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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 25, 1920)
THE MORXIXG OREGONIAX, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 33, 1920 PLUMBER IS HELD. St. m N DENTON MURDER Boarding Room Where Body Was Found Admitted. MRS. PEETE IS INVOLVED CloUilnj- Identified and Found Suspect's Room Declared Girt From Woman. in LOS. ANGELES. Cal.. Sept. 24. James C. Crowhurst. a plumber liv ing at 1021 South Herbert street, ad mitting that he had nailed shut the door to the death closet in the cellar at 6TB South Catalina street, where the body of Joseph C. Denton, wealthy mining man,, was found Thursday, jesterday made a sworn statement to Detectives Lyon and Eox. which contained sensational developments in the murder mystery. Crowhurst was taken in custody for investigation, after it was learned, detectives said, that he had listed for sale willi locad real esta'e, men, the Denton house, that he had in his pos session a dress suit belonging to Denton, that tie had sold some of Denton's clothing and that he had in his possession the coat and vest which matched the trousers in which Dent on's body was clothed when it was Muffed into the closet. Room In Cellar I Seen. Toints to which detectives attach significance were made in his state ment, briefly, as follows: TTrowhurst met a woman who he xaid was Mrs. It. C. I'eete. He did plumbing work for her. v On Ins first visit ft the cellar of the Denton home, early in June, he noticed the room In which the body was found. Fresh earth was there then. Only one nail had been driven to keep the door shut. Mrs. I'eete told him, ho said, that the room "is some pffair of Mr. Denton's" and not to dis turb it. "Later on" he noticed on his second visit to the cellar that three or four nails had been driven into the door instead of one. Vler Healer Repairs Asked. 1 On this occasion, he declared, Mrs. Fcete wanted him to fix a water heater that she said made a noise that "sounded as though a graveyard were awakening up." Mrs. I'eete told Crowhurst, he said, that she was. in touch regularly with Denton and knew of his whereabouts, but at his request his relatives were kept in ignorance of this. "Sho then described those relatives as a rough and vulgar lot who might attempt some dirty work around the place, even going so far as to do her personal injury." Crowhurst said she told him she met Denton through some official of the (Joodycar Rubber & Tire com pany and that Denton wanted some one to be intrusted with his affairs while "he went off on what may be termed a clandestine trip." Clothing Declared Given Tllm. Just before August 12, Crowhurst said. Mrs. Feete told him that she had received word from Denton say ing that Denton was married again, but that Mrs. Peete thought he was in company with one woman but not married. Mrs. Teete said Denton told her to give his clothing away because he had lost his right arm and in tended getting an entire new outfit. Instead of giving them away, Crow hurst declared, she asked hiin to sell them for her and thus accounts .for his having possession of the mur dered man's apparel. At one time, Mrs. Peete told him, the statement said, "Why his (Dent on's) relatives have even stated that 1 and some other woman may have had Mr. Denton up in the mountains of Colorado and murdered him." Property Listed for Sale. He listed the property for sale, he asserted, at the request of Mrs. Peete, who said the figure of $25,000 givep was set by Mr. Denton. Crowhurst is an ex-convict, detec tive Lyon said, having been convicted in Oakland for robbery and paroled in 1910. It was with difficulty that the detectives found him because at the business address which his cards give, no one knew much about him, saying he was little knowrtfe. An ov ercoat said to have been Denton's property, was found at a gasoline station at Ninth street and Vermont avenue, where it was declared Crow hurst had sold It. Other clothing was traced to local econd-hand etorcs, the detectives said. Frw by Mrs. rrftt Reported. A haunting fear of remaining alone In the big Catalina street house was nursed for many days by Mrs. Peete according to a statement issued yes terday by Mrs. Wallace Itimpau of 661 South Bonnie Brae avenue and a friend of Mrs. Peete. "I first met Mrs. Peete," she said "when she came into my shop near Westlako park to purchase dresses for her little girl. Mrs. Peete said she and Mrs. Gregory were looking for a house, and asked my assistance, Later she came in my shop and hap pily told me she