.00 Regular 35c to 50c Postcard Albums 190 Regular 40c, 50c and 60c fine Writing Paper, Friday 230 FOUR SPECIAL FRIDAY BARGAINS Extra special sample line of high-grade nickel-plated Bathroom Fixtures, including towel bars, glass shelves, tumbler holders, soap dishes, toilet paper-holders and sponge-holders; Friday, only ONE HALF PRICE. Regular $1.20 Ever Ready Flash Light, 10-inch size, Friday.. 890 Regular 25c Shoe Brush, good quality, Friday ...170 $1 Dolphin heavy nickel-plated Curling Iron Heater, Friday. .690 FAMILY LIQUOR AND WINE BARGAINS Regular $1.25 to $1.65 extra special assorted brands high grade Whisky, including Scotch, Rye and Bourbon, Friday, qt.950 Regular $1.25 fine old California Brandy, Friday, per quart.. 980 Regular $1.25 California Claret Wine, Friday, per gallon 890 $1 California Port or Sherry (Reserved Stock), Friday, qt...590 50c Woodlark Pure Concord Grape Juice, Friday, 3 qts..$1.00