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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (May 26, 1910)
J VOL,. jL. NO. 15,4.43. NEW TAGK TAKEN E Law Inadequate, Says Browne's Attorney. LEGISLATOR'S TRIAL HALTS No Offense Against Illinois to Take Money, Asserted. BURGLARS AT COURTROOM defense of Representative Accused of Taking Money to Vote for Senator Lorlmer Has to Snow That It Is Not Punishable. CHICAGO. May 25. (Special.) At torney W. S. Forrest has until 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon to search; for au thorities supporting his theory In the case against Representative Lee ONeil Browne. that the laws of ininols can not reach a legislator who gives or accepts a bribe for voting for United States Senator. The delay was granted this after noon, following a rather lurid court scene, during which the attorneys for the defense declared that politics was mingled with the case and that State's Attorney Way-man was keeping wit nesses bottled up so that they could not be taken into Sangamon County where, he said, lay the venue, if the state had any Jurisdiction in the case. Attorney Asks Questions. "Why should there be strife between the officers of the state over Juris diction?" shouted the attorney. "Why should the people be subjected to the expense of a trial twice? What's the matter? It appears that Sangamon County can't get the witnesses. It aPwtlrs .taht they are beln8T withheld. Why is the State's Attorney of Cook County keeping witnesses away from Sangamon County when Sangamon County wants to Investigate the case' Why Is It? The Jurisdiction, if Illinois lias any Jurisdiction, certainly Is In Bangamon County." Several Contentions Made. During the course of the afternoon Mr. Forrest made the following con tentions, among others: "When a leg islator does any act which he could not do If he were not a legislator. It does not follow that he must do that act by virtue of Ms oaths as legislator. A representative Is not acting as a member of the General Assembly in voting for Senator In Joint assembly any more than the Cook County Judges are exercising their Judicial powers when they elect Park Commissioners. "It is no offense to give money cor ruptly after an officer has voted hon estly. "If White voted for Lorlmer because he was a friend of Lorlmer, and there was no corrupt agreement expressed or Implied, and if thereafter he was given money tt would be no offense. Judges Kef erred To. "Judges and clerks of election carmot be punished under the state laws for corrupt acts relating to the election of members of Congress. Jurisdiction lying In the Federal courts. There is no state law regulating the election of United States Senators." A sensational turn was given the Browne trial when an attempt was made during a noon recess to burglarize Judge McSurloy's courtroom In the Criminal Court building. Lock on Door Jammed. A lock on the main door had been jammed so badly it was necessary to re move it before the door could be re opened. Whoever attempted to secure access to important papers by breaking Into the "courtroom, had apparently been frightened away by attaches of the build ing. Judge McSurley, State's attorney Way man and assistants, lawyers for the de fense, court stenographers and news papermen were all at lunch when the at tempt was made. When he was informed of the matter. State's Attorney Wayman said he does not take to court with him the alleged confessions made by Representatives J. C. Beckemeyer and Michael S. Link, the contents of which have been kept a close secret. AGITATORS FLOOD FRESNO Spokane Disturbers Now Threaten Trouble In Sou then City. FRESNO. Cal., May 24. Industrial Workers of the World are arriving In this city from Spokane In large numbers, and the agitators have caused such dis turbances that it has come to open war between them and the local police. Leading agitators have said that they will speak in Fresno despite all orders and several have already been thrown in jail. Hawaiian Railway Bill Ratified. WASHINGTON, May 23. The Housd to day passed a bill ratifying an act of the Hawaiian Legislature authorizing W. A. Wall, of Honolulu, and his associates to construct and operate a railroad on the island of Hawaii. BRIBERY 5 DTDIT ALn MHTUITD 1 SEEKS SLAIN SON LETTER COMES FOR JOHN HOPFJUuV, VICTIM OF GOHL. Pathetic Appeal Comes From Ger many From Woman Blinded by Tears as She