The Washington herald., 1911-09-02

never paid her any attention; they had
only a bowing acquaintance. which con-
tinued for about five years.
Miss Dewitt had ceased speaking to
him then. why?-he didn't know. but she
evinced a strong aversion to him. She
would toss her head and sniff as he pass
ed her in the street. II he sat on his
front veranda, she would never appear
on the Dewitt stoop. After he had mar
ried, this aversion became more prp-
nounced and extended to his bride.
There were frequent audible comments
from across the street, Mr.. Snyder said.
Once Miss Dewitt had hissed at him
from her window as he walked across the
street. Her actions were such, he de-
Clared. that he was kept on a continuous
state Of wonderment
Reflected on His Character.
Asked about the letters, Mr.. Snyder
stated that they began coming eight or
nine months after he arrived in town.
They all reflected on his moral charac-
ter, his relations with his congregation,
his supposed conduct, and what not,
He had paid no attention at first, but
when the anonymous communications
became stronger and stronger he had
complained to the postal authorities. Mr..
Snyder introduced about fifty letters re-
ceved during five years. particularly one
received on June a. 1911 1t consisted OF
eight closely printed pages of letter paper
and a Bristol cardboard filed on both
sides. This letter was shown to the
commissioner and the opposing counsel.
They would not allow any outsiders to
see 1t. The names of a score of women,
Mrs. Snyder'S among them, were men
toned, and the charges were imprint
able. 1t developed later that out of the
fifty letters in evidence there was hard
lv a page which could he transcribed
without rejecting seriously upon some
respected. reputable woman of the city.
Judge Kirkpatricks Cross-examination
took a new tack. He had the minister
acknowledge that he had rented the par
sCnage to a family named Willauer, re-
tanning only two rooms for himself.
There was a daughter of the house, Miss
Florence Wilarer. and she had been
subjected 10 a merciless stream or
charges Mr.. Snyder said he had taken
Miss Willauer TO three college PLAYS, and
had met her at church sociables. He had
paid similar attentions to other young
women. but never serious attentions.
Suspected n NeIEhbOr.
The minister admitted that he had sus-
pectcd from the first that some person
in the immediate neighborhood was the
writer. Only a neIghbOr could keep an
accurate list of visitors 10 the parsonage,
or could know about everything that hap
pened around the place. Very frankly
he admitted that several years ago he
had talked over the matter with Mrs.
Michsler. going to the extent OF asking
her If she had written the letters.
Later he had spoken about Mrs. Michs-
ler'S daughter The action had lost him
two friends and parishiOners. He had not
thought of Miss Dewitt for some time
afterward. but by the process Of elimina-
ton had come 10 look upon her with
suspicion. The CrosS-eXa mination kept
al the witness. but obtained nothing def
mite Mrs. David White. of 424 Ferry
street. a most kindly looking old lady.
followed the witness TO testify that on
July - a letter had come TO her house.
Il had received so many of them" said
Mrs White. that when l opened this
and saw what ii was l handed it back
to the carrier The letter produced IA
voluminous missive) began:
Il write you a few lines to let you
know"
All Begin the Same Way.
The rest was kept secret. All the let
ters began in the same way. no matter
to whom addressed. 1t was then that
the Importance of Mrs. Whites letter
developed. This letter was mailed be-
fore 9:15 on the morning of July 25. at
Fifth and Northampton streets.
Miss Dewitt is alleged to have ad-
mitted to the inspectors that she had
been within a half block Of this place on
the morning in question. When she
first appeared, Shoeneberger told her
bluntly: You were seen to drop that
letter in the box" Very cOmposedly.
Miss Dewitt answered: You are a
liar
that he had worked on the case of
and on for four years. He had sent for
Miss Dewitt and when she appeared
with her counsel, Mr.. Miller. he told her
that she was among twenty persons