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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (July 22, 1914)
TTTR MORXTXG OREGONTAIT, WFDXESDAT, JTJTjT 22. 1914. STRYCHNINE KILLED DAWSON IS VERDICT Coroner's Jury Recommends Widow Be Held for Fur ther Investigation. DAUGHTER TAKES STAND day. Ewin's body was taken to Fin ley's chapeL BONFIRES ARE UNDER BAN Chief Donell Takes Precaution as Result of Brush Flames. Because of the fire danger due to the dry condition of the woods and unkept tracts of land, no bonfire per mits are to be granted In the outskirts of the city or in South Portland on the West Side until the city is visited by a shower. Fire Chief Dowell de cided upon this yesterday as a result of a series of fires originating in small fires built In South Portland In the last few days. With the wind blowing and grass and other Inflammable materials as dry H. H. EMMONS HURT Women Rescue Portland Law yer From Beneath Auto. INJURY MAY BE FATAL lonie-tii Mrife Over Child Is Ex posed and Mrs. Dawson Tells of Little Trick to Get Her Hus band's Attentions. lira. Johannah Dawson will be held for further investigation Into the death of her husband, George S. Dawson, by strychnine poisoning. This was the verdict of the Coroner's Jury just be fore midnight, after spending 10 hours hearing the evidence In the case. "George S. Dawson came to his death by means of strychnine poisoning, ad ministered or taken In some manner unknown. The Jury recommends that Mrs. Johannah Dawson be held for further investigation by the authori ties," read the verdict. Deputy District Attorney Ryan said last night that probably he would sub mit the case to the grand Jury. For three hours Mrs. Dawson was on the stand. She testified willingly. talked-freely and did not once falter. For two hours Mr. Ryan questioned her, but in many instances she man aged to evade definite statements. . Witness Consplennas i kurc. Dressed in black, her sharp eyes peering from beneath a black veil. Mrs. Dawson was a conspicuous figure in the hearing. While others were testi fying she leaned forward In her chair, eager to catch every word. She dis played no sign ( nervousness and smiled at many of the questions. On the stand she talked rapidly and Inces santly. Littl e additional evidence was brought out at the Inquest. There was a total absence of malice or words of blame from any of the witnesses. Most of them were rela-1 tlves or neighbors and members of the name church. None of them could be led Into a statement which might Im plicate or cast strong suspicion on any one else. "Higher Power" Felt. Even now," said Mrs. Dawson on the stand. "I can't believe there was any strychnine in George's stomach A higher power seems to tell me it Isn't so." "Lot us assume," said the attorney. "that a man and a woman are alone In a house. They have breakfast, and a few minutes afterward the man dies of strychnine poisoning. One or the other must have administered the poi on. Isn't that so?" "You'll have to assume yourself." re plied Mrs. Dawson. "I can't assume. I Just tell what I know." The Jury consisted of F. J. Yennke, B F. Baly. R. W. Chapman. R. N. Cal kins, W. B. Hanley and J. P. Hart. Dep uty Coroner J. J. Dunning conducted the Inquest Ruth Dawson, the 17-year-old daugh ter of the dead man. over whom the trouble between the Dawsons is alleged to have started, first was called to the stand. Until lately, she testified, mat ters had been fairly peaceful In the family. The morning before her father's death she quarreled w)th Mrs Dawson, she said. "She told me." testified the girl, "that I couldn't stay there that night and needn't come back to the house at all 1 went to Mrs. Dunbar's home, in Lents. A letter from Mr. Dawson to Ruth, In which allusion was made to the girl's dead mother, was introduced, and the girl was asked to read It to the Jury. This letter. Mrs. Dawson admitted later, was the immediate cause of her filing suit for divorce from Dawson two months ago. Married Dangkter Testlflea. Mrs. H. A. Dimmock, Dawson's mar ried daughter, was next on the stand "Father came to our house Tuesday night. July 14, and told me he had quarreled with mother. " she said. "Ha told me she had said 'If you don't leave here now, you never wllL "I said, 'Oh. Harry, do you think she would dare to do anything to