Writes. HOQUIAM, Wash.," May 25. (Special.) In far-off Germany a mother is anxiously awaiting a reply to a letter she sent to her son In Aberdeen. A small nephew eagerly wishing to go to school has writ ten to his uncle for money to pay his expenses. The nephew says that his brother already has gone to school a year. Neither will ever hear from the son and uncle, who lies dead in the' waters of Chehalis River, where his body was thrown after he had been cruelly mur dered by William Gohl. who will'serve a life sentence for the crime. The man's name is John Hoffman, and friends have written to his mother telling her that she never will hear from her son again. The pathetic letter she wrote to her boy seemed to contain a prominl tion that all was not well with him. She said : "If you are alive and well, hasten to reply. I can't write the tears are blind ing me." All the members of the family Bigned the letter. POISON POINTS. TO JAIL " Spokane Woman May Be Prosecuted for Attempting' Suicide. SPOKANE, Wash., May 25. (Spe cial.) Audrey Gilmore, who last night swallowed bichloride of mercury tab lets because sh ewas sick and discour aged, must now face a charge of at tempted suicide. The young woman may be compelled to serve two years In the State Penitentiary because a small messenger boy notified the Emergency Hospital physicians. Prosecuting At torney Fred C. Pugh filed an informa tion against the woman this morning. Miss Gilmore ' was a lodger at the Crescent Hotel. She had been stopping there only a few days. Last night she summoned Ora Forbes, a messenger boy, and sent him for bichloride tablets. She then dissolved the poison and in the presence of the boy swallowed the solution. Her death was prevented by the arrival of the Emergency Hospital hpysicians. MUSEUM GETS TROPHIES Seven Tons From Africa Added to Carnegie Institution. PITTSBURG, May 25. Seven tons of African hunting trophies, constituting a collection similar to that which Theodore Roosevelt has sent to the Smithsonian In stitution at Washington, are on their way to Pittsburg from Nairobi, British East Africa, for the Carnegie Museum here. Childs Frick, son of H. C. Frick, of the United States Steel Corporation, recently undertook a hunting and exploring expe dition into Africa at his own initiative and expense. His own trophies and sev eral which he bought for the museum, fill 13 barrels and 17 cases. Among the. specimens are an elephant, hippo, rhino, two giraffes, five zebras, elands, water bucks, wart hogs, roan an telopes, hartebeestes, bush bucks, red bucks, kudus, gnus, orabais, dikdlks, klip springers and various other antelopes and gazelles, a leopard, a cheetah, Jackals, four hyenas, baboons, numerous monkeys and many smaller animals; a considerable collection of larger birds, a very large collection of - skulls and skeletons, rep tiles and snakes in alcohol, and several cans of dried lions' meat. ,,- , FIRE WIPES OUT WISTER Oklahoma Town, Named for Author, Is Destroyed. FORT SMITH, Ark., May 25.Practical ly the entire business1 section of Wister, Okla., 50 miles southwest of here, was burned today and tonight. One man, whose identity has not been established was burned to death in the Brown HoteL The first fire began early today and burned seven business houses and three hotels. Several more business blocks were burned tonight. Lest the entire town would be burned, houses and stores were dynamited. The fire was believed to be under control at 11 o'clock. Its cause is unknown. OLD OREGONIAN IS DEAD John P. Velten Laid to Rest by , Family and Many Friends. John P. Velten, an old resident of Ore gon, who died Tuesday, 'was buried yes terday from the Finley mortuary chapel. The body was attended by a large escort to Riverview cemetery, where it was in terred. Mr. Velten was 81 years of age and a native of Germany. He was a resident of Hillsdale, near this city. Mr. Velten leaves five- sons and one daughter. They are William Velten, a tailor and Peter Velten, a retired busi nessman, both of this city; A. K. Velten, a real estate dealer, of Seattle; John Vel ten, a tailor of Salt Lake City; Carl Vel ten, a farmer living near Portland; and Mrs. Schott of Condon. Oregon. FINE SYSTEM IS OPPOSED Experts Would Give Medical Aid to "Drunks" on Arrest. ST. LOUIS, May 25. Fines and Impris onment for drunkenness will be super seded by medical treatment if three stu dents 'of the question who spoke before