The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-11-07
STORY OF MURDER
OF BALTIMORE GIRL

| CHICAGO, Special.-Sophia Ger
trude Singer, a young oivorcee who
came from Baltimore three weeks ago
with William Worthen. was murdered
in her room in lodging house at
1929 Indiana Avenue. sometime be-
fore midnight Monday night. Mystery
and brutality are features of the
crime. The woman was drugged, gag
ged, arms and legs bound ana her
skull fractured in five places
Charles ID. Conway. a professional
diver. and Mary Ryall. or Conway.
his supposed wife, are missing. Wor-
then. a former Baltimore street car
conductor, is in the hands of the po-
lice. Robbery is believed to be the
motive, for Miss Singer had Jewels
valued at over $1,000 and about ST.
Worthen tells straightforward
story and the police believe he has
told all that he knows Worthen
lived with Miss Singer as her hus-
band. He says they had made ar
rangements to marry this week. but
II so there is only his word for IL.
The Conways. Worthen and Miss
Singer occupied two bedrooms and a
parlor on the first floor Of Mrs. Julia
McEartnys rooming house. at 1929
Indiana Avenue. They had only been
in the house one oay. All four were
in their rooms at Z. NJ Then ZVor-
then went out. Mrs. Mccarthy went
calling. Miss Minnie Seipp, a nurse.
who lived in the house was the only
person about.
Blood First Discovered.
Mrs Mccarthy returned at II z. NJ.
Worthen returned at midnight He
tried to enter his room and found the
door locked. He received no response
10 repeated knockings. He called Mrs
Mccarthy and she. accompanied by
Miss Seipp, went 10 the room. The
nurse discovered blood stains on the
carpet leading from Miss Singers
room Worthen forced the door. There
was no one fn Miss Singers room.
Walking through the parlor into Con-
ways room the body of Miss Singer
was discovered. wrapped in 4 blanket
on the floor.
The effect of the muroerous work
was unfolded when the blanket was
removed by the police. 4 towel sat
urated with Chloroform had been
forced into the throat. over this an
other towel. stepped in the drug. had
been tied and fastened in a knot be-
mind the head. The temples and from
tai portions of the skull had been
crushed.
The instrument. door knob tied
in handkerchief. with Wrapping of
shoe laces for a handle. was found
near the body. All Miss Singers money
and jewelry were missing. Her cloth
ing (she had n beautiful wardrobe)
mad been ransackeo and tossed about
the room. The pair are believed TO
oe IN the city and a thorough search
for them by half hundred police is
in progress.
Conway Lost n Foot Recently.
conway. who is thirty-eight years OF
age. lost his right foot last winter and
, only recently left the hospital The
amputated limb still requires treat
ment and surgeons at the Provident
hospital assert that he will soon be
compelled TO enter another hospital or
die OF ganRrene.
Worthen and Miss Singer left Balti-
more three weeks ago. She had visited
relatives in Chicago several times be-
I0re They are Mr.. and Mrs. Albert
harmon, OF 234 Norwood Avenue. on
arriving here, Miss Singer. who had
been in correspondence with Mrs Con-
way or RyalI, whom she had known
two years ago in Baltimore, was in
duced by Mrs. Conway TO take the
rooms
Worthen testified at the inquest that
he was a salesman. and had known
Miss Singer for four years. HIS health
failed and he took an outdoor lob as
street car conductor.
He then detailed all his movements
which left the police without suspicion
OF him.