davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-09-04

BOSTON. Sept. AFTER having
murdered his wife. cut OFF her head,
legs and arms with butcher knife
and burned them, damned her torso
into a trunk which was shipped from
his home in Somerville 10 this city,
Chester jordan. an actor. is N jail
today He has told the police oG his
crime and OF the incidents leading
up TO IT,
Jordan, who is 80 years old, Is
brother OF Mrs. Jesse l.. Livermore,
wife of the New York Spectator. who
mas recently been accredited with
making millions out of cotton and who
a few days ago is believed to have
lost large part of his fortune. His
parents, Mr.. and Mrs Phineas Jor-
dan. and n sister, Mrs. Kendall, are
prominent In society circles In Somer-
vile
Not unnerved by Crime.
Either Jordan is the coolest self
confessed murderer the police OF Bos-
ton have ever had In their clutches,
or else he is better actor than ne
ever appeared to be on the stage.
Jordan has not attempted to conceal /
any details OF the murder. or Of his at
tempt To hide the crime. but this fact
has not unnerved him in the least.
The murdered woman was known
on the vaudeville stage as Irene Shah
non. She was % years old and
handsome woman. though OF late she
had been dissipating, according TO
Jordan.
About to Sail With Body.
Jordan was arrested by the Boston
police last night, after he had brought
the trunk with the ;nutilated torso
from his home. 500 Me lford-st, Somer-
Vile He came here, hoping to sail
for New York with his gruesome trunk
load He believed he could drip the
trunk and It's contents from the steam
or Harvard and that his crime never
would be discovered. He probably
would have succeeded, had not the
steamer Harvard met with an acct
dent which prevented her from max
ing the regular trip yesterday morn
ing.
On his arrival here from Som2rville,
Jordan engaged Geo. w. Collins, q
hackman, 10 take his trunk TO the
South station, where he Intended
boarding the train for New York after
he found that the Harvard would not
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-09-04

He changed his mind, however and
purchasing Il ticket on the Cunard
steamer Ivernia, which sails today for
Liverpool again called the same hack.
man and had him take the trunk 10 a
boarding house. When the trunk was
taken into the house, Jordon accom-
panied II and sat on the trunk smok-
ing a cigarette while he talked with
The landlady
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-09-04

Jordan then went away and bought
4 roll of wire, wire nippers and eight
window weights which he described
MS "sinkers" and several sheets OF
heavy wrapping paper. With these he
intended TO wrap up the parts OF the
body eff his wife -weight-them- and
throw them into the Charles river.
The weights. papex and wire were
found on mantel in the room with
The trunk.
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-09-04

back on his knees, burying his face
in his hands
Sergt. Crowley staggered back
aghast at the sight disclosed. In the
open trunk before him lay sickening
mass OF hacked flesh. woman's torso
filling the greater part of the trunk,
while pieces OF flesh from other parts
OF the body were stuffed into the cor
ners, the entire interior OF the trunk
being despatched with blood. There
was no covering Of any sort over the
remains.
Turning TO Jordan, who was on the
floor, his face ashen white. and every
muscle in his body quivering. Crow.
ley said:
You are under arrest"
Jordan submitted without protest
to the handouts and was led to sta.
ton 3 and locked up. Giving his name
and address, he declared the body in
the trunk was that of his wife and
appeared perfectly willing TO tell the
officers everything concerning the
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-09-04
Gives the Horrible Details.

For more than four hours last night
Jordan was closeted with the police
officials of Boston and Somerville and
time after time went over the horri.
BILE details. While processing that he
was dazed when the crime was com
mitted. yet by the clearness and con
ciseness OF his statement IL seemed
apparent mat whatever preceded tho
actual killing the most careful plans
were laid for the disposal of the body
and the covering up OF the crime.
Mrs. Jordan was Mrs. Hcnorah
Eddy, whose maiden name was O'Reil.
ly. and whose Nome was In Somervillc
I'm September. 1904. Jordan did not
know who his wife's first husband was,
or what Lad become of him. The coup
le went on the vaudeville stage, Jor.
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-09-04
"cabby" BECOMES susplelous.

