The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-03-07
SHE ALSO cOURTED DEATH.
Alice Aldersley's Desperate Re-
taIiation.
HER HONOR AND FORTUNE LOST.
Rather Than Permit Her Lover to
Discard Fier She Resolves That
Both Shall Die.

James j. Leek, dentist with Offices at
Fifth street, and Miss Alice Aldersley,
young woman from Napa with whom
Leek was upon friendly terms, were found
in an unconscious condition in the den,
lists apartment early Monday forenoon.
The janitor of the building discovered
the couple when he entered Leek's Office
in the course OF his daily duties and i'm.
mediately called for assistance.
DR.. j. Milton Bowers, who has Offices in
the same building. answered the call. and
it required but a hasty examination tC
convince him that the man and woman
were in a precarious condition.
When the people were discovered there
WAS strong odor of gas in the room and
gas was escaping through a jet from which
a rubber tube had been disconnected.
These circumstances furnished ground
for the belief that the case was one OF
accidental asphyxiation and the usua
remedies were applied. They proved un-
awaiting, however, and then an endeavor
to establish some other reason for the
condition of the two people was made.
This endeavor proved successful. Traces
of morphine, cocaine and hemock were
discovered in sufficient quantities to
JUSTLY VIC OplulOA bGdL
than an accident had occurred. e
Later on just what this "something''
was became known.
The man and woman were unconscious
10 consequence of a deliberate attempt at
murder and self-destruction.
Alice Aldersley had attempted to take
the life of her companion, James j. Leek,
and also end her own existence.
And the causes which led to this desper-
ate act-well they form the DID, old story.
a woman was weak and a man unscrupu-
lous.
The base OF the troubles or Alice Alders-
ley dates back to September of 1891.
DR.. Leek was in Napa caring for den-
tai exhibit which his brother had at the
Napa Fair.
He met the girl there and professed to
be enamored of her. After The fair and
upon his return to this city the two CORE
sponded frequently and finally their en-
gagement was announced.
Miss Aldersley made frequent trips to
the city to see her betrothed. and it was
while on one of these excursions that her
ruin was accomplished.
When Leek met the girl she, so the story
goes. had about $1,000. This money he
borrowed for the purpose of booming his
business, promising to repay it on demand.
About a year ago the Aldersley family
at the solicitation of Alice gave up their
home in Napa and came to this city to
live, it being the desire of the girl to be
near her sweetheart.
They did not remain here long, how
ever. The expected marriage did not occur
and Alice found 1t necessary to seek en-
ployment in order to help her folks. Then
DR.. Leek'S ard0r began to cool. Other
women appeared as attractive to him as
did his promised wife and she was often
times neglected. Finally a breach oc-
Cured and the Aldersleys returned to
Napa.
Soon, however. the difficulties were
smoothed over and Miss Adversely re-
sumed her excursions to the city. 1t was
while here on one Of these visits thai DIR.
Leek induced her to do that which might
land her in jail. He was at war with his
possession of a dental college, and an
noyeG him by sending him threatening
and anonymous letters.
An extract from one of the letters
reads:
A trap has been set for you. II you
valne your life keep out Of your protner's place
.Your brother has the authority 10 shoot
you, which he will do; put you out Of existence,
The sooner the better.
If you think he dare not do it, then think
no Jury would convict woman that would step
into your own Office and shoot you as Dog,
which you are.
These letters, so it developed during the
progress of recent civil suit between the
brothers, were written by the girl at the
lnstigatiOn of DR.. Leek.
Miss Aldersley was made witness in
the suit, and came to this city last Thurs
day IN order to give her testimony. She
took up her residence in the dental apart
ments on Fifth street, and while there be-
came possessed of information which un-
doubtedly brought about the attempt at
murder and suicide.
Notwithstanding his pledges OF fidelity
DIR. Leek was consorting with other
women.
Miss Alderslev frequently appealed to
Leek to give up the other women, but her
appeals went unheeded. 1t was then that
she became desperate.
a variety actress. who, when In re-
tirement, is known as Mrs. Sprague, Alice
blamed for much of her trouble and many
times threatened to kill her. Her threats
became known to the vaudeville star anc
caused that individual to go into retire.
ment.
In addition to Leek's neglect, other
things happened which acted as fuel or
the fire Of desperation which had taken
possession of Alice Aldersley.
While endeavoring to assist her lover
out of his legal troubles, she gave con.
elusive evidence that she was the author
of the threatening letters, and the man tC
whom they were sent declared that he
would retaliate by prosecuting her.
1t was then that the girl realized the
exact position in which she stood.
Der honor and everything else had been