had found a place Quite often she visited me. as she said she had grown fond of me. "I had met her only in a. business way until on July 2 she called me on the telephone and abruptly asked me If my husband drove a car. I told her my friend. Mrs. Woods, was com ing over and that Mrs. Woods would lend her any assistance with the car. Her explanation was that Mr. Denton, whom I have never seen, had gone away and had left the car fo- her to use. Mrs. Peete could drive it, but could not back it out of the garage. In answer to her questions I informed her that Mrs. Woods was all right, and so Mrs. Woods and my husband any myself went to her house. Stay at Honse Is Related. That evening she asked us If we " would not- remain in the house with her during the night. She said Mrs. Gregory had gone back east and that she and her little girl were alone and that she feared to remain alone in the big house. We stayed that night and remained with her the following day, which was Sunday. "After a drive In the afternoon she asked us to remain again that night in the house with her, which we did. During our stay with her she told us that Denton, whom she said she rented the house from, seemed to be in some kind of trouble. , "She also told us of the quarrel be tween Denton and the Spanish woman and the wound which he had evidently received In a quarrel. At no time had she told me she" had seen Denton with his right arm missing. "She also told us of trouble that had existed between Denton and cer tain relatives of his and on the morn ing of July 4, two women came to the house inquiring for Mr. Denton." DENVER, Colo.. Sept. 24. Mrs. R. C. Peete, who occupied for two months the Los Angeles house where the body of Jacob Charles Denton was tauai J eaL&rdiij Eud today she would start for Los Angeies tomorrow, to tell the authorities all she knows about Denton and the house. She said she rented the house May 24 and remained there until August 17, when she came to this city, where her husband and little daughter were stay in;;. June 6, Mrs. Peete said, she re ceived a mysterious telephone warn irg to remain out of the cellar. She raid that she saw little of Denton while living in his house. "He occupied a room in the house but seldom was there. On June 2 he agreed to give, me power of attorney tr. sell his house. He failed to ap pear on that day, but I received a message saying he had been injured r an accident. "Four days later I saw him in an automobile with four other men. His arm was bandaged. A few days later I saw a man enter the house whom I thought was Denton. He had a patch over his eye and another on his left cheek. "When he did not return I insti tuted a search for him. We found his will, which left most of the property to his daughter, who lives in Phoenix, Ariz. Then I got the mysterious tele phone call. I believe that it was in a little room off the basement that Denton's body was found. That room was never opened while I was in the house," Mrs. Peete said today. Mrs. Peete said Denton was friendly with a Spanish woman who called at the house twice while she was there. It was the voice of this woman, Mrs. Peete declared she was confident, who gave her warning oyer the tele phone to stay out of the basement. EXTRADITIDnl E FOR BARRETT ASKED Mrs. Spreckels' Solicitors Issue Instructions. BER900LL TESTIMONY IN COURT 1IEARIXG DRAFT EVA SION" CASE ADJOURAS. NEW "YORK TRIP GIVEN UP Youth Xow Serving Term In Fed eral Prison Tells of Flight to Escape Service. PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 24. All tes timony was in today when court ad journed until Monday in the trial of Mrs. Km ma Bergdoll, Charles A. Braun, her son; James E. Romig, a former magistrate; Albert S. Mitchell, automobilo salesman, and Harry Schuh, charged with conspiracy to aid Grover and ISrwin Bergdoll to evade the draft. At that time counsel will make the'r final pleas to the Jury. Krwin Bergdoll, who is serving : four-year sentence in Fort Leaven worth, took the stand today In an ef fort to secure the acquittal of the de- I fendants. Erwin wore the brown denim uni form of an army prisoner and two armed guards stood beside him while he testified. He denied that anyone had aided hinr in his flight. "No one induced me to run off." he declared. While the United States was at war with tlermany. Erwin testified he and Grover fished many days near Hagorstown. Md. Under instruction he detailed his flight across the country, part of the time with his brother Grover. also a con victed draft evader, ""who recently escaped