The Washington times., 1907-04-20
Life Insurance Crooks
Only Hope Now
In DiaZ.
State Department Asked
Fair Trial for
Men.
No Further Interference
By Government
Here.

Three Americans are now under SEN
-ence TO be shot in Mexico on the charge
OF having poisoned two other Americans
for the purpose of prohting through the
collection of their insurance policies.
Only the exercise of the executive elem
ency of President Diaz can save them
from execution. After the exchange of
reams of correspondence between the
men now condemned, their attorneys,
and the Texan and Mexican authorities.
the State Department, having assured
them of a fair trial, has just reached
the limit of its resources and is prob
ably convinced of the justice Of the
sentence. 1t will inteTpose no further
objections 10 the imposition of the pen
atty
Story Began in 1901.
The story dates as far back as 1901
and has several dramatic features. In
that year Leslie Z. Hubert (alias c. 7.
richardson was lawyer in Rochester.
y. Y In his office was an attractive
stenographer named Helen Mitchell,
whom ne made his wife. Also in his
employ was William Mitchell, a brother
of Helen, who was afterward known
under the various aliases Of Willis Mer-
edeth. Ward Mannering, William Mason,
and David Sanguinette.
Hubert and Mitchell Disappear.
In May of 1901 Hubert and Mitchell
suddenly disappeared from Rochester
about the time that several indictments
and charges were brought against them
in connection with certain fraudulent
divorces and obtaining money under
false pretenses. Mrs. Hubert also left
Rochester soon after and, although
every effort was made TO locate them, the
authorities were not able 10 trace their
movements.
Arrival in Mexico.
About June I, 1901. there arrived at
Chihuahua, Mexico, a Mr.. and Mrs. c.
T. Richardson. Mr.. Richardson met J.
r Ryan, the New York Life Insurance
Company's agent. and applied for and
obtained a position as an agent of that
company "A month later Harry NJ.
Mitchell arrived. accompanied by a
woman whom he introduced as his wife
Richardson announced that he was his
brOther-in-law. In August 1901. Harry
Mitchell applied for a $4,000 insurance
policy from the New York Life, and his
application was Endorsed by Dr. G. =.
Harle. as medical advisor and examiner.
In January of the following year G. T.
Richardson made application, signed by
lJtAtIEs a
Harle was also the doctor in this case.
Company Pays Two Claims.
In March. 1902. the New York Life
Company received a letter from Helen
p. Richardson claiming the death of
her brother, Harry NJ. Mitchell, 10 which
Dr.. HarIe certified. In the following
June the company received letter from
Willis Meredith, announcing the death
OF his half-brother. James Devers, also
certified to by Harle. Both claims were
paid.
Three days after Mitcheu's death
claim was paid Richardson and his wife
left Chihuahua and went 10 Dallas.
Tex. taking a position as an agent of
the New York Life under its Dallas
branch. His expensive style OF living
aroused suspicion and the company be-
gan an investigation. A detective named
Garrison was put on the case and he
soon. posing as miner. gained the
confidence of Richardson, who pro
posed TO him the scheme of insuring
men who either did not exist OF were
practically on their death beds, telling
him that ne could get substitutes and
the necessary medical certificates.
Detective Leads Them On.
The detective apparently fell in with
his schemes and William Mason.
otherwise William Mitchell was intro
duced. They fixed up the papers for
the insurance of a dying man at $4,000.
At this point Detective Garrison over
heard Richardson and Mason planning
to do away with him as soon as they
returned TO Mexico, and he apparently
thought it was time to call a halt The
New York Life Insurance COmpany's
attorney had them all arrested in FL
Paso for conspiracy to defraud, con-
,bpiraCy TO murder, and forgery Car
bison, of course. was at once released,
but announcement Of the other two was
made IN the courts of Chihuahua re-
garding the deaths Of Mitchell and De
Eers. Their bodies we're eXhumed and
analyzed and signs Of poison discov-
cred.
Dr.. Harle Makes Confession.
Upon hearing of the arrest of these
men DR.. Harle came forward and made
a complete confession. Afterward he
attempted TO claim that what he had
said was mere drunken talk, but all OF
his statements in his confession were
confirmed Dr. Harle stated that Nit
chell died Of strychnine poisoning after
having been in good health and spirits
only a half hour before He was called
in and the death occurred shortly after
ward. He then entered into an agree
ment with Richardson TO make a false
statement as to the cause Of death