Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-11-23
IDENTITY or SupPosEp WIFE or
THOMAS o'sRlEN GIVEN ~
RELATIVES.
MRS. BENTON \. surrs NAME
or VICTIM OF OPERATION
Husband and oths- Relatives Reaeh
Sioux City and Claim eedy-o' 0risn
and Mrs. Suits Recently Came From
Eiders, Where o'erisn Conducted
Piano saIs-Man Still Missing.

the woman who died in suspicious CIR
cumstances at q local hospital last Sat
urday night under the name Of Mrs
Thomas O'Brien was established by
her real husband, Benton r. Butts. of
Pana, ILL.,, and her brother and sister.
Dolph Primer and Mrs. Emma Essick.
The three relatives arrived late here
and viewed the body. The sister was
almost Frustrated with grief and the
actual circumstances surrounding the
death we're withheld from her for fear
Of collapse. The relatives also visited
the house at which Mrs. Butts had
roomed with O'Brien, 924 Pierce street.
There 1t developed that q valuable dia-
mond ring belonging to the dead and
disgraced woman had been taken, sus-
picion falling upon O'Brien, who posed
as her husband and who disappeared
the morning following her death. A
black handbag which also belonged to
Mrs. Butts 10 also missing.
Relatives had not been notified of
the serious Illness Of Mrs. Butts.
O'Brien told Mrs. Potter he had noti-
fed the relatives at Pana. but it was
found yesterday that he had sent no
word. The undertaker's message sum-
mcned them.
Criminal Operation.
Mrs Essick was on the verge Of a
nervous breakdown yesterday morning
and every effort was made to keep her
in ignorance of her sisters shame. She
was told that. Mrs Butts was employ
ed at local piano house as clerk
and that the cause Of death was ap-
pendicitis.
According to the surgeons who at
tended the case, conditions which sur
rounded Mrs. Butts illness indicated
that a criminal operation had been at
tempted previous to the later opera
ton at the hospital made necessary by
her resulting condition. According to
several who are familiar with the case.
the illegal operation was performed at
Eldora. Iowa. where Mrs. Butts and
O'Brien lived for short time before
coming to Sioux City. Other reports
say it was performed In Sioux City by
local physician.
The brother, Dolph Primer, and the
husband, were told Of the life of Mrs.
Butts with ORrien. They will prob
ably take steps looking toward
O,Brien's arrest when they return to
Pana.
Came From Good Home.
The dead woman came from fam
lily of fine standing at Pana and had
in her possession number Of letters
Of recommendation from prominent and
influential business men Of Pana and
Springfield. O'Brien also is said to
have come from one Of the prominent
families of Springfield and has a wife
and two children in that city.
Mrs. Butts had not lived with her
husband for the last two years. After
leaving him she went to Springfield.
where she was employed by piano
concern of which O'Brien was part
owner.
She was at Eldora, Iowa, with O'Bri-
en-. who had sold his interest in the
piano house and was selling .pianolas
for the Farrand company, Of Detroit
He was. conducting q sale Of pianolas
in Sioux City up to the time Of his dis
appearance. He and Mrs Butts roomed
at s24 Pierce street. According to Mrs.
Potter. he was seemingly devoted to
his pararmour.
O'Brien dropped out Of sight Sunday
morning and has not been seen or
heard of since. Mrs. Butts concealed
her identity until the end and it was
only by an investigation OF. her room
that letters and papers were found
which gave clew az to her relatives.
The local police have taken no action
toward arresting JO'Brien. and 1t is
probable that relatives will conduct q
search for him from Pana.
70 Protect the Sister.
Mr.. Butts said. II am now familiar
with the circumstances surrounding the
death Of my wife. had not been nv.