him?' " replied Mrs. Dimmock. reluctantly. "That was the most natural thing for me to think of, after their quarrel the night before," she explained later. Dr. W. T. Stout, who was called to the Dawson home a few minutes before the man died, testified that the symp toms -. pre those of strychnine poison ing. He said he instructed Mrs. Daw son to save the food that was on the table for analysts. Frank Dawson read several letters written to him by his father, telling of trouble between Mr. and Mrs. Daw son. Mrs. Dawson Takes Stand. "I was not feeling well that morn ing." she said. In telling of the circum stances surrounding the death of her husband. "I got up and prepared his breakfast. He had three eggs, toast, cheese and two cups ot coffee. I poured myself a cup of coffee, but I can't re member whether or not I poured his first one- That's not exactly clear." She dwelt on this question until inter rupted by the District Attorney. "Did you have a disagreement with Mr. Dawson at the brei kfast table?" he aked. "No." she answered. "When he fin ished his breakfast I was lying on the ofa. I wasn't feeling well, and, be sides. I wanted him to think that be cause he wouldn't make Ruth go to work that I was going to leave him." "Why did you want him to think that" she was asked. "Oh. I wanted my husband to make over me a little, which I believe is a trick of womankind In general. "He kissed me several times before he left, for we had made up our quar rel the night before." continued Mrs. Dawson. "Then he came back again and said he was not reeling wen. rie aald. 'The coffee or something has made me 'sick.' I told him It was only a bilious attack, and to go on to work. He said he didn't believe he would go to work. 1 told him he would lose his Job If he didn't, and he said that didn't make much difference if I was going to leave him." A report from City Chemist Callo way, declaring there was no trace of strychnine In any ot the other food found In the house or In the coffee taken from the pot. was Introduced by Deputy District Attorney Ryan. : J ; i .1 , - -; : i,:. . : i Mm. JohaniHih Da who n leaving; tae Inqaent Over the Death of Her Husband. as tinder, it Is considered extremely unsafe to permit any fires. $800,000 IN GOLD IN PORT Year's Record Bullion Arrives Seattle From Alaska. in SEATTLE. Wash.. July 21. Eight hundred thousand dollars in gold bul lion, the largest consignment received from the North this year, waa brought from Nome, Alaska, by the steamship Victoria, which arrived today. The Victoria also had $75,000 worth of furs. For baby's comfort Santlseptlc Lotion. Adv. Touring Car Goes Over Embankment Near Goble, Or., Crushing Attor ney and Injuring Other Oc cupants of Machine. H. H. Emmons, a Portland attorney, was seriously, if not fatally injured, when a large touring car in which he was riding, plunged over a 20-foot em bankment, near Goble, Or., Monday, and pinned him on a log, part of the weight of the machine resting on his throat. Mr. Emmons nearly strangled and had It not been for the efforts of Miss Sarah J. Kanlnsky, Mrs. Emmons and Mrs. William Gregan. Mr. Emmons probably would have died of strangu lation. Attorney Emmons was called to Go ble Monday on business. He invited Mrs. Emmons, Miss Kanlnsky and Mrs. Gregan to accompany him in a livery automobile, of which A. Hall was the driver. About one-half mile out from Goble on the return trip, Mr. Hall com plained that the steering wheel was not working properly. A moment later the machine turned towards the out side of the elevated road and tumbled over the embankment, turning turtle. Women Quick to Keseue. The automobile struck on a log. Mr. Emmons was lying on his back on the log with the machine resting upon his chest and throat. The three women passengers freed themselves easily and crawled out from beneath the car Seeing the purple face of Mr. Emmons, they worked frantically to free him. Their efforts to raise or remove the car were of no avail. Then they dug into the lo about Emmons' throat and succeeded in tearing off pieces of the rotten log until some of the weight was removed from the attorney's throat. By these methods, Mrs. Emmons, Miss Kaninsky and Mrs. Gregan sue ceeded In removing the log and free ing Mr. Emmons and Mr. Hall. The latter was not seriously Injured and was sent to get