the National Conference of Charities and Corrections have their way. They were Bailey B. Burritt, of New York; Robert A, Wood, of Boston, and Judge William J. Pollard, of St. Louis. PORTLAND, OREGON. THURSDAY, MAT GRAND JURYTAKES UPSIVIITHMYSTERY Ericson Avoids Volun tary Statement. POISONED WINE IS FEATURE Drink Given by Undertaker Makes Woman Sick. MRS. BODEN TELLS STORY Friend of Missing Woman and Hearse Driver Take Stand. Ericson Deluges Los Angeles Friend With Letters. Poisoned wine, wholesale letters from Ericson to Lehbrick in Los Ange les, and the fact that the grand Jury has began a probe into the case,- were some of the features which entered Into yesterday's developments of the Mrs. Hanna Smith mystery. Still more sensational developments are expected within the next 24 hours. Eric E. Ericson, the undertaker who has been custodian of the missing wo man's funds since the death, of her husband In 1907, and - who had the "fake" telegram sent to put friends and relatives of Mrs. Smith off the trail, yesterday refused to appear before the grand Jury. He was given an oppor tunity to make a voluntary statement, but did not take advantage of it. It is believed, however, that the man who has acted so queerly in the mys terious disappearance of the old Swed ish widow will come before the Inquisi torial body either this morning or af ternoon and state his side of the case. Until this Is done, no little suspicion is pointed in his direction. He has en gaged Charles- Schnabel to represent his legal Interests. Witnesses Heard by Jury. . The development of yesterday was the story told b'y Mrs. O. Boden, an In timate friend of the missing woman, for years past. She was before the grand Jury yesterday afternoon, as was A. B. Chase, cabman and hearse-driver for the Ericson Undertaking Parlors. Before she went in the grand Jury room Mrs. Boden told The Oregonian how she had called on the lone widow when the latter was very ill, and how Mrs. Smith had then, between sobs, said she had been given wine by Eric son which had made her deathly sick, which Ericson himself refused to taste. This was on the occasion of Ericson's birthday, according to the tale the missing woman told Mrs. Boden. The undertaker denies this story absolute ly, maintaining that his birthday Is in February and that he Sever gave her any wine which made her sick. The story told by A. B. Chase, hearse driver, has been the subject of consid eration by the authorities. It is be lieved, as he was before the grand Jury yesterday. Chase maintains that he saw Mrs. Smith enter Ericson's estab lishment on the Sunday night she dis appeared, adding that there was an other woman with Mrs. Smith, who (Concluded on Page 2. . 4 ( You hayTa tha'tN kMm C AB0UT. ITS ENFoKcPmfiML INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS The Weatlier. YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature, 11 degrees; minimum. 54 degrees. TODAY' S Probably f a lr ; westerly winds. "' Foreign. , Japanese magazine predicts war with ITnlted States when Panama Canal is finished. Pase s. Mrs. Roosevelt chats with Queen Mother Alexandra, while Colonel talks to Par liamentary Union. Page 2. National. Senator La Follette argues for reorganiza tion of Interstate Commerce Commls " sion. Page S. Domestic Mother pleads In court for baby held for board bill. Page 1. J. Koehler, "golden ' rule" Chief of Cleve land police, suspended on charges of Im morality. Page 1. Christian church worker blames minister for downfall, declaring he sought intimacy with her. Page 1. Sugar weigher's confession implicates late H. O. Havemeyer: frauds more than 29 years old. Page 1. . , That Prohibitionists forged to win campaign Is charged in Illinois. Page S. Attorney fop Lee CNeil Browne says Illi nois law cannot punish legislator for ac cepting bribe. Page 1. Sport. Pacinc Coast League results: Portland 6, Sacramento 3; Los Angeles 2, San Fran cisco 0; Oakland 4. Vernon 1. Page 10. Oregon University team wins fast game from W. S. c. Page 10. After both, shells swamp in heavy sea, Uni versity of Washington, spurning vic tory, decides to race again with Stan ford. Page 9. Commercial and Marine. Oregon wool market in an uncertain state. Page 23. May wheat soars in Chicago pit. Page 23. Stock market weakened by reports of Sen ate proceedings. Page 23. Wool bids rejected by Echo growers. Page 23. British steamer Glenlee chartered for