Iff
THE MORNING OREGONIAN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2G, 1903.
KILLS JB HIE
Frank DeFalco Beats Her
to Death With Ax.
THEN ATTEMPTS SUICIDE
was the cause of all the trouble. Since
their marriage, nearly 30 years ago, 13
children have been bom. evcn of whom
.1 1 .....If,. .V .9 t r U V U UIUL
muiucr ui buui u muni nuuiu nut ue
apt to form frivolous attachments at this
late date.
Peter Parent, commonly known about
Portland as the 'canary bird man,' Is said
by De Falco to be the' cause of the
Jealousy. Parent In a familiar figure
about the streets, and has a number of
birds that are trained to tell fortunes.
When seen last night he refused to talk
concerning the affair.
"De Falco told me that he was Jealous
of his wife several days ago." said Mr.
Schemer, who has known the family since
they came to Portland. 12 years ago. "I
made fun of blm and told him that It was
all foolishness. I did not think anything
of the matter after that until he had com
mitted the crime."
Among the neighbors It Is generally
thought that the man's mind had been
falling for some time. He is a habitual
drunkard, and has been drinking even
harder of late than usual. Several weeks
ago at an Italian dance ho became very
angry because a young man bought a
drink for his wife. Later the canary bird
man came to live at the same house, and
from the start De Falco seemed to Imag
ine that his wife's affections were divided.
"I saw Pete (meaning the canary bird
man) trying to klw my wife," said the
murderer to ex-Dctectlve John Cordano.
"When I went home today he was In the
house. I caw him, and he ran out the
back way." Although the neighbors are
disposed to question this statement, the
murderer holds firmly to his assertion.
"Are you sure Pete was In the house?"
asked a reporter later, and the prisoner
averted emphatically that he could not be
mistaken.
Itnlinns Are Iinrnitpil.
The Italians are highly wrought up over
the murder, and say they do not enter-
' tnln nmi. ntf fnc T V.Im T
After beating his wife to death with an VhteWr rtted T.nd
ax yesterday afternoon. Frank De Falco. nn(j nj.ed a family of which she was
an Italian, aged 54, tried to take his own Justly proud. Two of the girls were dress-
Murderer Is Captured Trying
to Leap off Bridge,
HIS MOTIVE WAS JEALOUSY
Jsnornnt Itnllnn Iinnlnrn Ills "Wife
Loved Another, itnd Commit Crime
Willie lit n Prenxr Seven Chll
drcn Left Motlicrlens.
FRAX1C DE FALCO, WHOSE MURDER OF HIS "WIFE LEAVES
SEVEX CHILDREN MOTHERLESS.
life by Jumping from the Fourth-street
bridge in the Marquam Gulch. 100 feet
below. That he lives to bear the punish
ment for his crime Is due to II. J. Scher
ner, who seized him by the coat as he
was about to make the fatal leap and
held him until assistance could be sum
moned. The prisoner does not attempt
to deny that he killed his wife, and says
that he did It because he was Jealous of
another man. Left motherless by his deed
are seven children, from G to 26 years of
age. Their mother was. dead when they,
found her in the house, -and or the father
they can see no future but the gallows.
The deed committed yesterday by De
Falco is one of the most brutal In the his
tory of Portland. So far as Is known, no
one-witnessed it, but evidence indicates
that the husband struck down his wife
as she was sitting by a table sewing.
From the position of her body it seems
that she was given no warning until the
fatal blow felL The weapon used was a
heavy hatchet with a handle about 18
Inches long. Not content with "striking
a blow which instantly knocked the life'
from his helpless victim, the Infuriated
murderer continued to beat her over the
beat! Until her scalp was covered with
wounds and the bones of her skull broken
Into splinters. Her neck and arms were
also badly cut up- where the blows had
fallen wide of their mark.
"Wanted to End III 0m Life.