help. Recovery Hope Slight. Mr. Hall returned with an automo bile party of rescuers headed by Sher iff Lake, of St. Helens, and In which was a physician. Mr. Emmons re ceived temporary assistance and was rushed in the machine to St. Vincent's Hospital, where surgeons worked over him until a late hour last night. Slight home for his recovery is held. Mr. Emmons sustained a fracture of two ribs, one of which punctured the lungs, and other minor injuries. The remainder of the party were bruised nd slightly injured. Mr. Emmons is 55 years old and has been practicing law In Portland for several years, with an office in the Board of Trade building. He resides at Boardman station. Miss Kanlnsky has been employed In Mr. Emmons' office. Sacrifice Sale of Men's Suits You'll find here the handiwork of some of the country's famous clothes-makers, including the Stein-Bloch and Atterbury Sys tem clothes for men, and the L System clothes for young men. Every suit is genuinely reduced from its normal price. It's the hey-day of opportunity for you men who would buy now. Suitcases and Traveling Bags Reduced $ 7.50 Suit Cases $ 5.95 $10.00 Suit Cases $ 8.50 $12.50 Suit Cases $10.75 $15.00 Suit Cases $12.35 $20.00 Suit Cases $16.95 $25.00 Suit Cases $19.85 EXTRA SPECIAL Cowhide Bags and Suit Cases $-4.95 $15.00 Men's Suits Now Only $18.00 Men's Suits Now Only $20.00 Men's Suits Now Only $25.00 Men's Suits Now Only $30.00 Men's Suits Now Only $35.00 Men's Suits Now Only $12.85 $13.85 $14 85 $19.85 $24.50 $28.50 tfl "s Straw Hat Specials $3.00 Brewer Straws High crown $2.25 $5.00 Dunlaps $3.75 $5 and $6 Bankoks 3.00 Panamas, special $4.50 Courteous Service Prompt Delivery BEN SELLING LEADING CLOTHIER Morrison Street at Fourth Etta Weller Asks Heart Balm. That he disregarded his vows to marry her Is the basis of a claim for $25,000 damages made in a breach of promise action filed yesterday by Etta Weller against John I Routledge. It Is alleged that the defendant asked the plaintiff to marry him in July, 1910, and June 30. 1914, was later set by mutual con sent as the date of the marriage. That she was at all times willing to per form her part of the contract, but that the defendant failed to keep his word Is the contention of the plaintiff. She alleges wounded feelings and declares that she Is entitled to the amount asked. POLICE FEAR FOUL PLAY Letter Found in Coat of Bert James Tells of Family Ruction. The finding of the coat of Bert James, a contractor, on the Ainsworth dock early yesterday, and the subsequent discovery that when last seen James was said to have had $600 on him, has caused the police to fear he has met with foul play. James disappeared from his home, 1622 East Seventeenth street, at noon Monday. He had the money to pay off some or tne men ne empiuyeu. In the pocket of the coat was rouno a letter addressed to his married daugh ter In Idaho. The letter had been writ ten last Friday, and had never oeen mailed. It recites some family troubles which, in the opinion of the authorities, makes suicide a possible explanation of James' disappearance. EXPERTS VIEW HIGHWAY ROAD FROM ELLENS BURG IS BEING WELL BUILT BY CONTRACTORS. Brothers Drowned When Swimming. OAKLAND, Cal., July 21. James Hud son ana nis uroiner jvueu, wcio drowned today when swimming in the Oakland Estuary. James, who was 14, was seized with a cramp. Alien, two vears older. Jumped in to save him and waa overcome and dragged down in the younger boy's death struggle. Sixty Per Cent of Work la Now Done and Fart of Line Will Be Open When Spring Travel Starts. ELLENSBURG. Wash.. July 21. (Special.) William R. Roy, State Highway Commissioner; State High way Engineer Alle, I. C. Ottis, State Engineer in charge of the Sunset High way, and P. J. McHugh, the general contractor for the 2S miles of the Sun set Highway to be built this year, completed a trip of Inspection by foot over the portion of the road which has been constructed from North Bend to Lake Keechelus. There they were met by Mr. Quigg, of the Qulgg Construction Company, and spent the afternoon in consulta tion. After a three days' trip they returned to Seattle Sunday night. The construction work is about 60 per cent completed. The Sunset Highway starts two miles east of North Bend and the end is on this side of the summit near Lake Keechelus, the new Summer