Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-02-18
Ella Cing|es Bruta||y Mis-
used at Chicago Hotel.
Securely Bound, Assaulted
And Then Tortured.
Letter With Victims Name, Asking
Aid, CompIieates the Case.

Chicago, Feb. 17.-Bound securely,
suffering from laudanum poisoning and
giving evidences of having been as
saulted, Ella Gingles, an Irish lace
maker, was found unconscious today in
a room at the Wellington hotel, /.
downtown hosiery of the first rcputc
One foot was tied to G. bedstead. the
other to a washstand. Her hands were
tied above her head. Letters signed in
Miss Gingles' name but which may not
have been written by her and in which
she said she was about to be or was
being murdered, figure in the case
The police are working on the theory
that the girl was lurcd to the hotel,
piled with drink and ultimately made
the victim of a horrible attack Evi-
dencc that she was subjected to ex-
traordinary tortures and that she
fought with desperation was shown
by the burns. bruises and cuts about
her body and head. A lighted candle
is believed to have been used in the
attempt to subdue her struggles. A
bottle, in which q quantity OF lauda
mum remained, was found.
While being taken to the hospital
the girl raved frequently, mentioning
a woman ard man. Keep her away"
she cried. Don't let her give me any
1rorc to drink; don't let her tic my
hands. She is coming back after me
Lock the door and don't let her hurt
me. She has tied my hands and is go
ing to kill me-"
The letter signed with Miss Gingles
name complexities the case. One re-
jcciv"d this morning by Miss Mary
Joyce, q stcnographcr in the Office Of
Patrick O'Donnell who was Miss Gin
g,cs' attorney. read:
"Mary--Will be killed at the Well.
ngton hotel. Please come. quick.
0Sened CELIA"
This letter was turned over to Chief
of Detectives D'Brien, who made a
hurried trip to the hotel. There he was
told by the clerk that Miss Gingles
WIS not in the house. Later he received
second message saying that Miss
Ginglcs had been killed there. A
search disclosed the crime. which is
believed to have been committed be
fore daybreak.
Miss Gingles is supposed to have
come to this country from Ireland a
few months ago She was a lace max
or, and was employed by Miss Agnes
Rarrette, who had a shop in the hotel
building. After a few weeks employ
ment there Miss Barrette accused her
young employee of theft. This the latter
denied but she was held for the grand
jury The irish Fellowship Club came
to her aid. and Patrick O'Donnell, an
attorney. was retained to defend her.
A clue in the case is said to be call
made at the hotel at O'Clock this
morning by young man about %
years old and we'll dressed. The caller
asked for Miss Gingles. and asked
what room she had been assigned to.
"Thcrc is no woman Of that name
registered here" the clerk is said to
have replied.
II know ID sight better" the Wis
itor retorted angrily. The latter then
left the hotel.
"The stranger told mo that he had
made an appointment with Miss Gin
gIns to meet him at the hotel this
morning" the clerk told Capt O'Brien.
"He said that Miss Ginges was to wait
for him in the corridor near the on
trance and that they Were to engage
rooms | never saw the man about the
hotel before"