The cabman became suspicious
about the contents while carrying the
trunk into the house. Its weight made
him think Ii contained stolen silver.
ware and the nervous manner of Jor.
dan satisfied him that the man was
burglar. There have been many
robberies OF silyerware recent: and
the hack driver, believing he was on
the trail of the thief, went to the po-
lice and told them of the mysterious
trunk. He described the room In the
house TO which he had carried t.
Sergt. Michael Crowley was detail
ed to 20 10 the Hancock st. house and
investigate. When he reached the
house. Jordan was not in, but the po-
liceman was shown the back room on
the second floor which Jordan had en-.
gagged and found the trunk. Crowley
did not open the trunk.
About $50 Jordan returned and on
being accosted In the hallway by the
officer AT first denied his identity. La.
ter. he admitted who he was. Asked
about his trunk, he denied he had
one. He was ordered TO his room BY
the officer, however, and commanded
80 open the trunk. N
Jordan did not appear nervous or
alarmed, but hesitated to open the
trunk and II was not until after con
siderable argument on the part OF the
officer that he produced the key to
the trunk and inserted IL In the lock
A Dramatic Moment.
Turning his head TO one side SO he
could MOI see inside the trunk, Jordan
threw up the cover and then sank
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-09-04

The man who can make children
smile does not need TO worry over
his inability TO preach sermons
Chicago Tribune.
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-09-04

dan taking the part OF tramp and
his wife that of a nurse, In a sketch.
They went first to Butte, Mont. four
years ago. but only remained three or
four weeks as the climate dill not
agree with them. Later they went 10
Chicago and appeared In some OF the
smaller theaters there, remaining
three months. About three years ago
they returned TO Somerville and took
! the first Hat in the house at 500 Med.
7 ford.st
Jealousy Cause OF Deed.
Mrs. Jordan, according to her hus
band, had taken TO drinking % late
and he says was assoc ating with the
other men and he became Jealous
The murder was prompted by jealousy
the police say.
Jordan was born in indianapolis and
his wife was born at sea. Both had
been appearing at the Pastime theater
Boston vaudeville house, for several
weeks until last Saturday when their
contract expired.
On the dresser in Mrs. Jcrdans
room In Somerville torn unstamped
envelope was found addressed u "Mr
c. Dutton. No. 6404 d. Squad. 18th
Lancers. Meerut, India.
The handwriting was that OF a wo
man. Il Is believed that Mrs. Jordan
had written a letter 10 Dutton and
had 1t sealed and ready for mailing
when was-tern- open ard rs con
tents taken. The police believe that
Mrs. Jordan expected to meet button
on his return TO England
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-09-04

Turning his head TO one side SO he
could MOI see inside the trunk, Jordan
threw up the cover and then sank
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-09-04

It's the easiest thing in the world fo'
woman to drive man TO drink.
The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-09-04

On his arrival here from Som2rville,
Jordan engaged Geo. w. Collins, q
hackman, 10 take his trunk TO the
South station, where he Intended
boarding the train for New York after
he found that the Harvard would not
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1908-11-06
TAFT ELECTED.
Governor Hughes Swept In by Re-
duced Majorities.


New York, Nov. 3.-The State of
New York has again registered it's
verdict in favor of the Republican
party, and in the election to-day
gave a plurality for William How
ard Taft for President of the United
States which may be in excess of
IT'S, 900 votes.
The determined opposition Of the
race tracks and other interests
which he had antagonized during
his term as Governor seriously cut
into the vote of Gov. Hughes, and
his majority will, from the figures
received at this writing, be not
more than so, 900 and may fall un-
der that figure.
AT one time during the receipt of
returns there was a SWING for Chan
Ter which made his friends jubilant
and confident that he had succeed
ed in winning the Governorship by
a small plurality. Later returns,
however, wiped out this hope and
made clear that Gov. Hughes would
be elected by a safe margin.
Up State, Judge Taft, in many
instances, ran aha of the aed
vote of Presideni b~oseveltl
years ago.
AS usual, the fl
the State came
something likeV
more than 5000
gave the Demod
there was a mar
the big Roos
years ago.
State, howeva
districts did nj
through
The
lelpd
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1908-11-06

looked for below the BrqI
is every reason to believe
Governor would have beed
Instead of the 126, 0OOi
however, that was countedX
returns at midnight indicate
he would get less than 80, 000}
The most remarkable fe1
the election was the M
which Bryan was slad
New York City. If he the
greater city by any plurali3y what
ever it will be a very small one, and
the later returns may actually give
Taft more votes than Bryan below
the Bronx. t
There is nc question that Tam
many traded Bryan tor Chanler I
wherever possible, and shrewd po-
litical observers expected, under
the circumstances, that the Demo- t
g. torial candidate t
would receive a much heavier vote t
than he did. New York City re- ~
turns came in very slowly. For in
when IS election distrid aRf i
Greater New York had been re
ID, only 26 oem were from
lattan and ex-Famma1
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-07-21
GOOD NEWS.
Many Astoria Readers Have Heard it
and Prohted Thereby.