resort. Here it connects with the old state highway. The maximum grade is 5 per cent. The bridges, three of them, are of steel construction. Those over the Snoqualmie River have 90-foot spans and the steel Is placed on con crete abutments. The road surface is to be of dirt for the present. Later, it will probably be hard-surfaced. Engineer H. A Murray says the road from North Bend will probably be completed by next Spring, while the cast end will he fin ished about September 1. Many new resorts have sprung up along the high way. Krom Lake Keechelus the road will extend to Ellensburg. where the Joint highway road to Wenatchee and North Vakima commences. CROSSING HOSE COSTS $25 Two Men Accused at Hood River Are Tried and Fined. HOOD RIVER, Or., July 21. (Spe cial.) Two citizens who drove over a fire hose when the home of J. H. An derson, on Oak street, was burning a week ago were fined $25 each. Ira E. Williams, a rancher, and J. R. Winston. an expert of tho local horticultural ex periment station, were the defendants. When brought before City Recorder Howe, Williams made a plea to have tho complaint withdrawn. old age. Mr. Ebert came to Klttlta Valley 3" years ago He was a member of the local U. A. K. post. His widow and six children survive Jamna T. and George A Ebert and Mrs. E. B. Dickey, of Ellensburg and Mrs. J. C. Tiler, of Topponish, Wash.; Mrs J. W. Olberteon. of Motiiesano, Wash., and E. B. Ebert. of Newport, Or. Farmer's Heirs Pay Big Tax. OLTMPIA, Wash.. July 21. (Spe cial.) Charles K. Wood, a Whitman County farmer, left the greater part of his money to "strangers to the blood" and the estate therefore pays 13206.41 to the state of Washington as Inherit ance tax. The value of Wood's sep arate property was 358,431.47. Kittitas Veteran Is Dead. ELLENSBURG. Wash.. July 21. Howard Ebert, 75, an early settler of Kittitas Valley, died this morning from Carlton Ilriikemnn Killed. CARLTON. Or.. July St. (Special.) John ;. Llpton, 25. brakeman on the Carlton A Coaiit Railroad, waa klltad at 6:30 o'clock last night when a car of logs rolled on him. Ha was twitch ing the train at a curve 15 miles from here. As the train made tha switch, the logs broke loos from their faaten lngs and mashed him. His cousin. (1. J. Llpton, lives near I . : i Or. Un Rowell. his mother, lives at New Kirk. Okla. Il V-outs to t'niiip. HOOD RIVER. Or.. July 21. (Bp. clal.) Members of the Hood River troops of Boy Scouts, accompanied by The Dalles members of the organlsa t'on. will leave In las morning on a 30-mlle hike to Lost l.ak where thar will pass a week In encampment. Rev. A. S. Donat. pastor of the Congrega tional church, will have charge of tha expedition. Read I'nu, 32, Satunlar I'.iralaa I'ost, Out I ...I in tMii HOaWlfT i!i.-. JKKFE11V I'lll 11 1 II M Frank . Itlasa ompany That's where the Victor-Victrola is pre-eminent The proof is in the hear ing. Any Victor dealer will gladly play your favorite music for you. There are Victors and Victrolas in great variety of styles from $10 to $200. Victor Talking Machine Co. Camden, N. J. Mere words cannot do justice to the superb tone quality of the Victrola. There is a charm in the clear, sweet, perfect rendition that must be heard to be appreciated. (J The Victor record is the artist just as you would hear him if you stood beside him on the stage, while what you want is to hear him as you would if seated in the audience--and the Victor system of changeable needles and the tone -modifying doors of the Vic trola give you perfect control over the music and enable you to bring out the full beauties of each individual record. (fl With Victrolas ranging from $15 to $200 you cannot afford to be without one in your home. Visit our Victor department today. We'll gladly play any music you wish to hear and demonstrate to you this wonderful instrument. J Easy terms on any Victrola. mis; DROWNING VICTIMS FOUND Bodies of Child and Ewin Recov ered by Grappler Brady. The bodiea of Edward M. Childs and Haskell Ewln. who were drowned In Columbia louarh last Sunday, were re covered yesterday by Municipal Grap pler Brady. Childs' body was taken to Dunning; & McEntee's chapel, where funeral serv ices will be beld at 10:30 A. M Thura- Steinway Weber and Other Pianos Sherman Morrison at Sixth Victrola XVI, $200 Mahogany or oak ay& Co. Opposite Post Office Pianolas