The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-26
Police Now Relieve Mrs. CuI
bertsOn Killed Herself.
1t Is Reported That She Made
Two Previous Attempts.
WOMAN
LIS Found and Says She Can
Prove an Alibi.
Husband of Dead Wife Clings to
Murder Theory.

| Vincennes, Ind, March 26.-Whether
Mrs. russell Culbertson, the Vincennes
| prioe' was murdered or killed herself
aIter cleVerly manufacturing evidence
I;o ~ Suggest murder, still puzzles the po-
nee: discovery early today in the home
oL the dead woman of a torn piece Of
cIoth which resembles the bandage tied
around her month when she was found,
Iedus the ponce to believe Mrs. Culbert-
son was her own SLAYER The locating
IN Chlcago of woman suspected of
implication in plot to murder Mrs.
Culnertson and the declaration from
TINS woman that she had not been away
from chicago since last July, that she !
could prove an alibi and would be willing |
to come to Vincennes to allay suspicion |
aroused against her also served to indi-
cate that the tragic end to Mrs. CuI-
bertson's life came by self-destruction
NO trace has been found of any |
strangers in the neighborhood of the |
Culbertson home on the afternoon of |
the tragedy. Neither is there any defin-
lite trace as to where the carbolic acid
was purchased. The plaster of paris
skull and cross bones found with the
anonymous threatening letter in Mrs. |
Culbertson's possession was her own
Reports that Mrs. Culbertson twice
before attempted to commit suicide are |
under investigation. She is said to have
taken carbolic acid on one occasion and
on another to have cut a vein in her |
arm.
Though the circumstances point to |
suicide the fact that threats had been /
made against Mrs. Culbertson by jeal- |
Gus woman, her husbands former
sweetheart, is convincing evidence to
the bereaVed husband and other rela- |
tives that murder was committed
There has been much mystery con-
nected with Josie Culbertson's life ever
since she was married three months
ago. Because of anonymous threats, po-
lice have been watching the house and |
no threatening letters have been receiv-
eG since the vigil began about a week
ago.
Calls 1t a Joke.
The Chicago woman who was sought
in connection with the mysterious death |
of Mrs. Russell Culbertson is Mrs. Eta
Longwen. She communicated by tele-
phone today with the Vincennes auth
critics. She regarded the search for her
as a joke and is willing to come to
Vincennes if wanted.
Chief of Police Evan announced to-
day that he was satisfied Mrs. Culbert-
son killed herself.
Jessie Lee Overton Culbertson's life
ended in mystery as it had been en-
known her Intimately assert the myster-
ious circumstances attending her TAX
ing off were in keeping with her char
acter. Her husband today is seeking
tC trace her antecedents.
Mrs. Culbertson often spoke of a
brother, a DR.. Overton. who she said,
resided in Texas. He has not yet been
located. Chief OF Police Evans declar-
ed today he no longer was seeking evil
dence that the woman was murdered.
Before her marriage to Culbertson she
cut an artery in her left arm. DR.. H.
W. Held attended her.
"What did you do that for?" the doc
tor asked.
80, it was an accident she replied,
81 did it with the scissors
After DIR. Held had dressed the wound,
Mrs. Culbertson pulled off the bandages.
Several times he was summoned to re-
dress the wound.
She Was Peculiar.
"She was peculiar woman" said
DR.. Held today. when l heard she
was dead 1 was convinced she had kill
ed herself, and the way she did it was
father and brother lived in Texas, but
never told me where. Both, she said,
were physicians. She was often
Respondent
Coroner Beckes is planning to COM
pare the handwriting on the threaten
ing letters displayed by Mrs. Culbert-
son with her own. None of those let
ters was received in the mail All
were found tucked in corners of the
house and when she found them some
member of the household always was
present.
had been in possession of the miniature
skull and ross-bones found with her
when she was discovered in the shed,
for many months.
This development, with the finding to-
day of a bolt of muslin in Mrs. Culbert-
sons room from which the bandage over
her mouth was taken, are links of evil
dence to support the suicide theory.
She Is the Woman.
Chicago, March 26-Mrs. Ella Long
well. 7O8 West Madison street, who ad
r15its she is the woman referred to in
newspaper stories in connection with
the death of Mrs. Russell Culbertson OF
Vincennes, Ind, declared today that she
had nothing to do with the death of the
woman and denied that she even knew
the wife of Russell Culbertson.
81 at one time was engaged to be
married to Russell Culbertson,' said
Mrs Longwell. THAT engagement was
broken off a year ago last New Years
day. Since that time 1 have not seen
Mr.. Culbertson. We had an argument
at that time because of his attentions
to other women and L decided not to
marry him.
t'The woman whom he finally did
marry 1 have never seen. There is not
a reason on earth why 1 should desire
to do her any harm"
Mrs. Longwen admitted she knew
Virgin Culbertson, a brother of Rus
sell.
Mrs Lorgwell is a typical brunette,
apparently 33 or "a years old and
beautiful woman. She at one time lived
in Vincennes, but says she has not been
outside of Chicago for three months
and can prove an alibi without the least
trouble.