The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-01-07
BROKEN IN HEALTH
WHEN Shells FREED
Former Wife of Milwaukee Million
aire Turns Gray While in
Joliet Penitentiary.

CHICAGO. Jan. Mrs. Evelyn c.
Romadka. former wife OF Charles J.
Romadka. millionaire trunk manufac
turer OF Milwaukee, has been released
from the state prison at Joliet. She
Is the woman whose sensational ex.
PLOTS as the accomplish Of a Negro
thief gained her great notoriety a
short time ago After only about a
year within prison walls the once
beautiful woman seemed haggard and
old. Her hair has turned gray dur
Ing her incarceration and she falter-
ed SO that she had to be helped out
Of the prison warden's office by her
relatives.
The release of Mrs. Romadka Is
the final chapter In a remarkable
story which began two years ago last
fall and for time attracted q great
deal Of attention. When it began she
visa guest a. TIE ylctesle hotel on
Michigan-ave.%a ~ IL ed,
handsome woman. suddenly O. ~
Ia. 1907. she was accused or having
stolen $1,000 worth Of jewelry from
the home OF Mrs. Clarence e. Beck,
$500 South Park-ave., and arrested.
From then on starting developments
followed thick and fast. Albert Jones.
Negro. was taken into custody and
part OF the stolen jewels we're found
in his possession. He confessed and
accused Mrs. Romadka Of planning a
number of thefts In which he and she
participated. Her husband came to
Chicago from Milwaukee. and when he
learned of the evidence against her
deserted her. Oct 10 she was released
on bail. but her bondsman, A. j. Ward,
suddenly asked to be relieved as sure
ty and she was sent back to Jail.
Forsaken by everybody, she appear
ed before Judge Brentano Nov. 10,
where, as a final blow, John +. Dono-
van. the attorney employed by the
husband, withdrew from the case.
Then she pleaded guilty and was SEN
fenced to serve an indeterminate term
of from one to 20 years.
Almost Immediately after she was
taken to Joliet campaign to secure
her release was begun by her rela-
tives. They claimed that she was par
tally insane at the time the thefts
were committed Married when very
young to a man twice her years was
claimed led her to take up the life OF
a thief for excitement.
The parole under which Mrs. Ro-
madka was released was issued Dec.
Is by the board Of pardons after a
secret session. Early this week word
was sent to Warden Murphy that she
was to be set free and her brother
and a sister appeared at the prison
to take her away. The place to which
she has been taken has been kept a
secret.
Attorney Maurice McKenna OF Fond
du Lac, Wis. who prepared the petit
ton for Mrs. Romadka's release and
who made the arguments before LIE
board of pardons. said that when all
the facts in the case were known the
woman would be pronounced more
sinned against than SHINING. An unfor-
tunate marriage and unhappy environ
ment were what led her into Grim
inal career. he said.
While nothing could be learned as
to where Mrs. Romadka Is now living,
| II was stated that she intended to take
nm the life of a nurse and to live In
seclusion the rest of her days. During
the months she was In prison Mrs,
Romadka developed religious tend
ency. and II is believed she will ally
herself with some religious institution
and dedicate her life to serving the
unfortunate and the weak.