The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-06-30

made with them. In the midst of al,
Mr.. Rogers died and that complicated
things still more.
When we at last got Strengthened
out again." continued Miss Clemens.
I'VE put the matter in the hands Of
John b. Stanchfield. At this stage
Miss Lyons-Mrs. Ashcroft. yes, that
was what she called herself--develop-
ell a sudden case of nervous prostra-
ton, due. she said, to the delay, and
she and her husband decamped to
England by way Of Holland, sailing
on the 9th of this month. Shortly af-
ter that the report from Mr.. Stanch-
field came in. and 1t was of such
nature that 1t warranted father to get
out writ of attachment on the prop
erty he had given her for $4,000.
The report showed that instead of
$1,000. Miss Lyon had expended over
$S.600 on her house alone. Now,
where could a woman earning $50 a
month find money for that? Besides,
1t showed that her check book cred.
tied an amount exceeding $9,70O,
credited to cash."
Here Miss Clemens leaned over and
began to speak very frankly:
II have run fathers household for
him myself, and know just about
what 1t costs. That $4,000 was all
drawn during the years 1907 and
1908. Every single bill except small
sundries and occasional travelling ex-
penses Is paid by check. and 1t all
shows on Mrs. Ashcroft's book.
Now, what did she do with such
an astonishingly large amount of
'cash?'
But this was not the worst of it,"
went on Miss Clemens. "This investi-
cation also showed power Of attor-
ney given to both Miss Lyon as she
was then and Mrs. Ashcroft In No
vember. 1908. which I believe was the
most broad and comprehensive instru-
ment Of the sort ever executed. The
lawyers agree with me. too. 1t was
such a paper as no one would have
signed II he had read 1t, yet 1t bore
my fathers signature. He distinctly
says that'he never knowingly signed
any such thing. and the two witness
es. former gardner and stable man
Of ours. when they were spoken to,
said positively that they had never
seen II before.
This power Of attorney had been
iled everywhere that 1t could be Of
any use to the holders. and there Is
no telling what they did under Its pro-
lection. That. of course. we revoked
at once"
Questioned as to what further ac-
ton her father intended taking In the
AFFAIR. Miss Clemens replied.
I'VE are going to keep right on with
the investigation, Mr.. Stanclhheld and
Charles B. Lark are still at work
upon II We want to find out just
what Mr.. and Mrs. Ashcroft did under
that power OF attorney. and we should
also like to get itemized bills from
stores which were paid In check by
Mrs. Ashcroft. without giving any hint
OF what the money was paid for"
"Will you have the couple recalled
to this country for trial?"
II believe that is what is being
planned"
And following a civil trial, will you
have criminal one?"
THAT has not been gone into az
yet. but II have anything to say
about 1t We certainly shall"
Mrs. Lyon. mother of Mrs. Ashcroft,
insisted that her daughters depart
ure for Europe had been occasioned
soley by failing health.
"She will return in the fall, I ex-
pect." said she. "and will answer any
charges that they may care to make
against her. But am certain my girl
Is innocent of anything wrong"