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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 17, 1922)
TITE SUNDAY OltEGOXIAN, PORTLAND, DECEMBER 17, 1D22 19 r v MfiS. REID'S HISTOBY ONE OF BLACKMAIL Adventuress Lives by Wits, Outside Pale of Society. WOMAN NOW IS IN JAIL Forgery and Trips to Prison and to Insane Hospital Figure in ' Iilbel Suit Answer. Tha extraordinary story of an adventuress was revealed when the answer of The Oregonian in the $100,000 iioel suit brought by Pa tricia Be.d was filed in the state circuit court. It was the story of a woman out side the pale of society a woman who lived, and lived well, by her wits. Forgery, blackmailing, "bad Ker" games innumerable arrests, two trips to a state's prison, con finement in an Insane hospital were charges included in the news paper's reply to the woman's de mand for payment for a ruined reputation. In view of the past character of the woman, John F. Logan, representing the publication, asked that the suit be dismissed. Patricia Reid gained considerable" publicity in Portland last July when she hired a theater and conducted a series of exposes of so-called "psy chologists" In general and one Or lando E. Miller In paticular. The woman had previously been asso ciated with Miller in Seattle; Miller bad been attacked by the press of that city and driven out and the woman, on account of bad checks, was arrested and jailed. When re leased from the Seattle jail she came to Portland and for about a week occupied the limelight in this city. Woman Now Under Arrest. At present she is under arrest in San Francisco. She is wanted by Portland authorities on forgery and bad check charges, while postal au thorities also are said to hold a war rant for her arrest on a charge of fraudulent use of the mails. Mrs. Reid's extraordinary history commences in 1916, when she first appeared on the Pacific coact. Prior to that time no attempt was made to check up on her performances. The woman first became involved In serious trouble when she was ar rested at Oakland in December, 1915, on a charge of issuing worthless checks. She was tried and on May 8, 1910, was convicted by a jury of obtaining money under false pre tenses. Sentence of ten years In San Quentin was suspended on the woman's promise that she would voluntarily enter St, Agnew's hospi tal for the insane and remain a pa tient for one year. Mrs. Reid, then known as Evelyn Von Dohlen, soon tired of the hos pital and returned to Oakland. She was immediately arrested, the pa role revoked and orders for her commitment to the penitentiary issued. Until October 31, 1917, she re mained a convict in the prison. She was paroled on that date. On April 1, 1918, she married Moses Rosen crantz at San Jose, while still on parole from prison, but the husband on learning of her legal status, left her in May of that year. Bad Check Charge Placed. For almost a year Mrs. Reid man aged to keep out of the clutches of the law. On March 15, 1919, she was ' arrested at San Diego on a charge of Issuing worthless checks. She was convicted and two months later was back in the women's section of San Quentin prison under the name of Evelyn Rosencrantz. Her lawyer carried her case to a higher court and after six months imprisonment the woman was or dered back to San Diego for a re trial. County authorities, rather than submit the case to the jury again, allowed her to plead guilty to the charge. She was again sen tenced to the penitentiary for two years, but was paroled and placed on probation. Then followed, in kaleidoscopic fashion, a series of adventures on the woman's part, adventures which netted her considerable finan cial gain. Rosencrantz managed to secure an annulment of his marriage to the woman. She married another, B. M. Carlton of San Francisco, by threats of exposure, it is claimed. How Carlton was tricked how the clever woman preyed on his fears of exposure is a tale that would fit well with Boccaclo's a tale that could not be repeated by any news paper. Carlton Gets Divorce. Carlton, however, soon learned the woman's true character and in De cember, 1920, secured a divorce from her at San Francisco. During this trial a San Francisco physician gave evidence of the woman's physical character. She was incapable of bearing children, the physician claimed, because of an operation which had been performed at