As soon as he made sure that his vic
tim was dead, De Falco rushed out of his
house, which Is at the end of Fifth
street, and running out on the high rail
road trestle across Marquam Gulch, at
tempted to Jump oft. He was scream
ing wildly all of the time, and the. at
tention of H. J. Schemer, who' lives at
CO Fourth street, was attracted. Schemer
thought the man on the bridge was crazy,
and he wished to save his life.
"Walt a minute." he shouted to De.j
xutui kwiuw ue una jiuuwn lur years. 1
have something I want to tell you." De
splte'ilr. Schemer's emotion at the sight
of a fellow-man about to end his own
life, he maintained a sincere tone and
insisted upon delivering the message be
fore the leap to death was made.
"I've heard some good news," he said, t
as he came closer, and was careful to af- j
feet a pleasant smile. . I
De.Falco meanwhile was standing on a !
board wiucn projects over the side of the
trestle, preparing to Jump at the slight
est effort made to rescue him. No sooner
had his rescuer spoken the last words
than he seized the would-be suicide by j
the coat. With a wild yell the Italian!
murderer sprang Into the air, but Scher
ner's hold was firm.
"Let mo die, let me die," yelled the
frantic man. as he straggled to free him
self, but his rescuer held him suspended
over the railing until assistance could
arrive. Policemen .Roberts and Caswell
eoon arrlred on the scene and took charge
of De Falco, thinking that he was crazy.
In the meanwhile the neighbors had
discovered the mangled body of Mrs. Te
resa De Falco lying In the. house,
and hurriedly sent word to the policemen
that their prisoner was a murderer. Lit
tle Julia Larorlta was the first to dis
cover the dead body after Jt had been -left,
and it was not moved until Coroner" Fin
ley arrived and took the case in charge.
Slotive Wa Jealousy.
Jealousy was the cause of the crime,
but the neighbors say that the husband's
Imagination and not the wife's actions
makers and "had a shop in Portland for
some time. The mother had always In
sisted upon giving the children an edu
cation, and had worked hard all of her life
with this end in view. The younger ones
were at school at the time the murder oc
curred. Among the Italians Mrs. De Falco
was held In high esteem and was regard
ed as a leader. -Her education and her
understanding of the English language
made her advice valuable to those who
were not so well equipped. The husband,
on the other hand, is a very Illiterate man.
He can hardly understand the English
language, although he has been in'Port
land for 12 years. "When he Is drinking he
la said to be very rough with his family.
Had Xo Reason for Jealousy.
Pasco De Falco, the oldest girl at home.
Insists that her father had no reason for
being Jealous of her mother.
"Heavy drink," said she to a reporter,
"is what brought my father to this. He
has been very quarrelsome of late. Al
though he never has much to say when
any-one Is around, he was very abusive
when, he was alone with my mother.
Often after I have gone to bed at night I
have heard him quarreling with her until
late. He always makes up. and says that
he will not quarrel any more, but at the
first opportunity he is at It again."
TRADE WITHARGENTINA..
Engineer Corthcll Urser the Advan
tages of Reciprocity.
"Two years in Argentina as the Con
sulting Engineer of National Public
Works," was the title of a lecture de
livered last night by Dr. Elmer G. Cor
thell, the eminent civil engineer, at the
Board of Trade rooms. He explained that
he was in Portland, not as a professional
lecturer, "but as a special agent of the
Argentine government to try to foster bet
ter trade relations between this country
and Argentina. He rapidly sketched the
map of South America, told of the La
Plata River, which In ancient times had
a maximum discharge of 4,000.000 cubic
feet per second, portrayed the more Im
portant South American revolutions grow
ing into the birth of nations, referring
especially to the development of Argen
tina. "The population of that country is now
about 5.000,000." he went on. "Its pres
ent rate of growth per decade is about
40 per cent, that of the United States be
ing 20 per cent, and Germany H per cent.
The Province or State of Buenos Ayres
Is as large as Illinois, Indiana, Maryland,
Connecticut and Massachusetts combined.
It has 1,200,000 people." 10,000,000 cattle, 80.
