Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1910-08-31
FITCH'S NIECE
CANNOT LIVE
Young Woman Who Shot
Herself While at Hotel
Astor in Bad Condition.
HER IDENTITY REVEALED

cpeC7ut OD CnlEeQ PfGSS ware.
New York, Aug. 31:-Following
her positive identification as Vera
Fitch, of Oakland, Cal, the young
woman who shot herself in the
Hotel Astor, Monday night, was re-
ported today to be in so serious a
condition that she can hardly live
more than thirty-six hours.
While suffering great pain from
her wounds and at times semi-delir-
ious she continues to deny her iden-
tity, although her mother has posi-
lively identified her.
Miss Grace Fitch, sister of the young
woman, is the leading woman for DR..
Perrin, palmist, who Is about to open
at Hammerstein's Victoria.
Some hours before the police began
to suspect that the would be suicide
was Miss Fitch she yielded to the i'm
portunities of the doctors and nurses
far enough to say that her name was
Alice Cole. She gave the name with a
smile, and her demeanor satisfied the
doctors that she was not telling the
truth. An operation was performed
upon the girl late this afternoon for
the removal of the bullet
There is nothing hysterical about this
remarkable girl, who, processing a
wish to attain oblivion, selected the
crowded Hotel Astor, in the heart of
the theatrical district, as the scene OF
her attempt on her life. Even In pain
and suffering from the effects of drugs,
she is calm and determined.
The small pear handled revolver she
used In her attempt on her life was
well aimed. But for a corset steel, the
bullet would have entered her heart.
The steel detected the missile, which
passed through her left lung.
At first the wound did not present a
serious aspect, but symptoms Of blood
poisoning have developed, Then the
surgeons decided to remove the bullet
The girl, before attempting to shoot
herself, wrote three remarkable letters.
These were found after the uncon-
scious girl, clad in rich evening attire,
had been removed to the hospital.
In one, addressed ITO Mother" she
said:
Never reproach yourself for what am
about to do. You have been an angel Of
love to me, and l regret that l cause you
this trouble. The force of fate has proved
too strong for me TO cope with, and 1t
has driven me against the wall. and, be-
ing defenseless, resort to this cowardly
act.
Then too, hate the insincerity, sordid-
ness and dIsIllusionment OF life. That Is
all l have met with face TO face in the
last two years. And now seek the un-
known.
1 can hear you say, dear. 1T is very
wrong for one to take ones own life
whatever the motive be-"
1t is really deplorable that a girl can
not get along honorably in New York.
In some things ! might have succeeded
had l conceded to the wishes OF men
cultured, yes; usually moneyed, yes. but
never moral / could never submit to
such things. Death is preferable. III for
tune has pursued me through.
In letter to "Sister" she said:
Waiting the last two years, have sew
eral times been tempted to do this, and
now l will be successful for the first
time in my life In something that
would not undo IL l could. 1t is hard to
do this, but still harder not to do 1t. Do
not grieve for me. Though l have never
Intentionally said or done an unkind thing
in my life. l recognize that my life has
been a mistake-a hopeless mistake. OBJ
Iiyion is what l want.
In the third letter, to Blanche" she
wrote:
AS with King Midas, everything turns to
gold; in my case everything turns to fail
ure. Think kindly OF me. Remember II
might not have been SO. Mine has been
an unhappy life. Think kindly of me
ask you again.