her own request. In 1921, Mrs. -Reid appeared in Vancouver. She made frequent trips to jail, being arrested four times in a little over six weeks on charges of obtaining money under false pre tenses and of theft. During the past year the woman's adventures have been many and varied. "Psychology," marriage, blackmailing and issuing worthless checks have been her means of liv ing. In January she inserted a matri monial advertisement in a Seattle newspaper. A few days later Audrey V. F. Barton, English remit- ' tance man, fell into her trap. He visited her in Seattle; then returned to his home at Tacoma. On the night of February 1 an automobile drew up to Barton's home. Mrs Reid and a lawyer alighted. Barton had seduced th woman, the lawyer claimed, and UD' less he immediately married her prosecuyon would follow. Barton Kept Prisoner. Barton was led away to a Tacoma hotel, kept a virtual prisoner for the night The following morning the marriage took place. But Bar ' ton had little money, and attempted to transfer all of his personal prop erty to a former sweetheart. When the woman found that her new husband was not as rich as he ! had led her to believe, she com- j menced to make life unpleasant for him. She ran up a large bill at a ! Tacoma hotel. She became asso-1 ciated with a Hindu psychologist. ; She dragged the protesting remit- i j tance man-husband to Olympia, ' where, with the psychologist, she attempted to stage a series of "psychology" lectures. The adven- ! ture failed. Barton passed out of her life as he was being led away , to jail because of his failure to pay the hotel bills for the trio. Later Mrs. Reid was arrested on a bad check charge. This matter was dropped, she returned to Tacoma, was jailed again and again dodged the penalties of the law. " "Psychologist" Miller was then holding forth at Seattle. Mrs. Reid joined his staff. But Seattle news papers learned of Miller's criminal past and commenced an attack on him. Mrs. Reid gave out another bad check and the police led her oft to jail. Miller left the city and came to Portland. For a week Mrs. Reid remained in the familiar jail atmosphere. She blamed Miller for the trouble. She was released and came to Portland. Her attacks on Miller, delivered at the Star theater while Miller was holding forth in the Peoples theater last July, created considerable com ment in Portland. But local people refused to treat either of the pair very seriously. Miller found "psy chology" unprofitable. Attacks of the press, Mayor Baker and various civic clubs hastened his departure from the city. Mrs. Reid did not leave Portland she found this city too profitable. A lawyer lent her $600 on her word that she had large estate In the east Several local men be came enmeshed in her net. She pro posed a plan to a local private de tective agency for an extended blackmail campaign in the city. But the detective head i.refused to enter such an agreement and noti fied the police authorities. BroadcastoffomM Mrs. ReJd Ordered Away. On August 3 Mrs. Reid was haled before Deputy District Attorney Mowry, Chief of Police Jenkins and Detective Captain Harms and told that her presence was no longer de sired in Portland. She agreed to leave. It was as a result of the news story of her appearance before the officials that Mrs. Reid based her claim for the ,100,000 for a ruined reputation. Her suit was filed by three local lawyers. But the woman did not drop from sight :Six weeks ago she passed anothe worthless check at Astoria. She was arrested at Roseburg, but when a deputy sheriff called for her managed to settle tlfb bill and was allowed to go free. The foregoing history of this ex traordinary adventuress simply touohes on the high spots of her career her open encounters with the law. As is always true in mat ters of this character, there are hundreds of victims who refuse to prosecute who would give anything rather than allow the Bpotllght of publicity to be thrown on their re lations and dealings with such a woman. So, in addition to this story of arrests, imprisonment, hurried and forced marriages, is a weird story of blackmailing of prominent men walking, like flies, into the web which this spider-woman had woven. Some were Portland men, some were Seattle men. Rumor has it that several of the well-known men of Astoria have no desire to Bee her prosecuted for fear that