The Washington herald., 1912-03-12

those Of an insane person. He declared
he did his utmost to have relatives OF
the woman come to this city and care
for her, but was unsuccessful
Il never saw Mrs. Gage or her daugh-
ter until about two years ago" said Mr..
Bell. The mother and daughter came
TO my office at the bank to see me. As
they walked into the room Mrs. Gage
handed me her card and asked why I
persisted in preventing either her or her
daughter from entering Washington So
clety. ...
The woman's unusual remark sur
prised me so that Z hesitatSd before re-
plying to her question. For the instant
thought Mrs. Gage might be some ac-
quaintance whom ] had not seen for a
number of years whose face 1 had for
gotten. was about TO reply when.
without giving any warning. the woman
burst out crying.
Despite my efforts to quiet her. Mrs.
Gage continued TO cry. inquired the
cause for her sudden outburst, but re-
ceived nothing but incoherent answers
Finally. realizing that was dealing with
some one whose mind was unbalanced, !
explained that a number OF people were
waiting to see me and asked that be eX-
cused.
Disappeared for Year.
The woman left my Office and l had
not heard of her again for more than 4
year. when several of my friends inform
ed me that she had been circulating very
unusual stories concerning me. I was
told that Mrs. Gage had declared that I
had schemed TO buy her house from her
and eventually force her to leave WASH
ington. Every day some one came to me
with a different story. My informants
N class nf
people. for among them were several
prominent members OF society and some
of my business associates.
soon ] learned that Mrs. Gage had
threatened to horsewhip and cowhide me
II 1 did not cease to prosecute her 1
also learned that the woman had even
threatened to kill me.
Realizing that Mrs. Gage was I'M
doubtedIy out OF her mind, I set about
to have some of her relatives come TO
this city to care for her. on several oc-
casions communicated by long-distance
telephone with Wilbur A. Mott, prosecut-
ing attorney Of Essex County, n. J.,
brother Of the woman. He informed me
that he knew his sister was rather &C.
centric. but positively refused to come to
this city and care for her.
IT felt II was my duty, therefore, TO
report Mrs. Cages queer actions to the
attention OF the police. Detective Evans
went to see Mr.. Mott TO get him to pro-
vide guardian for his sister, but was
equally as unsuccessful as had been.
Refused to Help.
Sunday 1 got into communication with
Mr.. Mott again. and again urged him to
come to Washington. 1 told him that un-
Of her relatives the police intended to
place her under arrest. Despite my ur-
gent appeal, Mr.. Mott refused to assist In
any way.
culated by Mrs. Gage have been about
me, many other people have not been over
looked. She has had equally as strange
things to say about some of the prom
inent clergymen Of the city, several
well-known realty brokers, and innu-
merable members of Washington So
ciety. Her attack on them, however.
has been because she believes they are
my emissaries.
II don't think II is necessary for me
to deny the many accusations made
against me, considering the mental
condition of the person making them.
1t is true that / am the brother-in-law
of Mr.. Kerr. of the firm Of Fitch. Fox
& Brown, who sold the Dupont Circle
house to Mrs. Gage. Mr.. Kerr Is not
my straw man. however, and
knew nothing of the sale OF the
house TO her until several years after
the purchase had been made. The
charge that have attempted to force
her to sell the house to me at a great
sacrifice Is equally absurd,
II am sorry that IT was necessary
for the police to take charge OF Mrs
Gage. We did our best, however, to
get her relatives to look after her. but
without success"
Attorney Makes Statement.
A. s. worthington. attorney for Mr..
Bell. said:
''Mr. Bell first learned Of Mrs. Gage
a little more than two years ago when
she called at his Office. He had never
seen her before nor had he heard Of her.
Mrs. Gage said she had called to In
quire why Mr.. Bell persisted in prevent
ing her from attending church. Mr.. Bell.
after q few minutes talk with the wom-