The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-07-11
ARE THEY PRODUCT
OF DISEASED MIND?
Physicians Say Yes-Women Who
Crowd Court Room Believe
in Girl.
CONTINUED from First Page.)

Those are the real questions that have
stirred an entire city and have awak-
ened interest throughout the country.
That Ella Gingles was in reality
found. bruised. cut. bleeding, bound, and
gagged in a bathroom Of room 527 of
the Wellington Hotel in February last,
cannot be denied Then, as her condi-
ton has since appeared on the witness
stand as she recounted the events Of
that night, her state was practically
trance-like. Here enters the psychology
cal puzzle.
Curtain Rung Up
On Strange Drama.
With its scene Of action extending
from Belfast, Ireland; Quebec, Montreal;
and BeHeviIle. Canada; the Wellington
Hotel, Francis Willard Hospital, and
the criminal court in Chicago, the cur
tain upon the first act Of the strange
psychological drama centering about the
personality of this young Irish lace
maker was rung up January 9 last. At
that time Miss Agnes Barrette, her en-
the Wellington Hotel, charged Ella
Gingles with the theft of $500 worth Of
lace.
It developed later, strange to say, for
almost every move connected with this
case has seemed strange. that Miss
Gingles had gone earlier in the week to
Capt. P. D. O'BTien with the complaint
that Miss Barrette and a woman com
panion had ransacked her own trunk
and taken some valuable lace
II was while an Indictment, desired
alike by her friends. that the mystery
might be cleared. and her prosecutors,
Was being secured that the first sensa-
zion OF the mysterious case came.
On the morning Of February II the
girl was found bound, gagged, aid tied
with cords in the bathroom OF room
62T, the wellington Hotel, Chicago. Her
feet, bound. were tied TO the drain
pipes of the wash basin; her hands were
tied 70 the bath tub. She was in
dazed OF. semiconscious condition. Clad
only IN a nightrObe. bruises. scratches.
and burns are apparent all over her
body.
The manner Of her finding was no
more peculiar than the way IN which
she herself brought it about That
morning Miss Mary Joyce, a stem
Ographer IN the Office Of Lawyer O'D0n-
nell. received a note reading:
"Wif be killed. Come and save me.
Wellington Hotel" Signed ''Elia."
Carpenter Called
To Break Door.
Picking up two detectives on the way,
the hotel. A few employees were
grouped around room 81 when the at
torney arrived. A maid, It was ex
planned, had found the door OF the
bathroom suspiciously locked and the
hotel carpenter had been called in 70
break open the door.
Peering over the transom, BFonston.
the carpenter, espied the bound form OF
Ella Gingles upon the floor. Make
shift cords seemed TO hold her fast, her
hands being tied over her head with
pieces Of string. bits Of corset tWine
and improvised ropes made from parts
Of her clothing. Both feet and hands
seemed fairly securely hound to the
bathtub and drain pipes as before
described.
In all d score OF knife wounds and
scratches were found on the body
Some had bIed profusely. None. how
ever, was sufficient 10 cause death OF
Inconsistencies. Loose hair was found
upon the floor, and in a wsshbowl as
though Il had been used 10 burn aer.
vas found a bit OF candle.
Removed to the Francis Willard
Hospital on the advice Of the note,
physician. who characterized her con
ditiOn as serious Ella Gingles remained
for hours in that same semiconsciouE
state. AT times she grew deIriOus.
screaming out for help and mercy from
those whom she believed we're toIJuring
her.
Keep Ter away" she cried. don't
let her tie my hands. I won't drink
shat stun. went drink II. she coming
back keep her away, shs's going to
XIII me-"
-Four hours these and similar cries
banled the police and the physicians
At last the girl became calnler and
rather disconnectedly at first began u
give partial accounts Of what she de-
clares happened In room so.
Her stories but deepened the mystery
for they were not consistent. Their re-
eitaI bearing all the eaFmarks OF
.fruIffuineSs- known IACls aILeIHAE0 QlS
proved many Of her allegations. Miss
Gingles. undaunted then, just as she
has been. on the stand the past week
supplied another version Of the affair
Each story was startling, sensational
almost ike the creatures Of some dlghtJ
maker OF fiction.
Varying Charges
Made By Girl.
These are some OF the things that TN
girl. on ker cot at the hospital, and il
deepest earnestness, charged:
That she was kidnapped on the street
pepper thrown into her eyes, put in
cab by Miss Barrette anotner woman
and a fnan, and carried 70 the yelling
ton Hotel
That there she was stripped and tor
tured for two reasons, FIRST, because sh
refused TO confess she had stolen tn
lace. second, because it was feared tina
she would disclose a plot involving
prominent man.
That she threw the note calling 70
help over the transOm.
That after being kicked, beaten, GU
about the body. and burned with can
die. she was dragged from Miss Bar