she reveal their relations with her. Woman la Jailed. Mrs. Reid is in jail in San Fran cisco. Worthless checks have caused her trouble. The strong arm of the federal law Is said to be reaching out for' her as a result of blackmailing letters sent through the mails. Whether Mrs. Reid will appear in Portland to press her suit against The Oregonian is a matter of much doubt. Inspector Swennes of tne local forci has a sheaf of worthless checks which she issued while in Portland. He also has a warrant for her arrest. Mrs. Reid is an Interesting and striking personality. She is a fluent and a capable talker, anJ though at least 35 years o." age Btill possesses considerable beauty, despite her dis-i sipatlons and her long experiences behind iall bars. She lives wen, al ways chosing the best hotels when not forced to occupy somewhat less luxurious quarters in Jan. A 12-year-old boy, whose parentage Is a mystery, always accompanies her on her trips. Reputation Held Notorious". In attacking the woman's claim for a judgment against the news paper, Mr. Logan set forth much of the woman's past as an evidence that such a reputation cs she pos sessed could not be damaged, that she is a person whose character for morality, integrity and honest deal ing is notoriously bad and that she was not or could not be injured by the alleged libel. The lawyer fur ther contended that in view of all .facts, the public was entitled to know the details of the meeting of the officials, at wh!:h time the woman was ordered from the city, and that as she held herself forth as a public character in a theater, the public -had an interest in and was entitled to be Informed of her actions. ONE of the rarest musical treats ever offered in a radio pro gramme will be broadcast from The Oregonian studio, KGW, to night. , The programme includes numbers by the soloists and chorus of St. Mary's cathedral, and has been arranged by Frederick W. Goodrich, director and organist. Mr. Good rich will preside at the piano. Not only is it significant because of the caliber of artists who are to take part, but it consists entire ly of rare and beautiful Christmas music. Over three weeks have been devoted to preparations for the con cert and every one of the 11 num bers is a gem of music. Alice Gene vieve Smith, the harplBt who achieved such a triumph last week, will play a harp-piano number, with Frederick W. Goodrich, and such soloists as Rose Friedle Gianelll, contralto; Miss Genevieve Clancy, soprano; Mrs. Tlni Suffield, so prano; Miss Margaret Givler, so prano; Halfred Young, tenor, and Ben L. Markee, baritone, will render individual numbers and others se lections with chorus parts. This concert will begin at 7 o'clock. The trio composed of Susie Fen nell Pipes, violin; Ferdinand Con rad, cello, and J. Hutchison, piano, which has given such notable con certs during the season, and which is considered the best instrumental trio in the northwest, will give a programme for radio In The Orego nian studio tomorrow night. Their programme will be announced to morrow morning. Four fine artists will give an other mixed programme of solos on Wednesday night for KGW listen ers. These are Miss Helen Harper, violinist; Miss Jean Harper, pian ist; Jane Burns Albert, soprano, and O. A. Olson, basso-profundo. The first three -are artists who have been heard before In radio concerts CHRISTMAS MTSIC PRO GRAMME BY ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL CHOIR TONIGHT. "Ad-este Fideles" (Reading) Mrs." Tinl Suffield, soprano; Rose Friedle Gianelll, con- tralto; Halfred Young, tenor; Ben L. Markee, baritone, and chorus. "Sanctus," from "St Cecilia Mass" . (Gounod) Halfred Young, tenor, and chorus. "Andante Religiose (Kron old) Violin solo by Marie Chapman Macdonald. "Adore and Be Still" (Gou nod) Soprano solo by Miss Margaret Givler. "Wake and Sing, Good Christian" (Hawley) Bari tone solo by Ben L. Markee. "The Virgin attheManger" Perllou) Vocal trio; Miss Genevieve Clancy, soprano; Miss Margaret Givler, soprano, and Rose Friedle Gianelll, contralto. "Cantlque de Noel" (Adam) Contralto solo by Rose Friedle Gianelll. "Ave Maria" (Mascheronl) Soprano solo by Mrs. Tini i Suffield, with violin obllgato by Marie Chapman Macdonald. "Silent Night" (Gruber) St Mary's cathedral chorus. "Gesu Bambino" (Yon) Soprano solo by Miss Gene vieve Clancy. "March Solonelle" (Gounod) ' for