The Washington herald., 1909-03-12

Another chapter in the sensational ro-
nance of Ada German, favorite daugh-
Ter OF the late Senator Arthur Pue Cor
man. and Charles Joseph Magness. alias
Hartlove. is revealed in a letter received
by petty officer on the United States
steamship Dolphin telling of Magness'
release from prison and kis subsequent
journey with his wife In Ontario, Canada.
According to the letter, Magness gained
his freedom from the prison at Ports
mouth Navy Yard about four weeks ago.
and with his wife went across the border
into the British possession. where he Is
now travelling.
officials OF the Navy Department last
night professed ignorance OF Magness'
srelease. Capt Edward H Campbell,
Judge Advocate General OF the Navy De-
partmeut, through whose hands papers
OF release necessarily would pass denied
knowledge Of Magness having obtained
his freedom. Mrs. German. mother of
Mrs Magness. refused to discuss the case.
Created Much Surprise.
News Of Magness' freedom. communi-
Gated TO few friends and naval officers,
created much surprise. as It was net be-
lieved possible for him TO 90 free In lees
than year after entering prison.
The news Of his release recalls the
plucky fight made at the time Of Mag
ness arrest by his bride Mrs Magness
went so far as 70 make a personal appeal
70 Secretary Newberry, and. when this
failed. showed her devotion to her hus-
band by calling upon him at the League
Island Navy Yard. where he was i'm
prisoned on a United States cruiser. Even
after his conviction and sentence Mrs.
Magness continued her efforts TO obtain
his release, appealing to navy officials
and through friends 70 President Roose-
welt.
The efforts OF the devoted wife were
GnaVailing, 4 however, and the deserter
was sent TO the Portsmouth Navy Yard to
serve his sentence.
Capt Campbell said last night that in
certain cases prisoners might be released
after serving two-thirds Of their sentence
Other prisoners, he said. might be re-
leased after serving One-half of their
sentences II ordered by the Secretary OF
the Navy OF the judge advocate general.
IN either case, or IN case of an Uncon-
ditional paraon. said Capt. Campbell, the
papers would pass through his hands. and
20 his certain knowledge. he declared. ne
had seen no papers bearing Magness'
name in the last few months.
EventfuI Romance.
The eventful and thrilling romance had
its inception on September 5 in Louisville,
Ky. when the favorite daughter Of the
well-known Maryland statesman was
married 10 a man many years her junior.
The denOuement came on October 2l
when Magness was arrested in his apart
ments IN the SeIIbach Hotel, Louisville
where he was living with his wife, on
papers charging desertion from the
United States navy. When arrested he
at first denied his identity, but later con
fessed his guilt. In his confession he
drew IN the name Of his wife. Mrs. Mag
ness. nee Miss Ada German, declaring
that $4,000 worth Of government bonds
and 5000 in cash. found in his pockets
when searched. were given him by the
senetor's daughter
When notified OF her husbands arrest
Mrs. Magness was prostrated. Recovering
her strength. the stricken wife went Il
the police station where Magness was In
carcerated and begged to be allowed tC
share his cell Her request was denied
and she returned TO her hotel, where sht
was put under the care OF physicians.
Charge of DesertiOn.
The charge on which Magness was con
victed was of deserting from the United
States ship Dolphin. usually anchored II
the Potomac near Washington. He en-.
listed in the navy as a sailor in Philadel-
phIa on June q. 1901 After severs
months service he was transferred L
the Dolphin as a clarinet player In the
band on that ship. Later he became @
cornetist.
The story Of the meeting OF the Sens.
tors daughter and the sailor, the court
ship. marriage. arrest and conviction, and
subsequent release of the husband and
the devotion of the wife reads more like
fiction than truth
A well-known pfrilanthropiSt, Miss Ada
German. assisted two beggars whom sh,
met in + street one day in August, while
on q shopping tour She called upor
their mother, and becoming interested In
her made her a companion.
The woman befriended asked Miss Cor.
man. a well-known member of the con
gregation of the Vermont Avenue Chris
tian Church, why she did not arrange fol
an orchestra to play at the services
When Miss German gave the matter
favorable attention, the woman suggested
the names Of several men in the navy a:
being eligible for the church choir.
Played in the Church.
The musicians played at the church
and later the orchestra was enlarged, th'
name OF Magness. or Hartlove, as HI
was known at that time, being one o.
those added 20 the list.
Miss German and the cornet player
became friends. and he frequently walked
home with her from church services. A,
their friendship grew, his comrades saw
Continued on Page 2, Column 3.
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