from army guards In Phila delphia and now is a fugitive. He also told how he had spent long stretches at his home at Broomall, Delaware county, sleeping in a barn to oil raiders who might appear at the house. Following the escape of Grover on May 21. Erwin said, he had remained vay from his home until ho decided to surrender last July 20. The federal agents, -he said, not only were visible to him as they raided his home and that of his brother, Charles Eraun, which ad- jrins, but they also went through the Darn without-finding him. The raid on his home, the witness said, was on the morning of January . the same day that his brother Grover was captured at his mother's suburban residence. Warrant Charging Theft of Xeck lace Valued at $1-6,500 Issued September 17. LONDON'. Sept. 24. Solicitors rep resenting Mrs. John Spreckels Jr., of California have instructed the police to inaugurate extradition proceedings for William Barrett, an American, who is reported to be under surveil lance of the police of Los Angeles. A warrant charging Barrett with the theft of a pearl necklace valued at $16,500 was -issued on the applica tion of Mrs. Spreckels in the Marl borough police court September 17. Mrs. Spreckels has canceled her passage for New York and will await the return of her husband from Norway. Her secretary said today Mrs. Spreckels had known Barrett for sev eral years and she met him some months ago at the Sandowu race course and that he offered to Intro duce her to his friends. The secre tary declared Mrs. Spreckels gave Barrett her necklace to take to her jeweler to be cleaned and re-strung. Barrett subsequently avoided discus sion of the necklace and eventually left London. Later Mrs. Spreckels inaugurated proceedings which re sulted in the issuance of the police .court warrant. BARRET DECLARES IXXOCEXCE Accused Man Calls at Office of Los Angeles District Attorney. LOS ANGELES, Cal.. Sep. 2 4. Wil liam Barrett, for whose arrest a war rant was reported to have been issued in London in connection with the theft of a necklace from Airs. John Spreckels Jr., visited the1 district at orney's office here Wednesday and esterday. He was said to have told the police he matter was "all a mistake," add- ng, there is nothing criminal In mv connections with Mrs. Spreckels and er Jewels and as soon as my London solicitor can investigate and tele graph I amsure that 1 Will be cleared implication. Rue de la Paix Candies for That Girl Who Appreciates Quality Street Floor "Merchandise of cJ Merit Only' jTA V'" A it'. UVfc- And of Course YOU Will Come and SAVE Today on Your Choice of an Unequalled Showing of Finer In O Suits ur Sale for Men and Young Men, at m- 1. - - - T ---7-.'. t ,000,009 SHRINE BEGUN CORNERSTONE IS LAID AT NA TIONAL CAPITAL. DAIRYMEN MAY STRIKE PRODUCERS DEMAND ADVANCE IN SEATTLE PRICE. Association Says Supply Will Co to .Another Market if Increase Is Not Allowed. SEATTLE, Wash., Sept. 24. (Spe cial.) Dairy farmers who eupply Se attle with milk are today threatening a strike. Unless Seattle milk distrib utors on or before October 1 meet their demand for an Increase of 50 cents per 100 pounds in the price of milk delivered in the city, dairy farm' ers assert they will find another mar kct for their product. The consumer pays 15 cents a quart, and if the producers demands are granted the price will be 16 cents. This, in effect, was the declaration made by Homer Detrick of Seattle secretary of the United Dairy asso ciation, an organization representing a large majority of the white dairy farmers of King. Pierce and Sno- nomisn counties, who at present are producing the greater part of the milk Seattle consumes. Mr. Detrick's declaration was made following the announcement that i meeting between committees repre senting the United Dairy association and the faeattle retail milk dealers' association had resulted In the break ing off of peace negotiations that had been in progress for several days. The price committee of the dairy association will hold a meeting In Seattle tomorrow to discuss the sit uation. Mr. Detrick said, but he held out no hope that the meeting would result in a resumption of peace nego tiations. The United Dairy association's' proposed -new price is $4.17 per 100 pounds for milk delivered in the citv. The present price is $3.65. The price Increase, milk distributors were not! fied, will hecome effective October L BIG SPRUCE' TRACT SOLD Paper Company Pays $213,500 for 2 100 Acres of Land. ASTORIA, Or.. Sept. 24. (Special. By deed filod today the Crown W'illamett Paper