Orient; lumber In demand. Page 22. Pacifio Northwest. Harriman crews survey new east and west route across Eastern Oregon. Page 8. Portland and Vicinity. Grand jury probe brings out stofy of al leged poisoned wine in Mrs. Smith mys tery. Page 1. Wife of convict, baring story of troubles, stops moving-picture show of husband's case, and charges exhibitor is his be trayer. Page 11. Tacoma pledges its support to Rose Festival. Page 11. Speed and equipment war expected to re sult from new O. R. & N. Spokane serv ice. Page 14. Arguments In Scrlber case to be completed today. Page. . . Option taken on quarter block at Sixth and Alder at S500.000: syndicate being formed to take it at 5500.000. Page Council committee urges acceptance of Ter minal Company's offers for Broadway bridge concessions, but entire body must decide O. R. & N. portion of deal. Page HYDE JUROR IS ANNOYED Sibley Man Says He Was Influenced by His Views Only. KANSAS CITY. Mo., May 25. Samuel R. Johnson, of Sibley, Mo- the last Juror to agree to the conviction of Dr. B C. Hyde, does not want people to think he was influenced by anything but his own beliefs when he voted ad versely to the physician. Writing to Judge Ralph S. Latshaw today, the Juror said: "As one of the Jurors in the Hyde case, I wish to say that there was not any game of chance to my knowledge in deciding the case, and that I reached my verdict by my own deliberations." COAL MINERS .VICTORIOUS Forty-two Illinois Operators Accept . Terms of Strikers. ST. LOUIS, May 25. Forty-two coal operators in the Belleville district, this afternoon voted to accept the terms of the striking coal miners In Illinois and to secede from the Illinois Coal Ope rators' Association. INSURGENTS ARE BEATEN Madrlz Claims Complete Victory at Bluefields- Bluff. SAH JUAN DEL SUR, Nicaragua, May 25. A report has Just been received here from Government sources of the complete defeat of the Insurgents at Bluefields Bluff. CONDITIONS VERSUS THEORIES 26, 1910. E THAN 29 YEARS OLD 2 Late H. 0. Havemeyer Is Implicated. SPITZER'S STORY CONTINUED Confession Delayed Because It "Led to Cemetery." PRISONER TALKS FREELY Ashamed, He Says, to Have People Know He Committed Crime With-' out Reward Trust Regarded as Being Invincible. NEW YORK, May 25. Oliver Spitzer, ex-superlntendent of docks of the American Sugar Refining Company, ex plained today why he did not confess at the trial ending last February, when he was sentenced to two years at At lanta. Such a confession, he declared on the stand today, would "have carried him to a cemetery." In other words, he would have Implicated a dead man Henry O. Havemeyer, late head of the sugar trust. Spitzer was under cross-examination by the defense at the trial of Charles R. Heike. secretary! treasurer of the American Sugar Refining Company, who, with five' subordinate,, is charged with conspiracy to defraud the Gov ernment by underweighlng sugar. He repeated that he had made his con fession, not with hope of pardon, but to ease his conscience, and he added that after his conviction, his attorneys, now appearing for several of the de fendants, had urged him to tell all he knew. Dead Man Implicated. "What did you say when advised to confess?" asked Clarence Lexow for the defense. "I said the only confession I can make will carry me into a cemetery and Mr. Stimson (the Government prosecutor) does not want that." "You are referring to Henry O. Hssve meyer?" asked the lawyer. "Yes, I ami" answered Spitzer. He added: "I left my effects in Atlanta. I came here to unburden myself of the great wrongs I bad done all these years. I wanted to confess all my sins before this court and tell all I knew. "I wanted. to stand among my fellow men once more and tell all I should have told before. I wanted to go back to my family. I wanted to be shriven of all that cankered me those sleepless nights in Atlanta prison, where I suffered so much. "I couldn't stand it any longer. I told Captain Flynn, of the Secret Service in Atlanta, that I couldn't stand the torture; that I must tell the truth, and that I wouldn't be behind the bars if I had taken the advice of my lawyers, Mr. Mackeller and Mr. Cochran. They told me to confess if I had anything to con fess, before it was too late." This closed the court Incident, but Spitzer talked more freely after leaving (Concluded on Page 2.) SUGAR FRAUD MOR MINISTER BLAMED FOR WOMAN'S FALL CHURCH WORKER FAILS IX