Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-13
WISHED MOTHER DEAD
Girl WouId-Be Matricide Now
Continually Cries for Parent.
HER SANITY IS DOUBTED
Plotted Murder With Detectives She
Thought Were Thugs.
PAID OVER 500 ON ACCOUNT
Promised to Give $500 When She
Came Into Insurance and Estate.
Mother Discredits Story.
HER SANITY is DOUBTED


CHICAGO, November 13.-Further ac-
tion in the case of Miss May Otis, arrest
ed here last night charged with plotting
to bring about the murder Of her mother,
will depend upon the result of an exami-
nation to determine the prisoners mental
condition.
This statement was made today by
Chief of Detectives OBrien after he had
seen that the prisoner. who was pale and
hysterical, kept calling constantly for her
mother.
Later Capt. O'Brien ordered the prison.
er brought to his Office There Lieut. Cuu-
more recognized her as a woman who
four days ago came to the station.
She had complained somewhat vaguely
that her mother thought more of her
money than she did of her daughter. She
told the lieutenant that her mother had
several thousand dollars left by her hus-
band and that she refused to share it
with her daughter.
What She Told Police.
81 went to Detective Stolpman's office
for advice" said Miss Otis. Il wanted to
look into my mothers financial affairs
and / told him that my mother thought
more of her money than she did of me.
thought that 1 would be happier if had
control of the money.
"Stolpman promised me that my mother
should 'mysteriously disappear When l
asked him what he meant he said he
would get my mother out Of the way and
keep her away if l was willing to pay
the price.
He suggested various methods. and 1
finally agreed. I don't know why.
I'VE quarreled, my mother and /. But
l loved her and certainly wouldn't want
| la,. lii NJ hn1f cyt Shn ha cd
me right
During the interview Capt. O'Brien sent
for the city physician to resolve doubts
arising from the prisoners manner and
story as to her sanity.
Mrs Sarah Otis, Miss Otis mother was
interviewed by telephone at Mansion,
Wis, today. With reference to the state
ment made by detectives who made 1.-THE
arrest that Mrs Otis was TO be muir
dered by hired thugs upon her return
to Chicago Saturday night, Mrs. Otis de-
clared she had not intended to come to
Chicago On that day. had made no plans
in fact and had not been urged by her
daughter to come.
Mrs. Otis Incredulous.
Mays last letter. said Mrs. Otis, was
quite as usual and made reference to
my coming home She was a cheerful,
normal girl, and I am sure she is vic
tim Of some preposterous mistake.
II gave her money sometimes but she
seldom seemed to need 1t. She was Ill
a great deal last summer. ! wanted her
to stop work, but she did not care to fol-
low my advice
1--WE never had any trouble. She was a
good girl and loving daughter.
1T was in this interview that Mrs. Otis
learned of her daughters arrest. She
expressed her intention of coming at once
to Chicago to the girls aid.
Miss Otis is alleged to have aDDrOached
Robert c Stolpman. q private detective.
with proposition to do away with her
mother for a consideration Of 500, to
bind the bargain, and 500 when the
deed had been accomplished.
Stolpman informed the city police. De-
tective Mackay was detailed to assume
the role Of a thug" willing md compe-
tent to do a job" which would have no
hospital prelude.
What She Told Police.
Every arrangement had been completed
with the thugs last night Miss otis
paid over the 500 to bind the bargain.
The following receipt was taken from
her person after her arrest:
Received of Mae L. Otis. $40 East 46th
place, 500; balance due, $2,4OO.
ROBERT c. STOLPMAN."
1t is also alleged that Miss Otis gave
Stolpman a promissory note for the s.. 100,
payable after she had collected her motu-
er's small fortune.
Following the delivery of this note the
thugs made known their true identity.
The arrest was made.
The prisoners first visitor today was
Miss Anna Stuvinga, cashier of a res
taurant near the Rock Island station.
Miss Stuvinga declared she had -yersuad-
ed her employer to lend to Miss Otis the
500 said to have been paid over by the
latter to the detectives.