Gilpin observer., 1899-12-07
is THE WAGES OF SIN.
RICH MANS DOWNFALL WAS
SWIFT AND SURE.
Lands In tho Illinois Penitentlary as
Result of His Perfdy--End of q
Famous Criminal Case-Excited
Whole State for Two Years,

The conviction at Peoria. ILL.,, the
other day, of Fred Patee and Mrs.
Belle Howard Of manslaughter was the
closing act OF a melodrama in real
life, abounding in sensational periods
and exciting climaxes covering almost
two years. Their sentence to the
state prison at Joliet rings down the
curtain, perhaps, on tragedy which,
with its threatened exposures and
sensational revelations, stirred the
populace of the second city of Illinois
more deeply than anything ever known
in the criminal history of Peoria. Men
and women of high social and COM
mercial standing to say nothing of
trusted county officials and men promi-
nent in politics of the state, though
innocently, have been dragged into the
meshes of the nasty net, and many
have been trembling on thin crust, ex-
pecting to be engulfed at any moment
in Shiny pit. The principals in the
case were apparently determined that
II they were to go down their victims
should go with them, but the threat
ened engulfment was avoided by skill
full manipulation and profound secrecy
in all the legal proceedings prior to
the trial of the principals.
Mrs. Howard posed for years as a
: doctor. The nature of her practice
may be judged from the fact that she
was convicted of numbering a young
woman in criminal operation. Fred
Patee was convicted as an accessory
hafnrn tho 10 oh u,ith
taking her to DR.. Howard's Office
The victim was Miss Hughretta Blink
ley. comely young woman of about
27 years, who had been Patee's stenog-
rapher. She remained at "Dr" How
ards Cor several days, and when it was
seen that she could not recover she
was driven from the door, more dead
than alive, and penniless. She dragged
herself several blocks and secured
room. where she remained for a week
or more. Patee is said to have paid
her board at this place and to have
called on her often. Finally the wom-
an, by supreme effort, walked several
blocks to the Cottage hospital, where
she died in very short time. Doctors
who afterward conducted a post NOR
tenn examination were astounded when
told that the girl had walked to the
hospital, and they pronounced the case
one of the worst of its kind that had
ever come under their observation.
The death of Miss Binkley occurred
in April, 1898. Her mother resided at
Dublin, Ind, little town not far from
Richmond, in the same state, where
Eta" as she was known to every in
habitant of the village. had taught
school for several terms. Tired OF
this, she went to Indianapolis, where
she studied shorthand and typewritipg.
Through the school she secured sit
uation with bicycle firm in Indianap-
oils, of which Patee was manager,
and became his private stenographer.
Prior to this Patee had resided for
years residence in Indiana, returned
there with his wife and two children
to become secretary and assistant gen.
eral manager of the Peoria Rubber and
Manufacturing company. Miss Blink
ley followed soon after and was in
stalled as Patee's private stenographer.
Patee continued with the firm ,and then
there was disagreement, Patee re-
firing to start another factory. Patee
acquired considerable means, and had
become recognized as leading busi-
mes man. When he left the Peoria
Rubber and Manufacturing company
Miss Binkley went also. as his private