Los Angeles herald., 1909-05-03
DESERTED GIRL
TRIES SUICIDE
F0RSAKEN BY MAN WITH
WHOM SHE EL0PED
Wife Pursues Couple from Rochester
and Wins Back Husband-Girl
Twice Attempts to End
Her Life

(continued from Page onel
police station to see the chief. The girl
begged him not to take her. but after
finding that she would be compelled to
go, asked Shreiner to leave the room so
she could put on her street dress.
swallows chIoroform
The officer left the room and waited
on the sidewalk for the girl to appear.
Considerable time elapsed and the Off
Ger was about to re-enter the house and
find out the cause of the delay when
one of the occupants of the place ran
to his and asked him to come up
and see the young woman before taxi
ing her to the station. Shreiner hurried
into the house and Just as he was en-
tering the room the girl seized bottle
of chloroform from a nearby table and
placed 1t to her lips. The officer sprang
forward and knocked the bottle from
her hand, but not before she had swal-
lowed a portion of the deadly drug.
Shreiner then obtained some mustard
from roomer in an adjoining apart
ment and made the girl drink solu-
ton of water and mustard. After
few minutes heroic treatment the girl
was brought out of danger and prom
Used not to make another attempt at
self destruction.
She was taken to the central police
station to the office of Chief Dishman,
where she told her story between sobs
and pleadlngs to be. released and al
lowed to lead a better life,
According to the young womans
story to Chief Dishman she lived with
her father, a travelling brick mason, in
Rochester. Her father was away from
home greater part of the time and as
she had no means of occupying her
time decided to obtain work. While in
search of employment she met Dunster,
Who at that time was proprietor of
restaurant. He seemed impressed with
her and gave her position as cashier
in his restaurant.
Sought Divorce
He made advances, which she said
were favorably received by her, be-
cause, she said, it was case of love at
first sight with her. She says he plan
ned to use his ENHANCEMENT with her
as a ground for divorce from his wife,
from whom, he told her, he had sepa-
rated.
She agreed to leave Rochester and go
to Los Angeles, she says, while he
promised to get a divorce and marry
her.
They made their arrangements, ac-
cording to the young woman's admis-
SlOI, september l1ucs anu iSAN W
that date for Los Angeles.
They obtained apartments at the Ho-
tel Clarendon, where, she says, they
lived as man and wife for a short per-
iod, when they left that hotel and took
rooms in South Hill street.
They lived happily for time. Duns-
ter, an expert carriage trimmer OBJ
tanned employment with the Capito
Carriage works, and the girl, to pass
her time and to assist in the support
of the two, obtained position as wait
ress.
Dunster made no effort to bring suit
for divorce, and she told him they must
part. Accordingly Dunster left her and
took apartments elsewhere. He con-
tinued to visit the girl, and three weeks
after he had moved from her room his
wife arrived. Matters evidently were
satisfactorily explained to the latter,
and the reunited husband and wife
rented a house at 1893 West Twentieth
street.
Sees Couple Together
Miss Duncan did not know of the
presence of Mrs. Dunster in the city
until Thursday when walking in Broad
way she saw Dunster and his wife
walking arm in arm and chatting
pleasantly. The young woman followed
the couple to their home. Then after
satisfying herself that Dunster had re-
turned to his wife and there was no
hope of her marriage with him, she re-
turned to her room and attempted to
commit suicide by drinking a quantity
of bichloride of mercury solution. The
prompt action of roomers who discov-
cred her soon after she drank the
poison saved her life
The next day Patrolman ShrelI1er
learned of the matter and began in
yestigations He questioned the girl,
but made no reference to taking her to
the police station. The young woman
evidently fearing she ultimately would
be placed under arrest made second
attempt to commit suicide by taking
poison, but as in the first case was dis
covered before the drug took effect.
After Miss Duncan was questioned by
Chief Dishman the latter took her to
the county Jail and placed her in the
care of Matron Shehi, who will care for
the girl until this morning, when the
matter will be taken before Judge Will
bur of the juvenile court and also in
the hands of the Humane society Off
GERS.
Questioned by Chief
Dunster was questioned by Chief
Dshman, but was quite reticent about
the-matter and the story he told was
far from satisfactory. His statements
are said to differ from the story of the
girl and he will be held until the mat
ter is thoroughly investigated.
Miss Duncan is employed as a clerk
in a department store here and prom
Uses If she is released and not compelled
to return to New York she will lead a
new life in the future.
1t is probable she will be allowed to
do as she asks and will be looked after
by agents of the Humane society.
--oSe-