The Ellensburg dawn. [volume] (Ellensburg, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1902-06-28
The Underwood Case.

Never in the history of our state, has
a crime brought out so much discussion
ON social problems, as the recent child
murder at Ballard. Seattle and vlcini-
ty is the Mecca of crime, and thither
went the father and mother who plan
ned and perpetlated the awful deed.
Never before, even in Scattlc'S crime
stained borders, had there been II crime
such Us this.
Western Washington is all aroused
over the developing particulars, the
capture of Paul Underwood hiding in
the woods near 1okcland, and hi, UNI
believed assertions of great love for his
baby.
In the workshops, in the offices, in
the churches. and among social gather
iugs, men and women are discussing
with vchcmcnce their opinions ON socl-
ology in connection with this criminal
affair.
And the deeper they 90 into the quea-
tions the farther are they taken across
the border-lne of taboOcd subject
1t is we'll to have conscience quiccncd
at times by turning attention to the
enormity of certain crimes and the Lax
ity of law in regard to fcrretng out
grave misdecd-.
There i, no calling on earth in which
it is more necessary to have Il clear
Wow of all the conditions of human be-
ings. than in the administration of true
Justice.
Deliberately planned, evil doing is
far different from the crimes of ignor-
ance, especially when the culprt had
but narrow opportunities for becoming
enlightened
However, a> the Underwood ease
stands at present there seems to be but
,lipht cXtrnuating circumstances. The
girl i, very young in both years and APP
pearancc, with blue eyes and light curl
ing hair.
Her folks are prominent people of
Aberdeen. and great sympathy was
manifested in their locality for both err
ring children and their parents.
Many are of the opinion that greater
stress should be laid upon honorable .
principles in the rearing of the young .
That false honor ARISES from the
pointing out of particular social casce
the condition, of which will never be
repeated. The true honor i, not fear
Of public opinion: it lie, deeper than
that and ha. it, root in convictions OF
ri ght.
False indeed must have been the hon |
or of man and woman. with their
first born. who could substitute murder
fo, parental love. The first deed va,
offensive in the eye, of truly honorable
people But to cover it. crime of the /
most damnablc kind wa, committed.
At first the trend of public opinion
was TO exonerate the woman. one
man al $50 eXoncratcd the husband in an
article written on the affair. Hi,
reason was that Paul Underwood did /
the Cccd to protect the VIE honor .
This view of the subject did not seem
justified by thcr hi, prcvou, or sub /
,cuuent actions. \, soon as captured
he placed the blame upon his wife .
Repul>iOn. is the feeling this remark
has aroused, for not once had Nellie /
Underwood implicated her husband.
She mentioned that he was under the
influence of liquor when he took the
child from her on the street. y man
under the influence of drink can intim-
idate most women and great pity wa,
expressed for her. 1t is said that Mel
lie Underwood i, far prctticr than any
Of her pictures portray.
The youthful parents, the helpless.
innocent baby. the heartlcss crime per-
petrated while under the stimulating
effects of that awful curse liquor, are
some of the details which attract the
attention of all to thi, unparalleled
case.