company purchased approximately 2100 acres of sprue timber land in Clatsop county from H. E. Noble of Portland, the considera tion being $213,500. The tract i! part of eight sections located a short distance below Seaside and lies be tween the Necanicum river and Tilla mook head. A few weeks ago the same company purcnasea several thousand acres o timber adjoining this tract from th Hammond Lumber company. Inn Owner Seeks Damages. "Water dropping througfl the side walk over the China inn is cited by M. T. Goon, proprietor of the cafe as his cause for a damage suit $700-0 against John F. Risley, Alice Risley and other owners of the Broad way Duuaing. ine complaint was filed yesterday and tells of patron leaving the China inn when rai leaked through on the tables owin to improper care given the sidewalk. Cardinal Gibbons and Other Cath olic Dignitaries Participate in Ceremonies. WASHINGTON, Sept. 24. The foun dation stone of the $5,000,000 shrine of the Immaculate Conception, which Is "being erected on the Catholic uni versity grounds here, and which is o be dedicated to the memory of the soldiers and sailors who lost their lives in the world war, was lrfld Thursday by Cardinal Gibbons of Baltimore, assisted by Cardinel O'Con- nell of Boston. Attending the ceremony were most of the archbishops and bishops of the Catholic church in the United States and hundreds' of other promi nent religious and government offi cials and diplomatic representatives of foreign nations. Bishop Shahan, rector of the Cath olic university, and Bishop John P. McNicholas of Duluth delivered the addresses. Bishop Shahan announced that Pope Benedict XV had sent the papal benediction to all those participating in the service today, and that the pope was making a- gift, the first of its kind ever to come to America, of . life-size Mosaic copy of Murillo's Immaculate Conception," which will be placed when the shrine is completed. COUPLE BELIEVED LOST MAN AND WIFE MAY BE WITH OUT PROVISIONS.. t 9 -9 - I i Sir 1 vS-ShSl SMI 11 Miff pi ' 1 Stein-Bloch Suits Also LangHam ancl Others of the Very Highest Grade All New Styles All New Patterns Every Suit All Wool TWEEDS, cassimeres, unfinished worsteds and navy serge r for men of every build arid taste. Each, of these suits is finer and more beautiful than the other, so you will find great opportunities right up to the close of the sale tonight, but, remember, you can save Today Only, for die Last Time, at the Lowest Price Fifth Floor Lipman, Wolfe Gr Co, Jesse Tnck and Mate Not Heard From Since Going to Moun tains 3 Weoks Ago. BEND, Or., Sept. 14. (Special.) Fear that Mr. and Mrs. Jessie 3. Tuck of Remond may be lost, without pro visions. In the Grizzly basin country at the foot of Mount Jefferson, prompted the departure of a large search party which left Sisters this morning. No news from the missing couple Das been received for the past three weeks, and In view of the storms which have occurred recently in the higher altitudes, considerable appre hension is felt for the safety of the campers.- Mr. and Mrs. Tuck, is was learned. iexc bisters wim live norses for tirlz zly basin, 30 miles away, shortly after the first of the month, making no mention, as far as has been learned, of the length of time they intended to remain. Nothing was thought of their long aUsence until Indians reported that they had reason to believe that the horses had been lost. Globe Underwear 70RN by men of taste and discrimination- V V men who possess to the fullest that fine sense which imDels them to wear clothinc in which thev can feel and look their best always. Seldom will you find underwear made with such great care; never will you find garments containing as many quality and comfort features at such moderate prices. We are listing a few. Ve are principal Portland agents for this famous brand of underwear. Drop in today and out fit yourself. ' Mens Shop, Just Inside Washinglon-Streel Entrance Lipman, Wolfe & Co. ! OH ,Mmj0,,0,BoB.0s()Iso.aa-Q- For Specialized Mail-Order Service, Address Our Personal Service Bureau om-n-mam'O'o.omo-mam.o-mm-i.'a the agreement .s in the hands of the navy department, me seizures i continuing, the company said. A statement from headquarters oi the 12th naval district her- today that "it was understood that the Shell Oil company had a contract to supply oil to the Japanese navy was men with the reply that the company had no direct contract, but that it cid not know to what Interests eome of he oil was disposed of after export. "A great deal of it goes to bunker 4merlcan