, 1892-07-06
SHE WAS IN OLYMPIA
A Tale Of a WomanS Forgery in
San Francisco.
How ollie Hutchtns Came to visit
the Capital of washington and
what Induced Her To Go the
Olympic Region.

AAOM OAAAe hutChAnA ChAMe 10 NIAl
the Capital of washington ans
what Induced Her To Go TIA,
Olympic Region.
SAN Francisco, July Elm the arres
here of two swindling real estate agent
for forging mortgage and the tragic
death of one Of them Immediately follow
ing the arrest, there is also developed {
wonderful story Of a woman from the stat,
Of Washington. She personated a Miss
Emma Dick who owned the property.
The story of her adventures since the
commission of the crime and the move.
ments of the police in search of her are
best related in the statement made by her
and her pursurers in the presence OF a
Chronicle reporter, as follows:
At 4 O'Clock in the afternoon, on the
third day after the money had been secured
Oracle Gilbert, or Ollie Hutchins, quietly
slid out Of the city. She went to Sacra-
mento, stayed there day, then boarded a
train for Portland, Oregon. She was in
Portland when the local detectives, ten
days after the money was secured, began
their search for her. She did not stay in
Portland, but went to Olympia, Wash,
where she has a sister, Mrs. ]. A. Howe,
whose husband conducts grocery. Even
the quiet little capital city of the state of
Washington was not a safe retreat she
argued, and her conclusions were well
founded. She left Olympia none too soon.
In January, 1891, the police located her
at Olympia. Detective Charles Cody, who
was an official at the house of correction
w hnr ch No a -,
under the name of Ollie Hutchins, was
detailed to go to Olympia and identify her
and bring her back if the information
proved correct. When Mr.. Cody arrived
there the bird had flown. He found the
sister, Mrs. Howe. however, and passed
the night at her house. There it was that
the police first secured photograph of the
woman. Detective Cody was compelled to
return alone.
The next venture of the girl was most
daring one. Directly across from Olympia,
on the opposite side of the long, narrow
arm Of Puget Sound, rise the rugged, grand
and majestic Olympic mountains. OF the
country beyond the mountains, which is
inhabited only by Indians and few daring
settlers, but little is known. 1t is seldom
penetrated even by hunters or prospectors.
In this country GracIe Gilbert thought she
could escape the men whom she knew to
be hunting her. But from Olympia the
mountains are seldom crossed and tedi-
Gus, roundabout journey was necessary for
her to reach the country she imagined
would afford her shelter Accordingly sne
took Puget Sound steamer to Tacoma,
transferring to a boat running to Port
IChnsenGtl and at the latter point she
boarded a steamer that runs down
the straits of San Juan de Fuca
to Port Angeles. From Port Angeles
there was fatiguing journey on a pony
n ann tagn 8 fI.o nNn &C. IL
little settlement Just above Cape Flattery
From Pysht she penetrated the wilderness,
going inland nearly forty miles over bride
trail that runs down into the Quilleyute
valley. 1t was in this country undOubted-
ly the widest on the Pacific slope, where
bear and mountain lions are common and
elk roam undisturbed that Oracle Gilbert
sought home. There had been rumors
that the government would soon survey
the land, throwing it open to pre-emptiOn,
and she hoped to acquire farm, though as
yet no wagon had ever rolled within twenty
miles of the claim that she selected.
In this venture, however, the girl was not
alone. She was supported in her endeavors
by Charlie Gilbert, man who had been
convict with her in the San Francisco
house of correction, and who had Joined
her in the far North. They had resolved
to lead better life, to gain a home and to
live respected in their old age. But the
government survey never came, and after
i've months of life in the dreary wilderness
they resolved to seek a home where they
could meet friends, but still isolated from
the world. They abandoned the claims
they were holding and left the country.
Again they were none too soon.
Through letters written to her sister in
Olympia the detective located the fugitive
in the Quilleyute country. Their claims
had been deserted but few months when
Detective Cody made the same trip down
Puget Sound, down the straits, over the
lonely bride trail and into the little valley
that they had deserted. Then all trace Of
the woman was again lost.
The Gilberts found quiet home. They
were united in marriage in Puget Sound
city, and then took up their residence in
South Bend, a quiet town in Southern
Washington, on Shoalwater bay, an arm
of the ocean. Gilbert secured employment
in big saw mill, where, by quiet an in
dustrious habits and a natural business
tact, he soon became foreman. The Gill
berts bought a little piece of property,
built a comfortable house and established
a cosy home. For months they had been
leading a cOntented life, respected by their
neighbors and happy in their seclusion.
The blissful dream OF domestic happi-
ness was rudely broken when Detective
Charles Cody stalked into the little home
at South Bend. The young housewife all
but tainted, but managed to retain her
senses while the detective stated his busi-
ness. She denied nothing, admitting with
out hesitation that it was she who forged
the signature of Emma Dicks to the spuri-
GUS mortgage papers. Requisition papers
had been secured in advance and
we're prodnced. Mrs. Gilbert was told
that she must return with the officer to
San Francisco. She did not object, but
asked one faYOr-that she be allowed to
send to the mill for Charley" The re-
quest was granted, and the husband soon
returned home to meet with shock that
he little expected. He had known of the
forgery and knew Detective Cody, for the
officer had once captured him in San Ma
teO county after his escape from the
House of Correction. He could do moth
ing but submit to the law, and the hus-
band and the wife agreed to make the best
of their situation. Accordingly Cody re-
mained at their house over night. When
be departed with Mrs. Gilbert on boat
bound for Portland on Wednesday morn
ing the citizens little dreamed that the
husband who conducted them to the
wharf was sending his wife away a pris-
oner. At Portland they took passage on
an ocean steamship, arriving in San Fran
cisco Saturday morning.
What Grover Means.
1t is claimed that Adlai the Christian