harp and piano Alice Genevieve Smith and Freder ick W. Goodrich. ML PIERCE PLANS IS TO ABOL BOARD S All Commissions Also Are Slated to Go. prepared to slash this appropria tion, -v Of the 60 members of the lower house, 15 have written to K. K Kubli, who will be speaker, asking for appointment on the ways and means committee. Some of the 15 also want a place on the roads and highways ccmmlttee and a position on the committee on assessment and taxation. The committee on capitoi building and grounds, which is considered a graveyard committee, Is actually being applied for an un precedented request. - CENTRALIZED POWER AIM Lower Taxes Promised, Bat Real Object la Declared to Be to Hand Out Patronage. (Continued From First Page.) state treasurer, the entire manage ment of state functions is to be in vested in the commission of five, according to the report. The work and of an excellence -vhlch will at tract attention to their programme. Mr. Olson has one if the deepest bass voices in this section of the country, ia an accomplished musi cian with a European reputation, and for his voice, ranks among the highest. Sniff of Moonshine Lays Rodent Cold in Death. Rat's Body and Uncorked Carboy Hate Evidence of Tragedy. G GEARIN ESTATE MAY ERECT TWO-STORY STRUCTURE. Use by Financial Institutions at Sixth and Stark Streets Contemplated. A two-story, class A building will be erected at the southwest corner of Sixth and Stark streets in the near future, if plans now contem plated by the Gearin estate are car ried out It was reported yesterday that iilans already have been drawn for a building at that location which would be designed especially for the use of financial institutions. A three-story wooden building now occupies that corner and the plan contemplates wrecking that in the near future. The erection of the proposed structure would be another step In making Sixth street the financial center of Portland. In this connec tion it is reported that several financial institutions are considering space m the Wells-Fargo building at Sixth and Oak streets, which was recently purchased by Porter Bros. and renamed the Porter buildinsr. At the time the $1,000,000 structure was purchased; J. D. Porter said that Porter Bros, bought it because they were convinced that the city's finan cial district undoubtedly would cen ter in the vicinity of Sixth, and Oak streets. . There is" a report that the Broad way bank, which is seeking a new location as permanent quarters, may take ground floor space in the Porter building. If erected, the Gearin building will be of concrete construction. Ex ceptionally large plate-glass win dows will be a feature. Co-operative Stockyards Planned. EUGENE. Or., Dec. 18. (Special.) At a meeting at the Eugene chamber of commerce last night a committee from the stock breeders of Lane county and the butchers of Eugene was appointed to investi gate the feasibility of the estab lishment of a co-operative stock yard in this city. The plan has been talked of for some time. W. A. Ayres, secretary of the Lane county co-operative shippers' association, and James Moore and E. E. Broders, meat dealers, were named on the committee. They will investigate the plan of operation of similar in stitutlons in different parts of the country. Alleged "Fence" Arrested. B. R. Bircher, said to live at the Navarre hotel, was arrested yester day by Deputy Constables Watkins and Druhot on a charge of receiving stolen property. He was released on $250 bond and will have a hearing this week before District Judge Hawkins. will be broken up into five depart ments, with a commissioner at the head of each, and the overlord is the governor. No more close political corporation could be devised. Where the economy would enter has not been indicated, for chief clerks would have to be performing the duties now attended by present commission beads,, and there would be little, if any, reduction in the number of individuals employed. Pierce Warned to Go Slow. Mr. Pierce has been advised by well wishers that he must not play the democratic game too strong. There are but four democrats in the state senate out of 30 members, and 12 republicans must be won over if Mr. Tierce is to have control of the upper branch of the legisla ture. A measure which would place in his hands virtually all of the patronage in the state would, in all probability, meet with stubborn re sistance from enough republican senators to prevent its passage, even though the house should adopt the bill.