The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-18
SISTER VICTIM
OF JEALOUS MAN
Mrs. Richards Sure Frances
Leslie Did Not Die of
Natural Causes.
FATHER ALSO CONVINCED
Will Leave Nothing Undone to
Throw Light on Her Mys-
ferrous Death.
Especial to The Times-pispatch.

New York March 17.-Mrs Edward
Richards, sister OF Frances Leslie. the
New York chorus girl who died on the
White Star liner Oceanic under mys-
terious circumstances. is convinced that
her sister was murdered Mrs. Rich
ards. formerly show girl herself, Ia
loath tp maze her suspicious more
specific.
"I am convinced that Frances was
the victim OF a Jealous man." she said
to-day IT am not at liberty to tell
all that L know, but the fact that the
coroner in Southampton has delayed
the Inquest until April II verihes m,
suspicious that her death was not due
to natural causes. The English au-
thorities are now making light of the
rumors of foul play. but I believe that
they arc SO doing to throw those whom
they suspect off guard"
Miss Leslie's father. Henry y.
Schmitz of 17s West Ninety seventh
Street. said to-day that he did not be-
lieve that his daughter died while in
the throes of epilepsy. He admitted
however, that the girl had fatnting
spells.
81 have just received telegram
from the State Department in Wash
ington.' he said They tell me that
they will make every EFFORT to have
the mystery surrounding the death Of
my daughter Cleared away The White
Star Line has informed me that
Frnnkie's body Will be shipped homo on
the steamship ST Paul. on March 20.
hope-we all hope-that there was
nothing unnatural about her death but
If there Is the slightest suspicion OF
foul play I shall make every effort to
bring her murderer to justice"
Tt was learned definitely day that
Arthur DEACON, the comedian who was
scheduled to appear In the London
Hippodrome in the American Revue"
with Miss Leslie. sailed on the Oceanic
March s. Miss Leslie. Bessie Clifford
and several others booked for the same
production sailed with DEACON. DEACON
had ben friendly with Miss Leslie. and
took a great interest in her. 1t was
due TO his efforts that she was select
ed to fill the place of Miss Anna VIII
sn-TriXe Wilson-who broke her
contract with the English show and
remained in New York.
Julian Mitchell, stage director of the
various Follies shows. declared that
Arthur DEACON was very impersonal
friend OF Miss Leslie.
\ very close friend Of both DEACON
and Miss Leslie declared tonight that
he knew that the girl was subject
TO fainting spells and heart attacks.
He added that DEACON had taken an
interest in Miss Leslie. but that Miss
Leslie had repeatedly declared that the
interest was nothing more than pro-
fassional and impersonal.
No Nearer Solution.
Especial Cable to The Times Dispatch.J
London. March 1.-THE mystery in
the death of Frances Leslie aboard
the Oceanic in the early hours OF last
Saturday morning was brought no
nearer to a solution by the inquest
held to-day at Southampton. AS the
matter stands the inquest is adjourned
until April IA, when the Oceanic will
be back at Southampton. Meanwhile.
the Home Office authorities are max
ing an analysis Of the contents OF the
girls stomach in an effort to deter
mine whether death was the result
OF foul play.
All sorts of strange stories have
been in circulation all day. making it
difficult TO sift truth from fiction, cs-
pecially In view of tho silence OF pro-
fessional associates OF the dead girl.
Among those who accompanied Miss
Leslie on the ill-fatcd voyage were
Arthur DEACON and Eddie Miller, both
prominent American actors. who. like
Miss Leslie. came here to take part
in the American Revue" TO be pro
scnted at the London Opera House
Miller testified in to-days proceedings
at which DEACON also was present
the latter. however. was not called
on. Both returned to London tonight
but efforts TO get them to discuss the
case were unavailnE.
According TO stories told by the
dead girls friends. II seems that she
had formed an attachment for a GER
tain actor. which, while returned.
could come to nothing, owing to the
mans being already married. Whether
this had anything 10 do with her death
is matter yet to be discovered. Some
OF her friends declare that she COM
mitted suicide. others openly express
the opinion that she was the victim
Of foul play. and there are some
equally loud In protesting that Miss
Leslie died natural death. -
In this connection it is only fair to
state that the Southampton officials.
Including the coroner and United States
consul Swan. all incline 10 the belief
that there was no foul play, but in de-
ference to the wishes Of Miss I.eslic's
parents. are taking every precaution
to clear the matter
II Was Lively Party.
One thing is certain. 1t was a live
ly party which crossed on the Oceanic.
and all stayed up practically all of the
last night at sea. although Frances
Leslie had not been MS conspicuous in
the convivialties as some of the others.