SE CURING EXONERATION'. ' Chlco, Cal., Christian Church Gets Sensation When Mrs. Purvis Files Serious Charges. CHICO, Cal., May 25. Speclal.) Mrs. W. S. Purvis, formerly a promi nent worker in the Christian Church of Chico, has created a sensation here by making a sworn affidavit and send ing It out for publication, in which she alleges that Rev. G. L. Lobdell, of that church, kissed her and sought In timacy with her. She declares he said to her that his wife, although an accomplished woman of high Ideals, was not such a com panion as he needed, and that under such conditions he believed polygamy to be Justified and not Immoral. Her affidavit contains many sensa tional allegations. Mrs. Purvis was, she says, called to account before the church board for alleged misconduct in church affairs, and she blames Mr. Lobdell for this. She denies any misconduct and has called upon the church board to exon erate her, but her statement did not receive favorable consideration. She makes a detailed statement in her affidavit to prove the untruth of charges made by Mr. Lobdell and others connected with the church. 'CHAMPION MAN IS KILLED Noted George Rosman, 80, Run Down by Engine at Tacoma, TACOMA, Wash., May 25. (Special.) George Rossman, of the Orting Sol diers' Home, who won first pjrize at the A. Y. P. Exposition last Summer for being the best specimen of man nooa over u years or age, was run down by the Grays Harbor special in the station yard this morning, receiv ing injuries from which he died within a few hours. To the last he displayed his remarkable lvtallty, remarking as he was being removed from under the locomotive wheels, which had fright fully crushed both feet, "looks as if I was done for now." Rossman was 84 years of age and served with Company X. Second Mich igan, in the Civil War. He had been In the home four years .and is declared by Commander George Tibbetts to have been "one of the finest men in the state and an , exemplary citizen." Rossman had secured a week's fur lough and was on his way to visit his daughter on Fox Island.. SEARCH FOR GIRLS VAIN Vancouver Man Unable to Recognize Daughters After Nine Years. VANCOUVER, Wash., May 25. (Spe cial.) After nine years' absence from his two daughters, Catherine, 16 years old, and Agnes, 14 years old, Charles Garrett returned to see them last night, but failed. He would not know them if he met them on the street, he said. Nine years ago Mr. Garrett and his wife separated. She took the chil dren, and he went to California. Later the mother died, and Garrett married again, living in Eureka, Cal. The chil dren were kept in a scnooi here, and later were cared for by Mr. and Mrs. Jake Fritz, a few miles out in the country. Garrett returned last night and wanted to see his children, but he was unable to find them. He "nad agreed years ago that he would give up the care of them, and was not to see them again, but he became lonesome for a sight of them, and made a special trip from California to see them, but In vain. SEYLER FREEDOF CHARGE Man Accused of Murdering Girl on Pier Acquitted. MAYS LANDING. N. J., May 23. Wil liam Seyler, charged with the murder of Jane Adams on the million-dollar pier at Atlantic City last February, was ac quitted tonight. The Jury was out over five hours. Seyler took the stand today in his own defense. He maintained he did not know how the girl met her death and that the last he saw of her she was standing on the pier. When the verdict was announced, there was a cheer from the crowd which was quickly silenced by Judge Trench ard. Seyler fairly leaped at his counsel when he realized he was again a free man. After greeting his counsel, he walked over to the Jurymen and shook hands with each of them, at the same time warmly expressing his thanks. Orvis Seyler, William's brother, who has been held as a witness, was formally discharged and the two brothers immedi ately left for Atlantic City. OLDEST EX-MIDDY IS DEAD Captain, Jones Took Part in Merrl mac's Battle With Monitor. PASADENA, Cal., May 25. Captain John Pembroke Jones, until today the oldest living graduate of the United States Naval Academy and a veteran of the Mexican and Civil Wars, died at his home here today, aged 85 years. Captain Jones was born in Virginia In 1825 and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1847. When the Civil War broke out, he. resigned from the United States service and entered the