- Whatever Mr. Pierce, as gover nor, wants wit'.iin reason, when it Is shown to be of direct benefit to the state, will be approved by re publican senators. Assembling of a democratic machine Is another matter. "Sky-rocket" bills, looking spectacular, which my be sent up by Mr. Pierce, will be treated as such. ( Pierce Writes Letters. Governor-elect Pierce has written letters to legislators already, solicit ing support for some of his ideas. One plan he proposes is placing highway commissioners on a salary basis instead of having this service rendered gratuitous by public spirited citizens. Mr. Pierce, when in the senate in 1919, introduced a bill to give each highway commis sioner a salary of J4000 a year. Po litical gossip says that one reason why the governor-elect wants the commissioners to draw a substan tial salary is that he will then have little difficulty in finding men for the positions. Under the present system of no compensation it has been said that It is easier to find half a dozen men to appoint as United States senator than to find one with the special requirements for a successful highway commis sioner. Attempt to make the high way commissioners salaried jobs will be opposed. More Trouble in Offing. Another matter which will pre cipitate controversy is Mr. Pierce's attitude toward salmon hatcheries. He is, according to the statement he made at Ontario a few days asto. BflRBEfl PROTESTS FINE RIGHT TO PRACTICE TRADE ON SUNDAY ASSERTED, SOME careless person forgot to cork the carboy. A curious rat ventured along, took one sniff of the stuff, then' dropped" dead. No, it wasn't prussic acid nor some poison gas in liquid form. It was simply moonshine whisky. , - It's the tcuth, the whole truth and nothing, but the truth and is vouched for by United States Marshal Hoteh kiss and his entire force of deputies. The tragic story of the rat's de mise came to light yesterday when Federal Judge Wolverton ordered the destruction of several hundred gallons of moonshine whisky stored in the vaults in the basement of the federal building. When the marshal, with his assistants, entered the vault the unfortunate rat lay beside the open carboy. "If anyone thinks we're joking about the deadly effect of that moon," Marshal Hotchkiss said, "he should have been there when we opened the vault The stuff had been there for several years, and Instead of growing better it Beemed to grow worse with age. It was the foulest imitation of whisky I have seen since entering office," The entire collection of liquor which had accumulated during the last few years, was poured into the traps leading to the sewer. Action Started In Circuit Court to Determine legality of "Barbering" on Sabbath. Is it illegal for a barber to do "barbering" on. Sunday? Through a petition filed in circuit court yesterday by Otto Schwabe, Portland barber, attempt will be made to show that a barber may trim whiskers, scissor out a "bob" and otherwise pursue his daily vo cation on Sunday without violating the law. Schwabe was arrested in Septem ber on a charge of violating the Oregon law by "barbering" on Sun day, according to the petition. He had a hearing October 19 before District Judge Deich. He was found guilty and fined $10. Yesterday William P. Lord, at torney for Schwabe, filed in circuit court a petition for review of judg ment. The first contention of the petition is that the people of Ore gon, by adoption of an initiative measure in November, 1916, actually repealed the sections under which Schwabe was tried and fined. HENRY THIELE HONORED Women Make Up Combination Bouquet for Henry Thiele. It had been suggested from the audience to take up a collection for a bouquet for Henry Thiele In appreciation of his three weeks' lec tures on "Better Cooking" and "The Advantages of Gas for Culinary Pur poses." This suggestion was not ac ceptable to those in charge, as the lectures, demonstrations and food served were all furnished free by the Portland Gas & Coke company. An other scheme was substituted. Each lady who so desired was advised that she could bring a carnation or a chrysanthemum on Friday, the farewell lecture. So many did this that Mr. Thiele felt almost em barrassed, as not one, but seven bouquets