Good news travels fast" and the
thousands OF bad back sufferers in
Astoria are glad to learn that
prompt relief is within their reach.
Many lame, weak and aching back
lis bad no more, thanks to Doan's
Kidney Pills. Our citizens are tell
ing the good news Of their experience
with the Old Quaker Remedy. Here
is an example worth reading:
Arthur Rookie, Az Duane street,
Astoria, Ore, says: AT the time !
began using Doan's Kidney Pills ]
was suffering severely from pain in
my back and shoulders which de-
scended at times into my limbs. The
pains seemed to be as severe during
the night as in the day and many
times interfered with my rest. At
one time | was so lame that ! was
not able to stoop to lace my shoes
without suffering acutely. My kid
neys were irregular in action and the
secretions were in terrible condi-
ton. At last friend recommended
Doan's Kidney Pills to me so highly
that procured box at Charles
Rogers & Sons drug store. They
helped me from the first and con-
tinued using them until was entirely
free from kidney complaint ] am
now entirely well and, it gives me
pleasure TO recommend a remedy of
such great benefit as Doan's Kidney
Pills"
For sale by all dealers. Price SO
cents. Foster Milburn Co., Buffalo,
New York, sole agents for the
United States,
Remember the name-D Doan's-and
take no other
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-07-21
The ASTORIA PHONE
QUESTION
MAYOR WISE EXPRESSES FA-
voR FOR MUNICIPAL PLANT
DIR. HENDERSON DEFENDS
THE PRESENT COMPANY.

George f. Waggoner, a representa-
tive of the Northwestern Long Dist
ance Telephone Company who is
seeking franchise for his company
attended the meeting of the COM
mon council last night and talked at
lengh OF his system. He claims that
there is not, to his knowledge town
the size of Astoria in the country
that has the automatic system, Tor
the reason he says that the system IS
an expensive one and must have at
least two thousand subscribers to
bring the rates down to reasonable
figure, and stated that he didn't think
| his company could undertake to in
stall such a system in Astoria unless
they were assured that amount OF
business, but, he continued, as an au-
tomato plant would cost about $lo5,-
1000, their present center energy sys-
TEN was giving perfect satisfaction
Throughout the country, and that they
had now in operation about $4,000
more phones than any other COM
pany
If however his company could Sc
cure the franchise for their central
energy system they could make the
rates, for business houses $3.50 and
for resident telephones on two
party line $3.50, he said.
The local telephone company and
| its unsatisfactory service came up for
considerable discussion among the
members of the council last night,
and they all seemed heartily in favor
of an improved system, by the pres
ent company, or by a new company.
The only member who seemed to de-
fend the local concern was Dr.. Hend-
erson, who said that he had been
using his present telephone for about
| II years, and in all that time he never
lhad any trouble getting prompt, and
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-07-21


