The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-07-24
Miss Martha Smith of Fair
field, Ohio, a Young Woman
Of Brilliant Prospects Dis
missed from College.
USE OF DRUGS HINTED
AT BY HER SCH0OLMATES
Her Actions Cannot Be Ac-
counted for in Any Other
Way, They Say-CoIIege
Authorities Act Quickly.

Use of opium, morphine, cocaine,
hasheesh or some other narcotic is as
signed as the probable influence that
led pretty Martha Smith, Of Fairfield,
Ohio, a student at Earlham college
summer school. to steal. Eccentricity
of action such as Is customary to per-
sons addicted to the use OF the pro-
ducts of the poppy is said to have
been marked in the young woman's
case. The police department was call
ed upon and after an investigation,
the restoration of misappropriated
property and the promises of the
young woman to cease the malpractice
no steps toward prose cution were In
stituted. Miss Smith was dismissed
from college by the authorities of the
institution. A young woman of brill
liant prospects, keen intellect and
quiet demeanor her college friends
were surprised and mortified when
her misstep became known. Relatives
in this city are chargined and offer no
explanation.
girls Missed VaiuapIeS.
1t was about two weeks ago that
one Of the young women students re-
ported the loss of money. 1t was be-
lieved to have been stolen. Other CO.
eds complained. also. of the loss OF
small articles but none dreamed that
the guilty person was one of their
number, who was admitted to their
fri
report was made to the college SUI
perintendent an investigation was in
stituted. 1t was but a few days until
suspicion pointed toward certain of
the goods and finally it became more
syident Miss Smith might divulge
some light on the subject Supt. Bal
ley of the police department was call
ed into counsel and he advised fur
ther watching Of the suspect When
1t was believed evidence was culmin-
ating. a representative of the police
department was sent to the college
and held a talk with Miss Smith. Up
lon his suggestion of her guilt and ad-
vice that it would be better to acknow-
ledge the shortcoming than persist in
an unfounded denial, Miss Smith made
known her completely in the thefts.
Attempt to Hush Matter.
The college authorities took prompt
faction. Miss Smith was told she
would have to sever her relations with
the institution Immediately. Upon
Miss Smiths promise to restore all
money and other articles she might
have taken, she was permitted to re-
tire from the college with the under
standing the matter would be hushed
up. The Earlham authorities and the
police superintendent agreed that an
effort should be made to provide as
much protection as possible for the
young woman and as no prosecution
was to be attempted there would be
no information to divulge for publica-
Ition.
The confidence has been observed
but there were others who had be-
come acquainted with the facts and
in the course of a few days the sub.
ject became one for general conversa-
tion among the goods. The sudden
leave-taking of Miss Smith was MOTTO
ed and everyone, who was acquainte
with the fact had not been given the
sign of silence and rumors spread
with remarkable rapidity.
Aroused no Suspicion.
Regular in her class attendance and
in everyway apparently honorable,
Miss Smith had not aroused the sus-
picions of her college companions un-
til the loss of money and small arti-
cles was attributed to her. II Is as
serted by some of the students, but
not given credence by the authorities
that Miss Smith returned to the col
lege after she had promised to leave
and at this time appropriated more
money. This rumor lacks substantial
ton but college students persistently
relate it as fact. 1t is claimed 9th.
er goods have discovered the loss OF
possessions since Miss Smith left.
The use of narcotics is merely a
conjecture among the students and
some members of the faculty. There
is no positive proof for the assertion
but the popularity of actions of Miss
Smith is said to have been similar to
that displayed by users of drugs. Her
eccentricities Of character were no
ticeable and have been spoken of re
peatedly since the duplicity of the
young woman has been ascertained.
Kelly Expresses Approval.
President Kelly was out of the city
at the time Miss Smith was instruct
ed to leave the college. He had beer
told of the action taken during his
absence upon his return and expressed
his approval of the course followed
While 1t is 10 be regretted. it is ne
cessary for all well regulated institu
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