shipping board vessels In the far east," Lewin said. The navy department said that no effort had been made to seize any plant of the Shell company, but Lewln said he feared that if the con troversy continued the plants m'ght be taken over by the government. The navy supply ship Kanawha was at Martinez today watting for a sup ply of 35,000 barrels from the Shell company, navy officials said. The oil was wanted for d-.troyers and other vessels at San Pedro. "We cannot give the navy the 35, 000 barrels it demands," Lewin said, "because we simply have not got it." Committeemen's Meeting Called. VANCOUVER. Wash., Sept. 24. flM OIL DEMAND MET MANAGER ADMITS HE CANNOT FIGHT GOVERNMENT. Announcement Follows Reported Seizures by Naval Authorities at Martinez, Cal., Plant. SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 24. An nouncement that it had met trie navy price of ft a barrel for fuel oil. "in order to prevent the seizure of our plants," was made by the executive office of the Shell Oil company here today. The open market price of Shell oil is $2.35. "We give up. We can't flight the government," Robert A. Lewln. vice president and general manager of the company, said. . The announcement "followed selsures by the navy from the company's plant at Martinez extending over two weeks' . time, . Despite tbe fact IliaJ. On Saturday Only i S1 I Is will buy FOUR pieces of ij the latest popular music I Other Music, 3 copies 35c a Seventh Floor. I I SlrnnanWaffe d (?o. c Merchandise of e Merit Onb" (Special.) A meeting of all precinct committeemen in Clarke county, re publicans, has been called by P. J. Kirwin, chairman of the republican county central committee. The meet ing is to be held at 2 o'clock tomor row, September 25, in the county court house to select a chairman, state committeemen and complete the county organization, .and plan for the campaign for the general election to be held November 2. Road Bonds to Be Sold. SALEM, Or., Sept. 24. (Special.) Oreg-on state highway bonds in the sum of 12.000,000 will be sold at a meeting of the state highway com mission to be held In Portland next Tuesday. These bonds have been printed and signed by the governor, secretary of state and state treasurer and will be ready for delivery as soon as they are formally sold. . Insurance Commissioner Home. SALEM. Or, Sept. 24. (Special.) A. S. Barber, state Insurance com missioner, returned iere today from San Francisco and other California points where he passed the last two weeks. While in the south. 'Mr. Bar hr passed a couple of days at Sacra- AT BURNS' SATURDAY AND MONDAY 1 F CRISCO HAS ADVANCED 9-lb. tins, (!9 oq each .p,Oi7 6-lb. tins, each $1.64 CANNED FRUIT (Slightly Damaged in Shipment) Contents Guaranteed No. 2!2 tins Peaches, each 29c, per dozen. . . .$3.10 No. 2'2 tins Apricots, each 28c, per dozen 2.95 mento conferring with the state In surance commissioner of California. Portland Man Is Commissioned. OREGON! AN lEWS BUREAU, Washington, Sept. 24. "Wilsdn Ste wart Zimmerman, 748 Weldler street. Portland. Or., has been commissioned a second lieutenant in the infantry, regular army. Cornelius Aloyeiu3 Maher, St. Mary's hospital, Astoria, has been commissioned a chaplaiQ with rank of first lieutenant. Quarts, per doz. BALL 1NIASON FRUIT JARS OO Pints, OOV per doz 82c SmallWhite Beans, f- 20 lbs. for P 1 Highest Quality BUTTER, lb... 72c Strictly Fresh EGGS, doz.... Cheap RICE) 5 lbs 40c 4 Uutemt Kinds of I.aumdry 4 Different Prices . EAST 494 Jl NO COFPKi:, per lb. pontage paid 454 ROSK OF CSYLOX TEA, lb SO HKRSHKV'S COCOA, lb '38C D. C. BURNS COMPANY 208-210 THIRD ST., BETWEEN TAYLOR AND SALMON Special Mall Order Service Write for Monthly Price L.lt Wholesaler!) to Private Families, Hotel and ltcmaurtuita l'huaea ; Mnn, OXU. 510.28. Train Service Portland to Eugene Sunday, September 26 Account Opening University of Oregon Train 27 Extended to Eugene L Arrives Eug-ene 9:10 P. M. Leaves Portland Union Station 1 4:35 P. M. Leaves Portland East Mor. St 4:43 P. M. Special Coaches for the Accommodation of University Students. Other Trains Leave Portland Union Station: 1:00 A. M., 8:00 A. M., 9:30 A. M., 1:45 P. M., 8:00 P. M. Leave East Morrison Street: 8:08 A. M., 9:38 A. M., 1:53 P. M., 8:08 P. M. Arrive Eugrene: 5:48 A. M., 12:50 P. M., 1:50 P. M., 6:55 P. M., 12:22 A. M. Standard Sleeping: Cars to Eugene from Portland in Train 53 at 1:00 A. M. Cars open for occupancy at 9:30 P. M. Inquire of locay agent for further particulars. Southern Pacific Lines John M. Scott, General Passenger Agent.