The Dickinson press., 1902-12-27
SENSATION!
Nellie b. Potter and
lester BarGeEI
Succeed in AdverEis-
ing selves TO
line World.

During the past week Dickinson has
had quite a sensation and Nellie B.. Pot
ter, late OF Mortified, Mimi, and Lester
P. Bartell of Mitchell, S. d., were the
principals in this affair which culmin-
ated On Sunday evening in the elopement
of the former and Frank Smith, a COW
boy who worked at Frank Roberts ranch
last summer.
Nellie Potter came to Dickinson last
fall to teach the primary room on the
south side, and Bartell arrived quite UNI
expectedIy on Thursday evening OF last
week. The girl was not prepared tor
an audience with the Mitchell adh,irer
and she became hysterical and charged
tina, he was insane and that she had
been trying to get away from him. How
ever, letters she had written Bartell and
which had been placed in the hands of
parties in this city showed that she had
been planning to go to him at Mitchell,
probably about Christmas. Some Of the
more recent of these letters give nne the
impression that the girl had had Il change
OF heart and was seeking for an excuse
for remaining a little longer in Dickln.
son. For example, in one letter she says
that it has been intilnated to her that she
could get the county SUPPLEMENTARY of
schools next year and it might be better
for her to remain here. In another let
ter she tells him she has a very hat,er-
ing offer to study medicine with a
local doctor, etc. The letters which Bar
tell had written give the impression,
truly enough, that he was i~nsanelv in
love with the girl; that he would lay his
life down for her, etc. His actions while
in Dickinson bore out this impression.
However, he did not threaten or attempt
her any bodily harm as was reported
on Friday, Dec. 10, and on the
strength Of which report he was
lodged in Jail for a period
of 10 hours. At the hearing no n APP
peared against him, and he was advised
to leave the city by the first train. Be-
fore leaving Saturday evening, however,
by mutual consent, the girl went from
her hotel to another in the city and had
a conference with him. They had one
more weep together and parted quietly.
Bartell stopped off in Mandan and kept
the wires hot for a while on Sunday, in
an effort to get the girl to follow him by
the hex train. But. it was no use.
Nellie Potter had made a very unwise
selection of associates in Dickinson and
she was not inclined to listen to those
who advised her to 60 home to her par
ents in Mortified.
So far as her relations with the school
board here were concerned, she had no
contract, having failed to comply with
the requirements in regard to certificate.
and was paid off and dismissed.
Nellie Potter was formerly Mrs Will
Grove, and it is said that she has taught
school some in Minnesota. A sister,
Mrs. Dougherty, located at Mortified,
Mimi, wired on Sunday to know what
the situation was.
Sunday evening at about Q o'clock
Nellie Potter and Frank Smith left the
city in a rig and the following day they
we're in Medora. Whether they drove
all the way overland or rode out a short
distance as a blind, taking the train the
following day, is not known.
Bartell is a printer, employed on the
Mitchell Republican: He certainly
made a fool OF himself, but that IS the
worst known of him here.