Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-01-10
Letters Read in Court Reveal
Weakness of Former Iron
Willed" Iowa Millionaire
NOTES TO WOMAN ENDEARING
Smell Appears to Have Been Mere Pup
pet to Mrs. Mel am ara, Of Whom He
Was Enamored - A Lark With
Woman Cost a Fortune = Heirs
Making a Strong Case.
Special to Times Republican.

| Special to Times Republican.
Clinton H., Jan. 1O.-The gradual
transformation of Col. Thomas Smell,
the iron willed millionaire who for
merly resided at Fort Dodge, Iowa.
from the self-reliant business man
whose ability was known turnout the
west to mere puppet thru the hyp-
motto influence of young women, was
the picture painted for the jury in
Judge Cochran's court yesterday in the
opening statement for the plaintiff in
the famous Smell will case.
Attorney George j. Ingham told the
story of the old mans love for Mrs.
Mabel Smell Mcnamara, a woman who
is declared to be his grandniece, from
the time he first met her in Emporia,
Kas.. seven years ago up to his death.
He told how under her influence the
aged man gradually learned TO hate
his son and his near relatives. how his
property was dissipated in his efforts
to entertain her. and of the insane in
fatuation which Is told in a pile OF 100
letters which he wrote to her.
One of the chief features of the story
of Col SHELLS supposed mad infat-
uation" will have to do with trip
to Chicago on which he was accom-
panied by Mrs. Mcnamara. On this
trip, it is declared, Mrs. Mcnamara
undertook to show Col. Smell the high
places" of the city. They stayed at a
well known Motel and dined regularly
at prominent cafe. The trip. which
was of but few days duration, is said
to have cost Smell a small fortune.
Further insight into the methods of
the young woman. who is said to have
tanned Col. Smell. was given during the
day by two letters which she wrote to
him. The letters have not been opened
in court but are still being jealousy
guarded by lawyers on both sides who
have hopes that they will never be
made public. The first letter simply
was a request of Col Smells sweet
heart for more funds. For bread and
Clothes" she naively asserts. Pre-
sumption is that it is represented by
one item in long list of checks which
Col. Smell sent to her.
Asked $500 for Clothes.
The letter reads as follows:
Sweetest Darling-Years have
passed since I saw .you-at any rate,
it seems hardly possible that 1t is only
few days since we were together.
Time hangs heavily when I am not
with you to enjoy your smiles and
see your love for me.
Now, daring,I am sorry to have to
speak of other matters just now. but
you know love won't pay for bread
or buy good clothes I need both
more of latter than former want the
clothes because it makes you happy
to see me dressed well. 1t takes hard
dollars to be dressed we'll, and you,
dearie are to provide them. 1t will
take $500 at least to buy things that
7 want-perhaps more.
Now, don't fail me, dearest. Re-
member my position; send it. Thous-
ands of sweetest kisses. hugs. and lots
more, from your own. BABY"
The other letter will be used to show
the "baleful and evir' influence which
il is expected to prove Mrs. Mcnamara
exercised over Col Smell. In it she is
just affectionate. but speaks of sup
posed slurs which she believes rela-
tives of her aged sweetheart cast upon
her. This letter reads:
"My Dearest Sweetheart-Your let
ter written Sunday afternoon was re-
ceived today. You can't imagine how
glad I was to see your dear hand
writing on the envelope the postman
handed to me, for just think, dearest,
I hadn't received a line from you for
a solid week.
TN your letter you mentioned the
fact that one of those relatives Of
yours had spoken slurringly about my
character in your presence. OF course
you know better than I to let them
influence you against me. You do
know how I love you, dearest. now,
de- MT you?
IT love you with all the passion. all
the fire women ever felt for men. I
love you so much more than any OF