The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-08-29
DID NOT KNOW HIM
Lombroso, the CriminoIogist,
Writes TO DR.. Matthews
Of HERBERT SIMPSON
Says Wichita Lawyer Was an
Upright Man.
OF HERBERT SIMPSON

DR.. R. Matthews Of this city received a
latter yesterday from Caesere Lomoroso
of Turon, Italy, regarding the late Her
bert B. Simpson, who claimed to have
been a personal friend ot the noted Grim
inologist and to have pursued his studies
under the instruction of the noted man.
At the time Of Simpsons death by his
own hands in this city DR.. Matthews sent
Lombroso a copy of the Eagle telling of
the suicide, and asking something con-
corning whether Simpson had ever been
q student in that country.
The letter in reply to the one sent Lom-
broso by DR.. Matthews is as follows:
office Of Penal Science and Criminal
Anthropolcgy. Director Caesere LON
broso. Tucno Leguano St, No. g.
MANY thanks for your letter which
you have sent TO me concerning unhappy
Revene Simpson. I think that he be-
longs to a race upright and is one who is
not in his own place.
Perhaps he belongs to sterile or fool
ish race, and in order to prove what I
have said it IS only necessary TO look
upon his past deeds. 1t is a fact that
foolish people belong to class Of medi-
OGRE intelligence.
II did not know him. Perhaps he has
written to me and have sent him some
Of my works, but surely 1 did not know
him. Perhaps he called himself with an
other name. Ravene? Ravene? Ravene?
Truly, 7 do not know him.
IF you send to me his portrait may
tell you something about him.
&C. LOAIBROsO,
"Turon. Italy. August Il, 1900.
ITO r. Matthews, Wichita, Kansas, U.
s. A"
The letter written by Lombroso was in
italian, and it was with much difficulty
that a correct translation could be Sc
cured. A number Of Italians living in
the city were consulted about the letter
yesterday afternoon, and none Of them
were able to tell anything about it,
owing to the peculiar penmanship and
scribbled authorizations all through the
letter.
AS a last resource the letter was taken
to Father lie Grand at the St. Francis
hospital who was formerly in italy and
is well acquainted with the italian Ian
guage.
When it was shown to him he COM
menced TO read it, but with much difficult
~, owing to the penmanship and abbre-
viations. However. after much work the
translation was made complete, TO the
pleasure Of the father.
Father lie Grand commented on the
letter and states that it was from a
great man. He said that he had been
personally acquainted with Lombroso.
and only on account of his being familiar
with the man and his writing it was pos
sible for him to properly translate the
letter
He related that all of his writings were
that Of a busy man whose only idea was
20 get his thoughts down on paper, not
caring how they looked to some one else,
hut only caring that they were preserved
for further use.
Father lie Grand was much interested
In knowing Of the decision of Lombroso
I'm regard to Simpson, as he was well ac-
ouainted with Simpson. Some months
after first coming to the city Simpson
called on Father lie Grand and both
were good friends during Simpsons life
In this city.
The sending OF the letter with papers
to Lonbroso on the part Of Dr. Matthews
was in order to ascertain the real worth
of Simpson. Or. Matthews was well ac-
quainted with Simpson and had known
Of the numerous claims he had made as
10 noted deeds.
Simpson at one time claimed that he
and another young man in this country
were the only two young men who had
ever had the privilege Of studying under
the celebrated crimiuolosist.
One Of the noticeable things in connec-
ton with the letter was the fact that
every one who tried to translate the
italian into English. after seeing whom
Il was from by the printed head of the
letter. was very anxious to know what it
was sbout a majority of the persons Of
italian birth knew much Of their noted
countryman and were enthusiastic about
p lie VII