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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 1919)
THE 3IORXIXG. OREGOXIAX, MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1919. 3 ' FATHER CLEARS GIRL, SUICIDE, OF BLAME Jump FrCm Ferry Attributed to Love for Husband. ROMANCE FOUND TRUE Charges of Improper Conduct Made in Poison-Pen Letter Attacked by Milwaukee Business Man. Copyright by the New York World. Pub lished by Arrangement.) NEW YORK, Nov. 23. (Special.) In order that "the public may know the wholo truth and that the fair name of his daughter may be cleared of the stain which mistaken reports have cast upon it," Frederick Schmit ter, a business man of Milwaukee, father of 19-year-old Elizabeth Schmitter, "poison-pen" victim, who took her life by jumping from a West Shore ferry boat on November 14, six weeks after her marriage to Edmund Moffett, a. law student of West New York, has made an affidavit briefly recounting the events leading up to his daughter's death. The girl was driven to leap to her death by a series of letters addressed by a mysterious "Lieutenant Brown" to her supposed admirer and fiance, which, she declared in her final let ter to her mother, were calculated to injure her in his eyes. It was while crossing to Manhattan on a ferryboat to keep an engagement with her hus band that her grief apparently over came her and she decided to end it all. Letten Contain "Vile Threat." The news of the tragedy brought the girl's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred erick C. Schmitter, from Milwaukee to New York. Mrs. Schmitter is re ported to have voiced no objection to the engagement. Moffett's parents, however, who claim descent from the British house of Stuart, 'are said to have insisted on delay until their son should have graduated from college. Moffett himself reported that he had destroyed the letters and could not remember their contents, except that they embodied "vile threats" because -of the announcement of the engage ment. All avenues of search so far have failed to reveal the identity of the Washington officer who gave his name as 'Brown." After rehearsing the girl's early life In West New York, where the family attended a local Dutch reformed church, "also attended by Edmund Moffett. a schoolmate of Elizabeth," Mr. Schmitter tells of moving with his wife and six children to Milwau kee in September, 1918, thereby part ing Edmund and Elizabeth, "who were greatly attached to each other." Lieutenant Visits Girl. "Affiant had preceded ITis family to Milwaukee in June, 191S," the affi davit continues. "While affiant's family was on the train en route from New York to Milwaukee, Lieu tenant Irving Brown, whose home is at Salem, near Boston, Mass., but who was stationed at Camp Grant, Ill was quite attentive to affiant's younger children, and as he was clad in his service uniform Elizabeth and affiant's wife became quite wel'. ac quainted with him. "As a patriotic duty, Elizabeth in vited said Irving Brown, when on leave, to call at their horn, in Mil waukee. Brown accepted the invita tion and later visited at affiant's home for a period of three weeks. "Last spring Brown was trans ferred to Hampton, Va.. to assist in debarkation work. After a year's ab sence from New York, Elizabeth be came very anxious to see her old home and her sweetheart, Edmund Moffett. who had entered as a stu dent in the law school of New Y'ork university. She asked affiant if she might take a trip to West New Y'ork, as she was invited to visit with Mr. . Moffett's married sister, and affiant, to please her, permitted her to do so. Itronn Cleared of Blame. "That her trip might be more pleasant, affiant arranged that Eliza beth stop at Cincinnati, where' we have friends, and at Washington, that she might see the capital in the midst of its war activities. "While at Washington Elizabeth called on Brown and several girl friends engaged in war service work, who were stationed nearby at Hamp ton, Va. Brown offered to accom pany Elizabeth on the remainder of her journey to New York, as he wished to visit his folks near Boston. Brown traveled on the same train with Elizabeth from Washington to New York, but, as shown by her last tense statements written just before her death and now in my possession. Brown made no improper advances to her, and upon their arrival at New York Elizabeth went to the home of Mr. Moffett's married sister and Brown proceeded to his home near Boston. Elizabeth Renews Friendship. "Elizabeth renewed her friendship with Edmund Moffett and a few days after her arrival they became engaged. Brown learned of the en gagement and wished to call on her. but Elizabeth, who had never favored him as a suitor, did not desire to see htm. Brown then decided to go to the Pacific coast, but on his way there stopped at Milwaukee, and. uninvited, came to affiant's home, where he re mained as a visitor for a period of two weeks. "When Brown left affiant's home. after such two weeks' visit, he stated that he was leaving for Kockford, 111. The day after Brown left affiant's home a letter from Elizabeth arrived informing affiant of the receipt by Edmund Moffett. her fiance, of the poison-pen letter which bore the postmark "Boston, Mass." "Affiant searched out Brown and found him still in Milwaukee. Af fiant confronted Brown with the let ter from Elizabeth. Brown denied writing the poison-pen letter and agreed with affiant's statement to him that any man who would write such a letter was a skunk. Brown then made a written statement show ing that his relations with Elizabeth at Hampton, on the J.urney from Washington to New York, and at all other times, were entirely proper, and declared to affiant that he knew nothing of the letter attacking Eliz abeth's character. Karly Marriage I'rgrd. "Affiant wired to Elizabeth of such written statement and mailed same to her and Edmund Moffet. her fiance, to show his faith In her, urged an immedite marriage, even though he had not yet been admitted to the bar and was not in a position to sup port her. Elixabeth consented and they were married by the clerk of Ntw York City October 6. 