The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-06-22
LAWYER UNFOLDS
PAST OF WOMAN
Pitiable Story Of Mrs. Fitz-
hugh Is Told by Her
Attorney.
IS CATHERINE FENNELL
Greed M. Fulton to Go to New York
and Try to Save
Woman.

life of Mrs. Randolph Fitzhugh." the
washington woman under arrest in New
York on the charge of grand larceny-a
story Of intermingied love and romance
and sorrow and hardship-was told yes
terday afternoon by Greed NJ. Fulton, the
local attorney, who is in charge of the
defense. Mr.. Fulton returned to Wash
ington yesterday from New York, where
he went last week TO demand Of the court
a stay Of judgment
Mrs. Fitzhugh's real name is Catherine
FennelL She Is a native of Staunton.
Va, and is member of one of the oldest
and most respected families of the StatA
She claims relationship to the Randolphs
and the Fitzhughs. old blue-blooded fami-
hes, and 1t Is said she is also connected
on the paternal side with the Ashbys and
the McKims-
She spent her girihood In Staunton. and
because Of her rare beauty and winning
ways had many admirers. She fell in
love with young man by the name of
Willis, but she was taken sick with
typhoid fever. While convalescinS she
became obsessed with an idea that she
must kill her fance. and so, when finally
he called to see her. she crept up behind
his steaithily and struck him on the head
with an AK, injuring him severely but not
fatally.
Following this assault. she was COM
mitted to the Western State Hospital for
the Insane. at Staunton. She was re-
leased in 1911. and came to Washington
to live with her married sister.
Shortly after coming here she met a
Young man who gave his name as Albert
S. Northrop, and posed as a lawyer in
the employ Of the Agricultural Depart
ment- They became engaged and eloped
to Baltimore to get married. as the sister
had some objection to the union.
The ceremony was performed at a pri-
vate residence in Baltimore. but the we'd
ding proved later to be of bogus ma
ture. one of the bridegroom's friends play
ing the part of the Clergyman. "Northrop''
left his bride shortly after the marriage.
explaining that he was going West on
business He never returned. although
for a time he sent money to his wife
" nen last heard from he was in Mexico.
After "Northrop's" departure. a pretty
baby was born to the unfortunate woman.
The infant is now being cared for by
friends in New York.
story of Her Arrest.
Last March Mrs. Fftzhugh" was
charged with the theft of a $50 mesh bag
and another bag containing a diamond
bracelet. both together valued at $50.
She was committed to the Tombs on
II, anu mas peGn COuuneQ IleTe
ever since.
when arrested Mrs. Fitzhush re-
quested me to serve as her attorney"
explained Mr.. Fulton yesterday after
noon, but because of the press of busi-
ness here I was unable to take the
case. She employed two New York
on my advice. but when the
case came up for trial a week ago lass
Friday, she dismissed them because
they insisted upon her pleading guilty.
An attempt was made to secure me
as attorney, but difficulties were en-
in reaching me by telephone,
SO the court, in order to prevent de-
lay. appointed an attorney for the de-
and announced that the case
would be proceeded with. Mrs. Fitz-
hugh's attorney urged her to plead
guilty. and she finally consented.
The conditions under which the plea
was made amount almost to duress-
She was being defended by a lawyer
whom she did not know and who knew
nothing of the case; she
was urged on all hands to plead guilty
because of the lack of witnesses to
was under mental strain because of
the recent sadness in her life. and I'M
der such conditions she hardly knew
what she was doing.
II shall return to New York Mon
day or Tuesday. and the case will be
called Wednesday. The court will be re-
quested to permit the defendant to with
draw the plea of guilty and to enter one
of not guilty. Mrs. Fitzhugh Is prepared
to show that the articles were not stolen.
that no attempt was made to conceal
them. that they were worn in the streets
of New York, and that consequently she
is not guilty.
The case is one of the saddest thai
has ever come to my attention. and :
shall urge the court to show all the
clemency possible. Although the four
months in the Tombs have taken some
of the color from her face, Mrs. Fitz-
high is even yet beautiful, despite the
sorrow that has come to her. She Is
bright and intelligent, and comes from
one of the finest families OF Virgins"
William Bruce Fennell. father of Mrs
Fitzhugh," became insane shortly after
his daughter attempted to kill her fiance,
and Is now in Mount Hope Asylum The
mother also has lost her reason. and at
present is an inmate Of St Elizabeth's.
The relatives of the woman refuse to rec
ognize her. She has a sister, an uncle.
and a cousin in Washington.