Evening journal., 1911-06-28
MRS. ASHMEAD
FACES TRIAL
Inspector Plummer Tells How
as Helen Anderson" He
Wrote to her
SHE DENIES THAT she
SENT OUT TIE LETTERS

Mrs. Elizabeth Ashmead. accused Of
1ending Objectionable matter per-
tanning to Illegal operations through
the United States mail was called for
trial in the United States Court here
this morning with Judge Edward G.
Bradford on the bench Mrs. Ash
mead, dressed in a brown coat suit,
sat beside her attorney. James Sauls-
bury.
District Attorney Nields in outlin-
ing the Governments case before the
jury referred to the first and second
counts In the indictment against Mrs.
Ashmead and read copies of letters.
alleged To have been sent through
the mails by her
PostofIice Inspector H. S. Plum
mer, who made the arrest. was the
first witness. He said his attention
had been called to the womans
presence In the city. and OF certain OF
her doings. On May 10. In the corridor
of the Postofiice she was pointed out
to him. He followed her, he said, and
found her at No. 205 East Fifth street
He identified a letter he sent on May
II. addressed to Mrs II. Lambert AS
the prosecuting attorney asked that
the letter be read, James Salisbury.
attorney for Mrs. Ashmead, objected.
He claimed that he had no knowledge
OF the letters, as they were not set
out in the indictment.
Following argument the letter was
l ,J,,ntffoJ a., ,.ttdoVaa Thfo Iaffnfs xyo q
written by Inspector Plummer, and
signed "Helen G. Anderson"
Plummer Tells of Letters.
The one received in reply was dated
May 10. 1911, and asked that Miss
Anderson" call at No. 205 East Fifth
street and was signed Mrs. H. Lam
bert" Mr.. Salisbury objected TO the
submitting Of the letter sent by IN
spector Plummer in reply, and the
court overruled the objection
This letter stated. that "her" friend
from Virginia was coming. on and
she desired to know what it would
cost for a certain operation.
The second letter. alleged to have
been sent by the defendant was sub,
mitted and stated that the Anderson
XIII nMVNlU vail anu NNIA AlAANh WOUAAi
be satisfactory and not to worry.
The reply sent by Inspector Plum
mer was admitted without objection
and It said that her friend had ar
rived.
This brought a reply stating that
she could stay In her, (Mrs. Lambert's)
. house unless she desired her to 90
TO Philadelphia. One letter sent by
the Inspector was not recovered but
the one sent afterwards was produc-
ed IL said that Mrs. Lambert" had
other cases.
Il was testified TO by Inspector
Plummer that she saw the letter mall
ed I'm a special delivery box. William
Harkins was opposite the window and
he saw It mailed. Plummer then told
of going to the house. No. 205 East
, Fifth street. at noon on Friday. IL,
: and being met at the door by Mrs.
Lambert" He was taken to the par
z Tor. and the defendant closed the door.
He asked her how he should know
II IL was Mrs. Lambert. She asked II
he had a letter of Introduction to
which he showed her letter supposed
] to be from Miss Anderson"
'As ! want to leave said Plummer
Il asked the defendant to see If any
one was looking. She went to the
! door and the United States Marshal
/. and officer Hahn arrested her. Mrs
Lambert rushed back into the house
I and Mrs. Twilley, the keeper of the
> boarding house. came running to the
(, door and as she called her Mrs. Lam
= bert, she. the defendant, said. don't
4 call me that. that's not my name.
Mrs. Twilley replied deed it is. that
is all l knew you by"
a The witness was then cross
4 examined by Mr.. Salisbury as Il
4 when he sent and received the let
4 ters.
n G. NJ. Stevenson general deliver
= clerk at the postoffice, was called anl
: told Of the defendant receiving mai
+ addressed to r. Ashmead and z
! Howett Attorney Salisbury oh
. iected to the question whether she go
man addressed to Mrs. II. Lambert
L and the objection was sustained.
a Saw Letter Mailed.
r William Harkins, special deliver,
carrier, told Of seeing the defendan
dropping a letter into the special de