Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-22
SOUGHT ELKINs' AID
LIEUT.. OWEN WROTE FRIEND HE
BETRAYED.
Admitted He Forged Young Mans
Checks and Begged Him to
Have Them Paid.

According to the New York journal Lieut.
Alfred Crosby Owen addressed the follow
ing appeal to Stephen B. Elkins. jr.. from
Jefferson Market prison yesterday:
my Dear Steve: I am heart-broken
without friend here-not lawyer. will
explain to you later my crazy doings.
Now. for Gods sake. and for past friend
ria and IS to the Fifth Avenue Hotel to
ease the disgrace of penitentiary and fam
lily, and ask them not to prosecute me?
II am in close confinement in the Jeffer-
son Market prison and will be moved to
the Tombs tomorrow. I am sick-heart-
sick-and crazy. Fifty-five dollars will save
me from the penitentiary. Please answer.
CROSBY OWEN.
"P S.-If 1 get out l shall get employ
ment in Panama South America" -,
1t was the despairing sequel of forgery
charges preferred against Lieut.. Owen by
the Waldorf-Astoria and Fifth Avenue Ho-
tel arrangements. who allege that he
cashed checks for $50 and S. respectively
In the name Of the younger Elkins, says
the Journal.
Arraigned in Police Court.
Lieut.. Owen was arraigned in Jefferson
Market court yesterday. and after waving
examination was held in 81. 500 for trial in
the court of general sessions.
Lieut.. Owen admitted yesterday having
forged the name of hts young millionaire
friend at both the Waldorf and the Fifth
Avenue hotels. His remarkable confession
covers period of several weeks, in which
ne mas oeen travelling over the country in
a private car. impersonating young Elkins.
A pretty young woman, an actress is de-
clared to have been his companion.
Yes. he said. 'in a moment of what
must have been lunacy out in Chicago I
chartered a private car, using the name of
A. c. Osborne. On that occasion I did not
use the name Of Elkins, although I NAV
have done so and have forgotten it."
What was your object in travelling under
an assumed manner" was asked
Well-er-you know. there was a friend
with me. woman, whom 1t was not ex-
sSa a desirable to be known in the affair
Philadelphia where her name is we'll
known. My companion bid me adieu at
the Waldorf and returned to PhiIadelnhia
before the trouble occurred"
The name OF a well-known actresa wo.
mentioned to Lieut.. Owen. He denied anv
acquaintance with her. either as Stephen p
Eikins. jr., or as himself 80
Chlcago to Rock Island" said the ex-lieu-
tenant in order to meet some friends com
Ing from the west"
When the case was called DR.. Nelson. ac-
dompanled by C. w. Raborg, a real estate
the defendant. Mr.. Raborg said that he
was a brother-in-law of the prisoner. and
declared his belief that his relative wa,
mentally irresponsible. He said further that
the 1amlIy had known for some time that
Lieut. Owen was suffering from mental
trouble. 80 81
Taken Back to Cell.
When bail had been fixed Lieut.. Owen
was taken back to his cell. He at once dis
patched messages to Attorney w. G. Craw-
ford. who is associated with Spencer Trask:
former Secretary of the, Treasury John G.
Carlisle, and to Attorney Marshall Gasauet
OF NO. 30 Nassau street, living at the Met
ropolitan Club He said they were all close
Iriends OF his family. and he hoped they
would assist him in his trouble
Stephen B. Elkins. jr confirmed his story
IN SO far as the Owen family being one of
distinction in Washington and as to the
young omcer having at one time been his
ant was grandson of Rear Admiral w w
Queen and a son of Surgeon Owen of the
United States navy. Surgeon Owen and all
his family. save Lieut.. Owen and sister,
succumbed to yellow fever epidemic at
Tallahassee Fla
Mr.. Elkins said:
Il would willingly make good the two
checks which Lieut. Owen is said to have
the fear that he has been indiscreet in
other sections of the country. This morn
Ing l received a bill from the Chicago,
Rock Island and Pacific Railroad for a pri-
'oeo "a. itohi SiiCdso 10 ROCK 1Sldno II
seems the car was pretty well provisioned,
and 1t also seems that it was engaged in
my name. l am not yet sure that Lieut..
Owen palmed himself off as me on that
occasion. but fear he did" .
Mr.. Elkins denied the story of his having
been travelling with a woman as ridiculous.
he said that 1t may hav earisen in the
fact that he recently returned from a trip
to the Pacific coast and was in Chicago a
few days following the departure Of Lieut..
Owen and his compa Mon for this city, He
said that he understood the Owen family
was at present Summering art North HALEY,
Quebec, and that he would notify the rela-
tives.