Confed erate navy, serving as executive officer of the Merrimac in that vessel's en counter with the Monitor. PRICE. FIVE CENTS. GOLDEN RULECHIEF ACCUSED OF CRIME Koehler of Cleveland Is Suspended. CHARGED WITH IMMORALITY Roosevelt's Best Police Chief Declared Drunkard, HE THREATENS EXPOSURE Inquiry Into Charges May Draw Out Sensational Statements by Koeh ler Against Prominent Men. He Vows Dire Vengeance. CLEVELAND, May 25. Chief of Police Frederick Koehler, known throughout the country as the "Golden Rule" Chief and lauded by ex-President Roosevelt aa the best Chief of Polfce in the country, was suspended today by Mayor Baehr on charges of gross immorality, habitual drunkenness and disobedience of orders. Tuesday has been set as a tentative date for Koehler's trial by the Civil Service Commission. Statements by Koehler and his accusers today point to sensational testimony, which may in volve many prominent men. Koehler Will Drag Others Down. Koehler has intimated he Intends to fight the charges to a finish, and if he is disgraced, he will not be the only ona to fall. Among the charges brought against Koehler is that during the seven years he has been at the head of the Police Department he has utilized the detec tive force for the collection of facts con cerning prominent officials and others, to be used if he was attacked. The charges are the culmination of a series of attacks against the Police Chief. After he had been informed of his sus pension today, Koehler exclaimed: "These charges are the work of tht character-snatchers, , grave-robber and blackmailers who have been after me for years." Author of Golden Rule Policy. Koehler Joined the police force as a patrolman 14 years ago. Under Mayor Tom Johnson his rise was rapid. He was appointed Chief In 1903 and since then has attracted National attention by his policy of the "golden rule." Briefly this policy was that for minor offenses, such as intoxication or disorder-, ly conduct, it was better to admonish the offender and persuade him to go home than to arrest him. His opponents have accused Koehler of increasing crime by this policy. GIRL GONE, ALSO $25,000 Confidential Clerk and Man Disap pear at Same Time. OAKLAND. Cal.. May 23. Belle C Jenkln, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Jenkin. well-known residents of Oak land, has been missing since April 15 and she Is accused by the real estate firm of Harry L. Holcomb of having embezzled more than $25,000. For the past four years Miss Jenkin had been employed by the Holcomb Company as a confidential ac countant. At the same time the girl disappeared Harry Houston, also an em ploye of the firm, was reported miming and the police say tjiat Houston and the girl have gone to Honduras. Miss Jenkin . and Houston were seen together at various resorts In Alameda County for nearly two years previous to their disappearance and Houston's wife secured a divorce. - Experts have for several weeks been investigating the Holcomb Company's books with the result that a shortage of more than $15,000 has already been discovered and transactions uncovered which lead the experts to believe the sTiortage will exceed $25,000. LANDS BILL IS CHANGED Senate Committee Decides to Protect Filings Already Made. OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU. Wash ington, May 25. The Senate public lands committee today decided to amend the bill authorizing the President to make withdrawals of public lands by adding the provision that withdrawals shall, not affect legal rights of any settler or entry man under the homestead or desert lands acts, initiated prior to the order of with drawals made under the proposed law. Western Senators will attach a $30,000,000 irrigation bill to this withdrawal bill be fore it passes the Senate, and hope by this means to insure the early adoption of both measures. POWDER TRUST'S CASE IN Government Has 60 Days in Which to Present Rebuttal Testimony. NEW YORK, May 25. The defense to day closed its case in the suit of the Government against the E. I. Dupont de Nemours Powder Company. The prose cution has 60 days to submit rebuttal evi dence and finish the case. Tls testimony will then be presented to the United States Circuit Court at Wilmington, Del., for decision. The action was brought under the Sherman anti-trust law. An adjournment was taken to June 1 for the Government to begin Ms rebuttal In this city. ll 1:1 ton o