The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-04-30
THE ALLEGAN SUICIDE.

1nE AAAEOAN = AOAOEs
The body OF Miss Emma Ort, who committed
suicide at Allegsn, April 20, was found Thurs
day noon at toe bend Of the river just below
the bridge, opposite Floral hall. The excite
ment ct Allegan over the affair increases rather
than lessons, and the impression grows stronger
that the girl was first drugged and then outraged
Smith, the barber, who Is now under arrest, ha'
bought bottle of whisky the afternoon before
and had been heard TO say that he should ac-
complsh his purpose by fair means or FOUL
Two colored BARRIERS who are supposed to know
something Of the matter have skipped out. Ii
was talked on the streets OF Alegan that an at
tempt would be made to lynch Smith, but this
is probably mere talk, although Smith is un-
doubtedly full as safe in jail as he would be
out OF if.
A special TO the Detroit Post Gays that the
several physicians present at the inquest de-
clared there was evidence that the young wo-
man. had been outraged within few hours OF
her death. There Is no doubt OF Smiths guilt,
but 1t may be difficult to procure evidence that
will Withstand the technicalities OF the law
chaste, and there Is no doubt she was raped or
seduced.
ALLEaAN, April 26.-The inquest on the body
Of Emma Ort continued throughout o-day In the
presence OF . large and excited crowd. One
hundred men, headed by her father and lover,
came in BODY from Boomingdale with threats
against Smith.
Smith has been on the stand all day, and so
great was the crowd in the court room that
the floor trembled and cracked, compelling the
vacation Of the room and adjournment to the
basement.
When the inquest adjourned, the officers es-
corting Smith ia jail were greeted with yells of
" Hang him hang HIM -
The analysis OF the stomach Of Mics Ort is
being made at Ann Arbor. The theory is that
she was drugged.
In commenting on the Emma Ort tragedy,
the Allegan Journal says:
GA lesson should Ice learned by many young
girls Of this village and their parents, from the
terrible Ort tragedy. The practice of allowing
girls to run about at al hours Of the night has
prevailed to great extent IN town, and this is
not the first evil that has resulted from it. A
more prolific source OF danger can scarcely be
imagined than this. The very fact that at late
hours they are liable to meet men and women
OF the worst possible characters, hear their
talk, and see their actions, should be enough to
restrain respectable girls from indulgence in
this questionable practice. We know Of most
disgraceful scene which occurred IN conse-
quence OF 1t, one evening last week. One or
more white girls, OF respectable parentage. and
Of good standing themselves, passed some col
ored girls, with their beaus, and made fippant
remarks about them, as they had done before.
Two OF the colored girls turned upon one OF
the white. girls and slapped her quite soundly.
The colored girls should have had more for
bearance and the white girls more civility; and
al should have been at home at such an hour
as this occurred, unless outdoors OF necessity
which was not the casa with any OF these par
ties. And still more should girls beware of
strangers and new acquaintance. as we'll as be
cautious and reserved TO respectful! degree
towards certain sort OF friends Of an older &C.
quaintance. II Emma Ort saves some Of her
sisters from the cause OF her death. or the
cause OF life of remorse, her fate Will not be
devoid OF good consequences