000,000 sheep and 2.200,000 horses. In 1901
It raised 7(2.000 tons of wheat and L300.
271 tons of com. In the whole republic
there are over 30,000.000 head of cattle.
One of the .Important industries of the
country is the 'saladeros,' which Is salted
or Jerked beef and extract of beef, etc.
Nearly t40.000.000 is Invested In this In
dustry. Brazil Is the principal market
"Argentina Is a protectionist country,
and its resources for conducting the gov
ernment are largely .rated from customs
dues. The United States imports $300,000,
000 per annum of sugar, hides. Unseed,
hemp, Jute, wood and fruit., and $35,000,
000 of wool and woolen goods. All .these
are produced by" Argentina yearly, yet
only $6,000,000 of the t336.O00.CO cornea
from Argentina, or 2 per cent. Recip
rocal trade would open the United "Etates
...Meier Frank Company...
New Laces and Dress Trimmings A remarkable assortment.
New Dress Fabrics London Twine, Wire Cloth, Albatross, dozen others.
The Wash Fabric Display is the most generous we have ever supplied.
...Meier Frank Company...
Japanese Linen for Shirtwaists, 36 inches wide, 85c yard, fine as silk.
Whjte India and China Silks are popular for Shirtwaists.
Plain, dotted and figured Pongees in splendid variety All prices.
Received by express late yesterday afternoon, an immense shipment of new Spring Neckwear Ready this morning.
Annual Distribution of Footwear
The Great Annual Spring Distribution of Shoes for men, women and
children is the store event for the next ten days. It's the fifth in line,
and each year we have aimed to make it broader in its scope, of greater
benefit in the matter of littleness of prices without reducing qualities.
Special priced lines for next ten days' trading include practically every
thing in desirable footwear. The best makers in the land are well rep
resented by hundreds of pairs of their very best styles. The reason for
this sale is to make room for the thousands of pairs of new Spring
goods arriving daily. We've made price concessions that will draw
great throngs of economical folk. Don't put off coming until the last
day of the sale and expect to find the best "plums." Values like we
offer today don't last forever. Sale starts at 9 this morning.
$3, $5 Shoes $1.50 pr .
650 pairs Ladies' Dongola Lace and Button Shoes All
sizes and widths, $3.00 values at $1.50 a pair.
250 pairs of Ladies' Fine Shoes in various styles, sizes
2i to 5, widths AA to B, regular $3.00 to $5.00 values, while
they last $1.50 pair.
Ladies' Shoes
Note the Great Bargains
$3.00
$3.00
$3.25
$3.75
$4.00
$4.50
PAIR For l'S pairs of $5.00 Velour Calf Shoes
for women, high top, good line of sizes, remark
able value at $3.00 pair.
PAIR For 75 pairs of women's $5.00 Shoes in
black box calf or vicol tan, heavy sole, all sizes,
great value at $3.00 pair.
PAIR For 30 pairs of ladies' $5.00 Shoes in
mirror calf, lace style, great value at $3.25 pair.
PAIR For 15 pairs of women's $6.00 Shoes,
patent calf, Louis heel remember, only IS pairs,
$6.00 value, $3.75 pair.
PAIR For 15 pairs of women's Patent Leather
Lace Shoes, heavy sole, the regular $6.00 styles,
at $4.00 pair.
PAIR For 20- pairs of Norman & Bennett's
high-top Tan Boots, very best made, regular
$6.00 styles at $4.50 pair.
Men's Shoes $2.15 Pair
300 pairs of men's black and tan Shoes, broken lots, reg
ular $3.50 to $5.00 values, while they last $2.15 pair.
75 pairs of men's medium heavy Shoes, high tops, sizes
6 and 6J, 10-to 11, regular $3.50 and $4.00 values, to clean up
at $2.15 pair.