1919. They kept thetr marriage secret, as Moffett was oeing supported by his folks and defii-'ii to finish his education. Elizabeth, who had a high-strung, impetuous nature, was deeply in love with Edmund .Moffett and this false chaise preyed sreatly upon her mind. Her 1-ttters to her parents showed she r. i-i In ry nt i vuus tate ...ij thai her mind wa3 weakening. To the last Elizabeth vehemently denied the , false charges made against her in the , poison-pen letter sent her mtenaea husband and her heartbroken letters to us show how highly she valued her good, name. Quarrel Not Indicated. "Elizabetn's great love for her hus band made the thought of his doubt ing her finally drive her insane. Mof fett does not appear to have quarreled i very mucn wun .ciizaoein, as xne let ter now in my possession, written by her to her husband the day of her death, does not upbraid him but tense ly swears to her innocence by her faith in God and her hope of life hereafter and reiterates her great love for her husband and refers to him as her prince. "My daughter's whole conduct and every word -show beyond a doubt that she was entirely guiltless in this mat ter and that her great love for her husband caused her to lose her reason when the poisonous letter came be tween her and the absolute confidence of the man she loved. "I make this affidavit to show that after full investigation I know that not only was that letter to Edmund Moffett written for the purpose of breaking his engagement to my daughter, but that the subtle insinua tions contained in that hellish letter, which cost my beloved daughter her life, were absolutely false." "V" mini niv nn noT I mm MA! bU LAG I NORTHWEST TO BE WELL REP RESENTED AT DES MOINES. Interest Is Shown In Student Vol unteer Convention; Transporta tion Committee Is Named. John H. Rudd. county Y, M. C. A. work secretary for Oregon, who is di recting the work of arranging for del egates to the student volunteer con vention, to be held in Des Moines the latter part of this month, reports great interest in the meeting through out this state and Idaho. All dele gates must be registered in New York at once and he says this section of the country will be well represented. There is a movement on foot to ar range for a special train for the northwest delegates and to handle this subject a special committee has been named, consisting of Miss Flor ence .Read of Reed college, Oregon region and chairman; James Mac Pherson, university Y. M. C. A., Mos cow, Idaho, northern Idaho region; Miss Gertrude Shoemaker, College of Idaho, Caldwell, southern Idaho re gion. All transportation matters will be attended to by them. The honor group, although not com plete, probably will bo Willamette university. Pacific college. College of Idaho, Reed college. Pacific university and the Lewiston normal. Kimball college is planning to send at least one and possibly two delegates. Oregon Agricultural college will send 33 delegates and the University of Oregon will send 19. The convention is inter-denominational and is to be held for the pur pose of inspiring men and women to give their lives to special work in the religious world. This will be one of the largest conventions ever held, and wi.l continue from December 31 to January 4. STORM RAKES MONTANA Fierce Blizzard Sweeps Out of Hell Gate Canvon, Near Missoula. MISSOULA, Mont., Nov. 30. A ter rific blizzard swept out of Hell Gate canvon. pant nf t-ha i a , " v. . i. y , Luviaj , diiu as the evening advanced it increased omciai temperature records taken at the .Iqi. ,,niA..:.. showed a minimum of 13 at 6 P. M. Since then it has become several degrees colder, with the mercury still falling. Nearly a foot of snow has fallen in the last 24 hours. HELENA, Mont., Nov. 30. Heaw snow fell in this section tonight and me inermometer is hovering about zero. BOY BURGLARS CAUGHT Lads, 10 and 9, Captured on Roof of Apartment House. SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 30. Two boys, Donald Robertson, 10, and George Clark, 9, captured late last night on the roof of an apartment house and charged with burglary, are believed by the police to be respon sible for a series of home and apart ment thefts. In the Robertson boy's home the police found a diamond ring claimed by a woman who reported that. she had discovered the youngsters escap ing from a window in her home. JUDGE MORROW SPEAKS Everyman's Club Hears Court At titude to Litigation Parties. Interesting stories of incidents in his career as judge enlivened the dis course of Judge R. G. Morrow before a large audience at Everyman's club, 243 Couch street, last night. The attitude of courts toward par ties in litigation was the subject of his address, which was so well re ceived that Judge Morrow has been requested to appear again at the club. S. & H. Green stamps for cash. Holman Fuel Co. Mai- 353. A 3353. Adv. CHEST CLOGGED UP WITH HEAVY COLD? Don't Give it a Chance to "Set In" Use Dr. King's New Discovery. FOR REAL SATISFACTION WEAR THE Service Suit Men get into a Cowden Service Suit! Note how roomy and comfortable it is in any position and how completely it protects you. The "Cowden" is the fin ished result of years of experience in the manufacture of one-piece work suits. It is made of 3 strong fabrics Olive Twill, Indigo Blue Denim and Blue Stifel Stripe. Note the triple stitched seams, under-arm ventilators, Never Tear button holes, all brass buttons, large military pockets, reinforced belt, See Special Window Demonstration on LIVING MODEL Today in the Vindows of MOYER CLOTHING CO. Third and Oak Sts. , t inted Clothing Co.. SS North Tbird W. 