satisfactory service
Mayor Wise also spoke, expressing
his views of the present system and
recommended that the city take
the matter in hand and Il they could
not in any other way secure better
service to organize a municipal tele.
phone plant,
Mayor Wise said
TO the Honorable, the Council q
the City OF Astoria,
Il have the honor 20 submit for
your consideration an appeal Tor
redress from the Astoria Chamber OF
Commerce, The facts therein stated
are so well kitbwn and the delinquen-
cies OF the Pacific States Telephone &
Telegraph Co, are so glaring that a
recital Of them at his time would be
supernuous, Two years ago the
Home Telephone Company applied
for a franchise the old combine pre-
sented remonstrance signed by a
number OF business men also promis-
ing as usual a more modern system at
an early date, ut their service today
would be disgrace to Skookom
Creek; il is a system that in olden
days tickled the ears OF our great
grand fathers, system which future
generations will look upon as one Of
the curiosities of the 18th century;
but to us today il is nothing more
than a patented aggravation, Astor-
ians are known to be a generous,
long suffering people; during To
these many years they have paid a
fortune into the combines Golfers,
sufficiently large to build dozen tel
ephone lines for hours have the busy
public stood at these old coffee
grinders, thinking words no diction-
airy has ever dared 10 print, they have
swallowed annoyances that would
have ruined the digestion and COM
pletion OF communities more distant
from the invigorating sea air than
Astoria; but hope deferred maketh
the heart sick; patient as they are
the boss Tweed methods OF the Pa
cihc Company are more than the
people can endure and we, the peo-
ples' representatives, should termi-
nate this imposition once and for all.
liz responsible opposition company
will in good faith apply for a fran
chise, We should then with open arms
grant them reasonable franchise
only insisting, that they provide a
modern system and that they furnish
a good and sufficient bond. that such
new company will begin work as soon
as practicable and complete II at the
earliest possible date. II such new
company does not meet with our rea'
sonable demand then | suggest, that
your honorable body make use OF the
power given TO you by the people at
the last charter election and proceed
with the establishment OF municipal
telephone plant, insuring to the peo'
pie the best possible service, as well
as providing an additional source oi
revenue to the city In order that
expedition be a proof Of your SINGER
lity hope that you will provide Tor
the immcdiat appointment OF a com
mittee to carefully look into the ad'
visibility OF building municipa
telephone plant regardless OF any
other proposition, so that, il any op
position company fails to meet th'
popular expectation or by any chance
becmes absorbed in the watered stool
Of an old company the council viii
then be in a position to act withou
loss Of time"
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-07-21

From the Mayor TO the city coun-
Gil. in regard TO the telephone situa-
ton in the city Of Astoria, referred to
committee on ways and means and
city attorney.
From John Hahn regarding the
ground slides at the Improvement OF
Commercial. street was read and plac'
ed on file,
Remonstrances.
From Joseph Bernard protesting
against the assessments as made on
Sth street from Harrison to Kensing'
ton avenue, as pertains to lot ), block
l20, MeClure's was referred to the
committee on way and means and the
attorney,
From Mrs. Annie Trullinger against
the construction OF a bulkhead in the
improvement OF Commercial and Srd
street to lot !, block ;, n. Tract was
ierred TO committee on streets and
public ways and the city attorney
Reports.
OF the chief of police OF licenses
issued (sundry) for quarter ending
June 30, 1908. was adopted
OF the auditor and police judge for
quarter ending June 80, 1908, which
was read and referred to committee
on ways and means at the last meet
ing was adopted.
OF the city surveyor regarding the
drain on Irving avenue from lSth
street TO 10Th street was adopted,
Statements.
OF the city surveyor OF amount OF
work performed by E. A. Gerding on
his contract with the city OF Astoria
to improve Irving avenue from llth
to 18th street. The report was adopt
ed
OF auditor and police judge for
month ending June 80, 1908, report
was adopted.
Quarterly report of the City Treas
urer was adopted.
Building Permits.
Application from the Banking Saw
ines & Loan Association for build
ing permit was granted.
Certificates.
Certificate OF improvement OF Ex-
change street from the west line o.
10th street to the east line OF 9tf
street for the sum OF S6.25 was
adopted.
OF approval for improvement oi
llth street from the south line oI
Exchange to the north line OF Frank
lin for the sum of $s25 was adopted
OF completion of Melbourne from
Columbia to Alameda was adopted.
! Assessment Roll.
| No. l68 for the improvement of lZti
street from Commercial to Duane
report was adopted.
| No. 166 for the improvement o
lllth street from Exchange to Frank
! lin avenue was adopted.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-07-21