were thus formed during last Friday's lecture. At the close of the last demon stration prolonged applause marked the occasion and nearly a hundred women lingered for almost an hour to ask the well-known chef some question or other. The demonstrations have been of the highest class, to inspire house wives to make their cooking a real Joy, as it is to "Henry," instead of a burden and to educate them to make up and plan a menu for the day instead of starting haphazard at the last moment The range used wag one of the very latest "Reliable" ranges with the "Lorain" oven heat control. The Interest displayed in it by the hun dreds and hundreds of visitors has seen so marked that the gas com pany changed its last order and told the factory to equip all the ranges ordered with the Lorain oven heat control. Especially on Sundays this new control is a blessing to the wife. Just before going to church she puts the raw potatoes, meat, vegetables, etc, in the oven, sets the Lorain at the 250-degree mark, goes away and when the family comes home from church dinner is ready, literally fol lowing that part of the command ment which gays: "In it thou shalt not do ANY work." .Adv.) Chelialls Elks Hear Official. CHEHALIS, Wash., Dee. 18. (Special.) George L. Harrigan of Tacoma, district deputy exalted ruler, made an official visit to Che halis Elks Thursday night. One candidate was initiated, Earl E. Miller of Kelso. Presentation of a fine chimes clock by Robert Fecht ner & Son, Robert Fechtner Jr., both of whom are members of the local lodge, was a part of the programme. The clock has been installed In the lodge room. ACCIDENT FUND LOSES Supreme Court Sanctions Trans fer to General Fund. OLYMPIA, Wash., Dec. 16. (Spe cial.) Because $215,535 appropri ated by the last legislature from the accident fund to pay operating ex penses of the department of labor and Industries has been expended for that purpose, it is not within the jurisdiction of the supreme court to cause a reversion from the general fund to the accident fund of the amount so expended, a ma jority opinion of the supreme court held today. The legislature based the appro priation from the accident fund, which is made up of premiums paid by industries subject to industrial Insurance, on the ground that the industries should bear a portion of the administrative expense of the fund. 1 YCIOCI Temptation for Piano Buyers i That A in an re Irresistible A Steinway A Mason & Hamlin A Knabe 3 Chickerings A Weber . A Kimball pedes TubularJaU-Bearini.UrjeTirt High GradcQuldrens Vehicle! OverAMillfonln Use Sold By AH Toy Stores Places One in Your Home Besides a number of pianos of our own manufacture, some of them nearly new, some of them player pianos and all of them priced for immediate sale. If you have not the cash we are prepared to give liberal terms. You can save a large amount of money by ' purchasing jbef ore Christmas and the price marked . plainly on each instrument, will, pleasantly surprise you. , OPEN EVENINGS UNTIL CHRISTMAS MtTiipin (fix Wholesale Retail TRICYCLES I sLtor Lime Manufacturers fb ' : . ; ; , Annual "Xmas" Sale of Slippers commences tomorrow morning. for Ladies and Young Ladies A vast assortment. See our Slipper Windows. Felts in all colors in pretty Juliets, Comforts, Hy-Los, Princess Com forts and Moccasins at prices to meet every demand. $1 .35 $1 .65 $1 .85 $9.15 $9-35 $9.85 EXTRA! "XMAS" SPECIAL The Famous DANIEL GREEN FANCY SATIN AND FELT SLIPPERS CAVALIERS, D'ORSAYS, BOUDOIRS and "COMFYS" in All Colors $285 $225 $25 $75 These are the lowest prices obtainable. For Men- Feit Slippers and Romeos, pad ded and leather soles, from to $3 Leather Operas, Everetts, Romeos, Fausts, Cavaliers, hand turned soles, all sizes $2 to for "BoyS and Girls" and "Little Kiddies" Felt Comfort Slippers and Bootees, all colors priced ac cording to sizes, from 75c up to Children's Fancy Wool Leggins, cuff tops now .$3.45 Rubber Boots for Kiddies 'Onyx' and 'Pointex, Silk Hosiery mAlm M Make a Most Acceptable "XMAS" GIFT Extra Special on Black and Brown Full Fashioned Silk "Onyx" Hose $1 and i Pair fRox 3 Pr. at $4.75) (Box 2 Pr. at $5.75 "FUlIS 1L,K. liUoJii AxAj UULUKS and a Pair (Box 3 Pairs $8.25) (Box 3 Pairs $11) Exclusive Agents "II AN AN" Shoes for Men and Women MA Morrison Street at Fourth Wlien in Doubt . Give a GREENFIELD GIFT BOND Issued for Any Amount