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Inspectors Pat Moloney and Bob La Salle, how ever, who were investigating, were unable to get any evidence yester day connecting the men with any of the crimes. S. V. Cot. Fan Marco hotel, report ed that he had been held up the pre ceding night about midnight at Elev enth and Mill streets by a man in a sailor's uniform. The highwayman failed to obtain anything. M. C. Bond, 535 Johnson street, also reported being held up by a gang comprising two men and three women at the corner of Fifteenth and Couch streets. Mr. Bond did not report any monty lost. Fifteen dollars was secured from A. L. Lanebox. 224 Harrison street, who said he was held up by two men at First and Madison streets. Klamath Has New Firm. KLAMATH FALLS. Or., Nov. 30. (Special.) Henry D. Davis of Wiscon sin, known throughout the United States and Canada as one of the shrewdest and most experienced lum bermen in the industry, has entered the local field, heading an organi zation railed the Valley Lumber com pany. Articles of incorporation have been filed with the secretary of state. The capitalization of the corporation is $100,000. Associated with Mr. Davis are his sons. Henry C. and Robert D. Davis, and George A. Stephenson. Shipping Board Agent Resigns. NEW YORK, Nov. 30. Captain Frank E. Ferris, for the past year managing agent at New York for the United States shipping board, has re signed to become vice-president and general manager for the Export Steamship company, it was an nounced today. Drain V.orkman Injured. DRAIN, Or., Nov. 30. (Special.) E. ii. Whipple of this place met with a serious accident yesterday in the Leona mills three miles north of here. His left arm was severed above the elbow by one of the large saws. He was brought at once to Drain and THAT dangerous stage where a cold or cough or case of grippe might get the better of you may be nearer than you think. Prompt action with Dr. King's New Discovery will avert a long siege. For fifty years it has loosened con gested chests, dissipated tight-packed phlegm, broken vicious colds and coughs. Give it to the youngsters take it yourself. There will be no dis agreeable, after-effects. 60c and 1.20 a bottle. At your druggist's. Adv. Bowels Become Normal liver livens up, bile flows freely headache, biliousness, tongue-fur, stomach-sourness, disappear when Dr. King's New Life. Pills get in their natural, comfortable action. Purgatives, never pleasantly correc tive, sometimes habit-forming, should not be taken to rack the system vio lently. Nature's way is the way of Dr. King's New Life Pills gentlv but j firmly functioning the bowels, elimi nating the Intestine-clogging waste ' and promoting the most gratifying i results. Cleanse the system with them and know the boon of regular bowels. "5c at all druggists. Adv. inn later was sent to the hospital in Portland. Many Offer to Care for Leper. YAKIMA, Wash., Nov. 30. (Spe cial.) The Yakima county commis sioners have received applications from a number of persons who are anxious to undertake the care of Otto Wagner, alleged leper, under a ruling of the state board of health. Their proposals are conditioned however, on payment by the county of $10 a day for the service. It was declared yesterday that Wagner probably would be sent to some institution for the care of lepers. (UR bank building is designed for one pur pose. Under one roof we have gathered all the necessary departments for handling your financial needs. The entire edifice is dedicated to the service of our customers. THE FIRST NATIONAL OF PORTLAND OREGON FIRST, NATIONAL' THE OF THE ROCKY BANK WEST MOUNTAINS BANK. are 1 America's Opinion on Russia Just Out American Number TRUGGLING RUSSIA A Weekly Magazine Devoted to Russian Problems CONTAINING ARTICLES AND STATEMENTS ON RUSSIA, PREPARED FOR THIS ISSUE BY Ambassador David R. Francis, Hon. Elihu Root, Dr. Nicholas Murray .Butler, Samuel Gompers, Jacob H. Schiff, Lawrence F. Abbott, George Kennan, Dr. Stephen S. Wise, James Duncan, John Spargo, J. G. Phelps Stokes, William English Walling, Major Stanley Washburn, Lydia Noble, Prof. A. L. Frothingham, Edmund Noble, Khyva St. Albans, Erving Winslow, Louise de Wetter, A. Hichle. U. S. Senators: Hon. William H. King, Hon. Lawrence L. Sherman, Hon. Warren S. Harding, Hon. Charles S. Thomas, Hon. Robert L. Owen, Hon. Edwin S. Johnson, Hon. Lee S. Overman. U. S. Congressmen : Hon. Walter H. Newton, Hon. .Clement Brum baugh, Hon. Isaac Siegel, Hon. James Husted, Hon. Edmund Piatt, Hon. John J. Esch, Hon. John Raker, Hon. Frederick R Lehlbach, Hon. C. A. Christopherson, Hon. V. D. Upshaw. 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