Slippers
Slip-
Entire stock of Men5!
pers at these reductions:
$5.00 Slippers for $3.65 a pair
$4.00 Slippers for $3.25 a pair
$3.00 Slippers for $2.25 a pair
$2.00 Slippers for $1.60 a pair
Slippers
Indies' Slippers greatly reduced
$5.00 Patent Leathers $3.60
$5.00 Patent Leather and
Kid Colonials at $3.25
$3.00 to $4.00 Fancy Slip
pers $1.60. Odd lot.
Best $3.50 Shoes $2.45 Pr.
400 pairs ladies' welt Shoes, newest goods, very latest styles, pat
ent colt, dull top, patent colt, kid top, all sizes and widths, an excep
tionally rare bargain at $2.45 a pair.
40 pairs of ladies' Kid Lace Shoes, $3.50 and $4.00 val
y ues, in good sizes, while they last, pair- .t
Boys' and Girls' Shoes
80 pairs of Misses' $2.50 high-cut Shoes at $1.50 pair
46 pairs of Misses' $2.00 high-cut Shoes at $ 1 .35 pair
IOO pairs of Misses' $2.50 welts, patent tip at $1.65 pair
35 pairs of Misses' $2.50 welts, narrow sizes at .. . $1.25 pair
72 pairs of Misses' $2.25 Patent Kid Lace Shoes - - $ 1 .25 pair
30 pairs of Misses' $3.00 Pat. Leather Button Shoes $ 1 .75 pair
65 pairs of Misses' $2.50 Lace Shoes at .-...$ 1 .60 pair
Sizes 1 iy2 to 2
50 pairs of Children's Lace Shoes, 8 Ho 1 1, $2 val. $1.40 pair
1 50 pairs of Children's $2.00 Lace Shoes, 8 Ho 1 1 at $ 1 .40 pair
200 pairs of $1.50 Fancy Lace Shoes, sizes 5 to 8 at $ 1.10 pair
Boys' and Youths' Shoes
200 pairs boys' Shoes, various styles, vici kid, f gf
box calf and enamel, all new, heavy soles, best 2K W J
$3.50 values at, per pair f w w
All our boys $3.00 Shoes for this sale $2.35 pair
All our boys' $2.50 and $2.75 Shoes for this sale. ..,$2.10 pair
300 pairs of boys' Shoes at $1.55 pair
$ PAIR For 600 pairs of little gents' Shoes, vici
I -J kid, box calf, satin calf, kangaroo calf, heavy or
light soles, all sizes, best makes, this sale $1.20
Sporting and Outing Shoes
Norman &. Bennett's famous make at special prices.
Ladies' N. & B. Gym. Oxfords, elk or buck sole $ 1 .85 pair
Men's N. & B. 10-in. top Shoes in tan, $7.00 values. . .$5.75 pair
Men's N. &. B. tan golf bals., $5.00 values $3.50 pah
Men's N. &. B. tan golf Oxfords, $5.00 values $3.50 pan
Men's $5.00 Riding Leggins in tan $3.25 pai
Ladies N. & B. Nurses' Shoes and Oxfords. . $2.20, $2.45 pai,i
Men's Top Coats
$6.58, $8.98
Two great values in men's Spring Over
coats for today, tomorrow and Saturday
Best styles and materials, unusual value.
Men's Tan Covert Topcoat, neatly made,
best trimmings, correct style, special for 3 days
$6.58 Each
Men's Gray Cheviot Spring-weight Over
coat, very best style, desirable material
$8.98 Each
696th Friday Surprise Sale
Tomorrow the 696th Friday Surpise Sale A great offering of
300 Bed Spreads at one-third less than regular value Half the lot
are white spreads of full size and fringed The other half are colored
spreads, blue, pink and blue, also fringed Best patterns and qual
ity Not one in the lot worth less than $1.75 Your choice tomorrow
$1.30 Each
See Fifth Street Window Display.
New Laces of every description Very large variety.
New Dress Trimmings Drop in all styles and sizes.
New White Dress Materials Hopsacking, Wirecloth, etc.
The great Kitchen Goods Sale continues through this week Housekeepers take note.
