The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1908-08-09
DR., w, LAWRENCE
IN UGLY PLIGHT
IMPROPER RELATIONS CHARGED
WITH BEATRICE HILL, IL
YEARS OF AGE.
Remarkable Story Told by Beth Par
ties-Arrested at Bellevue Hotel
ST. Simon-Local Authorities
Swear Out Warrants.

I, ". ".
who claims to be practicing dentist
Ct that city, well dressed, debonair,
and wearing d Large assortment of
diamonds, is in serious trouble, and is
being detained at the barracks on
state warrants, issued at the instance
of Solicitor General John w. Bennett.
AT the same time Beatrice Hill, a pref
ty young girl, not over IL years Of
age, simple and childish in her man
ner, is being held at the Seaman's
Mission hail. and is practically under
police surveillance.
The affair is q most remarkable
one, and unless Lawrence can pre-
duce some pretty good evidence to de-
fend himsel, he will Ihave to face
Glynn county jury onI an ugly charge.
The couple came tb Brunswick Fri
day morning over the Southern and
Immediately went toE ST Simon, where
Lawrence registeredE for himself and
while occupying theE same room with
the girl, failed to pgace her name on
the register. The proprietor insisted
that this be done, 4 and finally Law
renee wrote the name Beatrice" The
hotel man insisted hhat the full name
beagiven. Lawrence finally wrote the
full name, Beatrice Hill. The fact
that these parties bad spent the night
together in the ftme room was re-
ported ITO officers, land Special Officer
Carroll, on the aSvice of Solicitor
Bennett arrested Lawrence and
brought him to tile city. later having
warrants sworn Gut against him.
tt Q girl was al$p brought over, and
while Lawrence WAS placed in the
city barracks, peneing further invesu-
cation, through Mayor Hopkins, the
little girl was plak bed in the care of
the Seamen's Mission.
When questioned by the officers,
Lawrence stated that he lived in the
family Of the girl>in Birmiu CHAM and
and had always treated her as his
little sister and was here on a pleas
ure trip, having the consent of the
girls parents to bring the child along
with him. He said she was timid, and
for that reason he occupied the same
Pullman berth with her and also oc-
cupied the same room at the Hotel
Bellevue, st. Simon. He protested
that there was nothing wrong in his
relationship with the child, and was
very much distressed and worried
over the developments.
A News representative visited him
in the city jail, where he was being
held, and found him to be in a very
nervous condition and was evidently
very much alarmed over the situation.
He made practically the same state-
ment to the reporter as he did to the
police.
He emphatically denies any wrong
doing or intentions, and insists
that he is only taking the child out
for a summer cutting, with the knowl-
edge and consent of her parents He
tried to reach Birmingham by long
distance telephone but the line was
out of order and he finally used the
telegraph wires, but up to last night
Re had not heard from his kilograms,
which he claims will liberate him.
The local officers also telegraphed
to the chief cf police of Birmingham
for information on the subject, but
had not received reply up to the
time of closing the telegraph Offices
last night, and Lawrence was COM
mitted to cell in the city Jail very
much against his will
The girl fully corroborates Law
renee and claims that there was moth
ing wrong, that her mother consented
for her to come to the seaside with
him and that he has for years been
close friend of the family.
The officers think differently, how
ever and from their viewpoint, it is
an open cGse of abduction on the part
of Lawrence, whose relations with
the child are wholly improper.
Z. The case occasioned considerable
activity in police and general official
circles yesterday. and OF course both
? parties win be held, pending some in
formation from Birmingham.