The regular meeting of the Com
rnon Council was held last night at
the city hall with all the councilmen
present except Councilman Belland.
Mostly routine business was tran
sacted, lathough the local telephone
company and the unsatisfactory serv-
iee came up for considerable discus
sion,
As the city hall insurance policy
with the present companies has nun
sut, and in view OF the high rates
charged by the local companies, a
committee was appointed to investi-
gate out of town insurance COM
panies, and if better rates could be
secured the committee is authorized
10 take out policies with them in part
or whole as they thought advisable.
The above was put to motion and
was carried by a vote Of 5 nays and
5 ayes. The city hall heretofore was
covered by $4,000 policy. No in
surance being carried on the furni-
ture and fixtures. it was therefore.
after a vote, decided to add $1,000 to
cover the furniture and fixtures thus
making the total insurance carried on
the building $25,0O0.s
The business disposed of during
the meeting was as follows:
Petitions.
From L. A. Carter in regard tc
fhe construction Of sewer on 18th
street from Irving to Jerome was
placed on file.
Petition from Mrs. Leinenweber BY
II. g. Leinenweber, asking to be al
bowed to redeem lots and 6, BLOCK
IS .Adair's, for amount the said lot:
we're sold for, to the icty, together
with interest at the legal rate and tc
be exempt from penalty. The repor
was adopted
From Frank Patton asking that
euit claim be issued him for lots
and 6, block III, Shively's, fraction
of said lots were sold to the cit,
June 16, 1902, was referred to com
nittee on ways and means and tn
city attorney.
Ordinances.
Confirming special assessment rol
No. 166 of 18th street from Exchang
TO Franklin. The rules were suspend
I'd and ordinance read third time an
passed.
Confirming special assessment ro
10. 168 at 18th street from Com
snercial to Duane streets. The rule
Etre suspended, read third time an
passed.
Appropriating the sum of Sl2l2.2
cut OF the special fund for improvin
Melbourne avenue from Commerce;
10 Alameda avenue for John Slott
was read the first and second time
Appropriating the sum Of $235O.t
cot of the special fund or improvin
Columbia avenue from Melbourne t
Lincoln avenue for the benefit of Joh
Slotte. was read the first and secon
time.
Accepting the improvement of E'
change street from 10th to 9th street
Was read third time and passed.
Accepting the improvement of lit
street from Exchange to Frankli
avenue. Rules were suspended an
ordinance read the third time an
passed.
Appropriating out OF the genera
fund for improving 9th street fror
Harrison to Lexington avenue tn
sam of $265 for the benefit of job
sfotte was read the third time an
passed.
Appropriating out Of the specia
fund for improving 9th street fror
Harrison to Lexington avenue tn
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-07-21
COUNCIL Meeting
Rany Matters Of a Routine Nat
ure Disposed OF
PRoNE SYSTEM DISCUSSED

$4,000 Insurance Policy Expires on
City Hall and Out of Town Com
panies May Sign up New Policies in
Preference to the Local Companies.
The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1908-03-25
COULDN'T
LOSE HIS WIFE
Author an4 His Affinity Captured by
tie Formers Very Much Better
Half and Forced to Return to
the Path of Duty

Tacomd Wash. March 25.-Aftcr
following her husband. Winston Il.
Reed, and his actress companion
across the United States. tracing
them through principal cities Ny their
wine suTperS and thratrr parties. Mr..
Garnet R,alc. daughter of Il wealthy
plantation owner in the vicinity of
Lamar. Miss. at the point Of 1t re-
voIver last night, forced him to re-
turn to her. and. on finding til" NO.
man. Grace Aitl:en. u be an old play
mate. bought Il ticket To- New York
for her
About six weeks ago. Winston +.
Rcade ana his wife started Oh 1t tour
If the United States and We're stop
ping at the Gibson House in CinciH-
matt when !tcHhc met Miss Grace Ait
ken. daughter Of Il southern planta-
ton owner. and II stage beauty. The
two spent several evenings together
i'm Cincinnati. and Rc;tde was pcrSuad~
ed to desert lis wife and start west,
They visited st. Louis. Kansas City.
Denver, salt Lake city. San Fran
cisco and finally reached Tacoma with
Eeade'S pockets empty.
On March the pair registered IA
the Bay View hotel as NJ J. Smith
and wife. He tc!egraph"d home for
money. bun his wife had arranged
with their banker and his telegram
was returned. Three days afte.
Rcade disappeared his wife took w
the trail She waS uShered to the
door of the room here occupied by
her husband and the woman.
Her KNOCK was answered by the
woman she had sworn to kill. When
the door opened she stood facing an
old playmate and the revolver shl
carried fell from her hands and she
almost tainted. Recovering the re-
vOlver., she ordered Miss Aitken tt
lack her trunk and suitcase. At sight
Of his wife Reade fell to his knees
and pleaded for forgiveness. At the
point of the revolver she forced him
to kiss hel repeatedly and then carry
Miss Athens suitcase to the railroad
station, where she purchased her ::
ticket for New York and saw her off