Last three days of the Homefurnishing Goods Sale Surprising values in all lines.
Meier & Frank Company J Meier & Frank Company
Meier & Frank Company
Meier &. Frank Company
Meier &. Frank Company
N
to Argentina 'wool and treble the produc
tion In a few years."
Dr. Corthell "talked about too home and
business life of the people of Argentina,
and in closing said: "During two years
of close relation with the people of Ar
gentina and especially with government
officials. I have formed a favorable idea
of the people and of the possibilities of
business and profitable enterprise for our
own people there. The high government
officials and the leading men of the coun
try desire to have the, "Norte Americanos
as we are called, com'o to Argentina, with
their business energy, ability, and capi
tal, to help build up and move forward
to Its high destiny that great country of
South America, so like our own in Its. cli
mate, soil, rivers, coast line, and other
general feature."
Trut President Arrested.
AS BURY Park. N. J. Feb. , 25,-Presl-dent
Twining and Treasurer .Cornell, of
he failed Monmouth Trust Company,
were arrested, here today. The officials
are accused of falsifying the reports of
the conditions of the trust company, the
charges being made by Bank Examiner
Vredesburg. Prosecutor Foster hat k
conference with Judge Helpley. and It was
decided to place Twining under J30OO ball
and Cornell under J1000 ball. There are
three charges against President Twining
and two against Treasurer Cornell. After
some delay Twining secured Ave bonds
men, and he waa released on 000 ball.
DESERT THEIR HOMES.
Knlnmn Man Elope With a Married
Woman.
Two homes, one In which six children
are left fatherless, and In the other four
children are left motherless, were broken
up by the elopement of Wilson R. Hepler
and Mrs. Woodard. from near Kalama,
Cowlitz County, Wash. Sheriff Hunting
ton, of Cowlitz County, was in Portland
yesterday, and Is hot on the trail of the
fugitives. They came- from "Kalama to
Portland, but before they were found by
the officers .left for Tacoma. The Tacoma
police have- been notified to stop them,
and Sheriff Huntington will start for Ta
coma at once.
This elopement of two married people
.has caused a' small sensation In Cowlitz
County. Hepler Is 26 years old. and has
six children, while Airs. Woodard is the
mother of four children that she Is willing
to leave In the care of her husband. Hep
ler is a shlngleweaver. Mrs. Woodard's
husband is a well-known farmer near
Kalama. and Mrs. Woodard has been held
in high esteem in the neighborhood.
The two elopers became acquainted last
Winter. Hepler come to the Woodard
house frequently, but people are hospit
able In the community, and nothing was
thought of the visits, Although no one
suspected It from their actions, the two
formed an attachment for each other and
planned to leave their families. Last
Monday was the time set, and instead of
taking a boat at Kalama they went to a
small landing further down the river. On
the boat they came" to Portland and
stayed a day, but. knowing that they
would be followed, did not tarry for any
length of time.
Sheriff Huntington, hearing they had
come to Portland, hurried after them, but
was too late. He arrived yesterday morn
ing, but his birds, had flown. By making
inquiries at the depot, be found that a
trunk, on which was the name of Wilson
R. Hepler, had been sent on to Tacoma;
W. G. SMITH & CO.
Third Floor Washington Building,
Are the Leading
Wedding and Visiting Card Engravers
' AND STATIONERS
Imnilfcrnnta I'ourlnc In.
NEW YORK, Feb. 25. The Immigration
officials report today that .their books ;
show yesterday (Tuesday) to have been '
' one of the busiest days Hills Island baa
known in some time. Owing to the holl-
day Monday following on the heels of -Sunday!
.there was an unusually large
number of steerage passengers arriving I
' in port who had to be taken care of at J
the island. Six ships arrived Monday,
bringing altogether 37S7 steerage passen
gers. They were not landed until yes
terday.
Tc Care n Cold In One Day
Take Laxative Bromo-vlulnino Tablet. Tito
lxnature JL en tvery box. 25a.