The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1914-04-06
s'The Case of
Jennie BriCe''

81 think" | said slowly, that
IL | were nineteen, and in love
with a man, and hiding, | would
hide as near him as possible. I'D
be likely to get a window that
could see his going out and COM
ing in, a place SO near that he
could come often to see me-"
"Bravo!" he exclaimed. "Of
course, with your present wisdom
and experience. you would dc
nothing 50 foolish. But this girl
was in her teens; she was not
very far away, for he probably
saw her that Sunday afternoon,
when he was out for two hours.
And as the going was slow that
day. and he had much to tell and
explain, | figure she was not far
off. Probably in this very neigh
borhood."
During the remainder of that
morning | saw Mr.. Holcombe, at
intervals, going from house 10
house along Union street, making
short excursions into side thor
oughfares, coming back again and
taking up his door-bell ringing
with unflagging energy. l watch
] ed him off and on for two hours.
At the end of that time he came
back flushed and excited.
81 found the house." he said,
wiping his glasses. "She was
there, all right, not so close as we
had thought, but as close as she
could get"
"And can you trace herr"
asked.
His face changed and sadden-
ed. Poor child!" he said. "She
is dead, Mrs. Pitman!"
mot she-at Sewickley!"
NO. he said patiently. "That
was Jennie Brice."
"But-Mr. Howell"
"Mr. Howell is a young ass" he
said with irritation. "He did not
take Jennie Brice out of the city
that morning. He took Alice MUIR
ray in Jennie Brice's clothing, and
veiled.'
Well, that is five years ago,
Five times since then are Ale
gheny river, from being a mild
and inoffensive stream, carrying a
few boats and great deal OF
sewage, has become a raging de-
stroyer, and has filled our hearts
with fear and our cellars with
mud. Five times since them Mol
ly Mcguire has appropriated all
that the flood carried from my
premises to hers, and five times
have | lifted my carpets and NOV
ed Mr.. Holcombe, who occupies
the parlor bedroom, OF a second.
floor room.
A few days ago, as I said at the
beginning, we found Peters body
floating in the cellar, and as soon
as the yard was dry, | buried him
he had grown fat and lazy, but
shall miss him.
Yesterday a riverman fell off
barge along the waterfront and
was drowned. They dragged the
river for his body, but they did
not find him. But they found
something-an onyx clock, with
the tattered remnants of a muslin
pillow slip wrapped around 1t. II
only bore out the story, as we
had known 1t for five years.
The Murray girl had lived long
enough to make a statement to
the police, although Mr.. Hol-
combe only learned this later. On
the statement being shown to
Ladley in the Jail, and his learn.
ing of the girls death, he col.
lapsed. He confessed before he
was hanged, and his confession
briefly, was like this:
He had met the Murray girl in
connection with the tipping of his
play, and had fallen in love with
her. He had never cared for his
wife, and would have been glad
to get rid of her in any way pos.
sible. He had not intended tc
kill her, however. He had planned
| to elope with the Murray girl, and
awaiting an opportunity, had per
suaded her to leave home ant
take a room near my house.
Here he had visited her daily
while his wife was at the theater
They had planned to 20 to New
York together on Monday, March
the fifth. On Sunday, the fourth
however, Mr.. Bronson and Mr.
1 4 81 ....a4
proposition. When he accepted
Philip Ladley maintained that he
meant only to carry out the plan
as suggested. But the temptation
was too strong for him. That
night, while his wife slept, he had
strangled her.
I believe he was frantic with
fear, after he had done it. Then
1t occurred to him that IL he made