The Washington times., 1913-08-29
GIRL CONFRONTED
BY HER ACCUSER
Taken to Hospital to Face Girl
Companion She Is Charged
With AssauIting.

In an effort to straighten out one Of
the most unusual cases ever brought to
their attention, the police today took
Miss Ncna c. Matthews, twenty-four
years old, to the Washington Asylum
Hospital, where she was confronted b.
Miss Helen Fisher, whom she is alleged
to have assaulted and held a prisoner in
a room at the Fritz Reuter- Hotel since
last Monday
Miss Matthews, accompanied by Gem
tral Office Detective CornwelI, appeared
in the United States Branch of the Po-
lice Court, where the charge of assault
was made against her. The case was
postponed till Tuesday. She is still
held without bail.
According to Miss Fishers story to
the police, she was forced against her
will TO remain in the hotel room ana
drink whiskey until she was in a stu
por. She asserts that Miss Matthews
beat her and struck her in the face un-
til she was so weak that she was un-
able to get out OF bed.
The women were taken from the
room late yesterday afternoon, as was
reported exclusively in the $50 edition
Rf The Times last evening, after an
entrance had been forced by Assistant
United States Attorney Hawken ana
Central Office Detective Cornwell, ac-
companied by a police matron and
physician attached to the Health De-
parttment. The case was shrouded in
much mystery, and it was not until
the women. who had registered under
fictitious names, had been questioned
at lnegth that they revealed their iden-
uty.
Lured to Hotel, She Says.
Miss Matthews, who says she is en-
ployed as saleswoman by a wholesale
drug concern in Pittsburgh, lives at
Glenwood Md, while Miss Fishers
home is in Somerset, Pa. The Fisher
woman claims she was lured TO the
hotel and beaten into submission by
her companion.
Miss Matthews denies this She as
serts that Miss Fisher became hys-
terical after they had been in the room
for a time and commenced to scream.
She told the police she put a towel over
Miss Fishers face several times to keep
her quiet and that this accounts for the
bruises about the woman's mouth and
face.
AT the Washington Asylum Hospital
today IL was said that Miss Fishers
condition was such that she would prob
ably have to remain there several days,
and it is not likely the case will be
heard in Police Court until she is able
to appear against the other woman.
Miss Matthews is being held on a charge
Of assault.
Miss Matthews was brought 10 Police
Headquarters last night and ques-
toned. She says she and Miss Fisher
had been friends for years. and ex-
changed visits at each others homes.
Her story is that she and Miss Fisher
came to Washington together, intend
ing to visit Miss Matthews parents at
lenwood. They decided, however, to
stop of here for a few days, and went
to the hotel and engaged a room.
Proprietor eBcame Suspicious.
: Miss Fisher told Detective -Cornwen
and Assistant Prosecutor Hawken that
she received a dispatch from Miss Mat
thews to join her in Washington and
accompany her to Glenwood from here.
She says they met her Monday morning
and that Miss Matthews induced her to
60 to the hotel. Once in the room, she
charges, her companion forced her tc
drink a quantity of whisky and then
cCEpelled her by force to remain in the
room uEtil yesterday afternoon, when
the authorize sforced an entrance.
The police were told by persons at the
hotel that Miss Matthews went out for
q little while Monday, and returned
with large package, which is thought
to have contained food. The fact that
neither went out of the room after that,
and also that groans were heard COM
ing from the room, led the proprietor,
Henry Achterkirchen, to become sus-
picions that something was wrong.
Several attempts were made to have
the occupants OF the room. admit either
the proprietor or his wife, but as the
women repeatedly refused to open the
door, he decided yesterday afternoon
70 report the matter to the police.
. When first arrested, Miss Matthews
who was registered. at the hotel as IN
Z. Weams," gave her name as Nellie
c. Matthews, 1854 rifth avenue Pitts
hurgh. The other woman gave the
name of Lena Fisher and said she lived
at the same address. The police wired
Pittsburgh authorities and last night
dispatch was received stating neither
was known at the address given. Con-
fronted with this telegram. the women
then gave what they asserted were
their right names and addresses