The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-04-26
AN uNGRATtFOL MISS
Ora Bellieu Makes SeriOus
Charges Against Her Bene.
factor.

Wichita, kansa April 25-(SpeQial-~
Miss orc Bellieu who was a student In
1is city. wcll known among the young
people has nglrcd in a case that has
-cneauonal interest in Southern Kaisas
and oklahoma. Her aunt's husband. Syl-
vcster Lawrence OF ih1 Usage Nation
sent Miss Belieu TO Wichita TO be- cdu-
Gated at his o@n expense. Because of
this kindness he came within a hairs
breadth of going 90 the ponitentiary for
the better part of his life.
sylvester Lawrence was taken TO Ar
Kansas city on March 81, on a requisit-
lon granted by Governor. Barnes IN Okla
noma 10 answer the charge or rape upon
lOrn Bdiieu. " seems that last summer
lNTrs Lawrence secured a divorce from
her husabnd In the courts Of PawhuskA.
Art.rl while Mr. Lawrence made n show
ng that be had been deferred from max
ing answer to the divorce ease by the
thrc5t hat be would be arrsted on A erin
inal G., arre aEd upon that showing the
decree was set aside.
Mrs Islcpce then went to Arkansas
Cuy With orc Belueu. her niece. and a
tobor 3. iSS and the crime charged was
statutory rape. The complaint was
sworn and signed to by orc Bellieu.
The case was tried at Arkansas City
sterday and The following facts brought
cut:
ora reG.,u was the first witness ex-
larlGed ~ the state and she stated that
lvhle she was attending school ~
Wichita . lSg3 her Uncle went 10 The
school and got her TO take ner home for
the purpose OF spendlg the holidays.
They STAYED over night at the Glads tone
hotel IN this city. both occupyi1g tho
Samc room anl bel. At this iime she
was between twelve and thirteen years
Of age. She also stated that In juno. 1871
she came TO this city In company with
her uncle. Mr.. Lawrence and they stop
ped at the st Charles hotel Here, she
SAYS ne again committed the crime he
is charged with Her testimony was con
sldcrably mixed up sendah 1886 1854
sidc-ably mixed up and she did not seem
az all certain upon any Of the essential
points She said she had tcld her aunt
the story in March, 1895.
The defendants first witness was ia
II,smcr the landlord Of the st. Charles
hotel. His testimony was in regard 10 the
rooms cccrp'ed by the defendant st The
time the crime Is said 90 have been ccm-
mitted His testimony. supported by Mrs.
Hosmer. who testified later completely
upset the theory that n crime was COM
ritted at that time
Judge Kemp. Of Pawhuska, was called
and estihed that ne wrote the affidavit
which was presented to the court and
that the girl dictated TO him. The afh-
GIvit was denied by the girl, she saying
hat she did not know what 1t contained
but that she had signed and sworn TO 1t
simply because she was told that II was
paper TO clear her reputation. The afn-
Glvit states that Sylvester and his wife
Maggie Lawrence. her fathers sister.
had taken her when she was only about
two years old and that her aunt, Mrs
Lawrence had managed and instructed
h,r ever since that time, and by threats
90 destroy her by her aunt, she consented
u say that her uncle had seduced her
The affidavit says that from her smallest
childhood, her uncle had always been
kind and gentle TO her and never offered
TO touch her but that a number of times
he had defended her from her aunt. The
statement was only made ont OF fear Of
her aunt and was untrue. 1t also said
said that she never believed her aunt SO
bad until her trial in the Pawnes court
with her uncle.
Judge Kemp stated that he drew up
the paper and read il over 10 the girl
twice before it was signed and sworn
10 by her
Mr.. Lewis, mother and W. NJ Lewis,
trpfather Of ora were present at the
time the paper was signed and their tes-
timony showed that the paper had been
rsad over twice before 1t was signed ana
hat IL was signed Of her own free will
a reporter talked with a number OF
residents OF the Usage country who are
acquainted with III the parties IN the
case and their opinions snould have some
weight Most Of them think the case was
brought only 10 get Mr. Lawrence out
of the way and to add to Mrs. Lawrence
chance OF getting divorce. The case
was undoubtedly the result OF a success
ful 'rlbbing' scheme by parties who
were interested In downfall OF Mr..
lawrence. Several sensational facts could |
he published in connection with this case |
hould thee ocasion demand 1t. But, as |
Judge Dunn said, before giving his de- |
aision. "Thero has undoubtedly been a |
zine committed ana a much graver one |
han the one charged"
Judge Dunn dismissed isle case agains, |
NJ. Lawrence