The Washington times., 1913-12-15
MISS SCHENCK NOW
FIGHTING FORL|FE
Woman Who EIoped With VAN
derbiIt's Manager Spending
Last Hours in PRAYER.

NEW YORK, Dec. 15.-Hovering neal
death, Miss Florence Schenck, who
- eioped from Virginia seven years age
with Charles Henry Wilson, stable
manager for Alfred Gwynne Wander
bllt, and since has led spectacular
career, is devoting her few hours of con-
scioIsness- to praying that her life mas
be spared.
From her bed in Miss Alston's private
hospital. where she underwent a seri-
GUS operation last week Miss Schenck
pleads with the physician and nurses
tnat they do everything in their powe:
to save her life.
''Oh, do SO want to live" moaned
the young woman, lifting her hands
pitcously.
These last few years have been a
hideous nightmare, sobbed the still
beautiful Virginia girl, but that is all
over now. IS
Several clergymen, who kave read of
the young woman's dying condition.
have sent their cards or have tele-
phoned to the hospital. askinS permis-
sion to call. But Miss Scheneck has
waived aside all these suggestions.
T Don't Want To Die"
Il feel certain God viii let me live.
] don't want to de. 1 am too young
TO die. i must live" muttered the
young woman in faint, unsteady tones.
And If live, what use can these min
listers be to me?. / have learned my
lesson. ] shall not need their advice.
j know only too well, better than
they can tell me, that the wages of
sin is death. Haven't I learned this
a,,,ens .nrousn s.1 years OF the greatest an
-.I want to live. too. to show the
world what can do. : want to change
the whc,e course of my life. The life
God Will spare my life so that may
impress this upon ynung women who
through inpuisiveress or ambition or
some misdirected idea OF the world
might experience The same sorrow and
misery that ] have done. -
White, with almost the psleness of
oeath. the young woman who has ex-
rerfenccd SC much bitterness at the
age of twenty-five, still retains the
softness and prettiness of face and
feature.
las L lie here in my seclusion, my
desire to live is greater than it ever
was. There have been tines when J
ks SEEING e have the esep ueu ria ives Of it tbe M
nurses lead it has occurred to ME,
Why shouldn't live and be useful?'
Were j able to save ore young woman
from misery; such as has been my por-
10 my pra.Ter justified ITSELF
Daughter of Surgeon.
The young woman is the daughter of
DR.. Powhattan S. Schenck, formerly sur
geon in the United States Navy. Her
grandfather was governor of Virginia |
She had many admirers, but Charles /
Wilson, who came to Norfolk to attend /
the horse show, captivated ner complete |
ly. It was said that Miss Schenck had |
married Wilson in Norfolk, but this was
denied by his wife. Miss Schenck served l
papers on Wilson last month in $50 900
damage suit. She said she was suing I
for breach of contract, fraud, and deceit |
The first hearing of the case is set for
today
Miss Schenck sets forth in her papers
that at the time she married Wilson
she believed he had obtained a divorce |
from his wife, but later learned that il
was only the interlocutory. and not the /
final decree.
Dr.. Edward T. league, who is attend
ing, Mics Schenck. declared today her
condition is critical. and that there is not
The slightest chance of her recovery.
Death, feel certain is only a question
II short while" says DR.. league 1T
may come any moment"