davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1915-10-17


edge of the bed in their villa on Lake
Como Italy, he not only ended her life, but made
himself an outcast and fugitive the face of the
earth, as we'll as the principal in one of the most
celebrated murder in the annals of GRIM
1nology.
The beginning Of his trial In Italy after all
the laws delays have been exhausted in his behalf
brings the with fresh interest to the public.
Porter Charlton born and grew up in
Omaha, living with his parents in the Hanscom
park district. They moved east and his father
became clerk in the Bureau of Insular Affairs
at Washington, while Porter went to New York
end worked in the National City bank There he
met Mary Crittenden Scott Castle of California,
woman who had been previously married and
rearly twice his age. He 81 years old when
they married
Porter's health was frail and his father feared
he was suffering from tuberculosis. So he pro-
vded the money for the pair to take a honeymoon
trip Italy where they arrived late in April 1910.
Horrible Find in Lake Como
Six weeks later, on June 10, the brides body
vas found with crushed skull and bood-soaked,
crammed into weighted trunk in the bottom of
Lake Como and Porter Charlton was missing
Immediately the wonderful Italian police and
detective system put to work to run down the
murderer. So effectively had the awful deed been
that Charlton made good his escape from. the
country, and until his apprehension the police
worked on the theory that he, too, had been MUIR
dered and his body concealed.
The finding of Mrs Charltons body
accident. Fishermen from the village of Moltraso
got their hooks entangled in a heavy object Pull
ing it up, they found the trunk. They took it
ashore, ripped it open and confronted with
its horrible contents. The body had been jammed
in so tightly that the head between the knees
The news was quickly sent TO Cernobbo, and
detectives of the criminal branch They
found the trunk had been weighted with boulders
Of the kind common along the shore of the lake.
The body was that OF a woman of Ss and beau
tiful hair dark brown and eyes blue-gray. The
hack part of the skull was crushed and the arms
and shoulders showed evidence of savage abuse
The head and upper part of the body were clotted
with blood.
The body fully dressed in black clothes OF
good quality. The wedding ring was on its finger
and inside the initials. 'P. c."
Package of TelI-Tale Letters
package of letters signed IN. w. Castle"
and mailed at San Jose. Cal. two prayer books and
the photograph of man about 23 years old were
in the trunk.
Russian, Constantine Ispalatoff, reputed to
no secret agent of his government. and ac-
quaintance of the Charltons arrested sus-
picion OF having murdered the two. This was the
theory of Charles M. Cauhey, American consul at
Milan.
Work was Immediately begun exploring the bot
Omaha daily bee., 1915-10-17
-Mrs Nary Scott Caste Charlfonl

had been made, taken TO the Hoboken police
headquarters. There he was asked to sign his
name. inadvertently he signed Porter Charlton.
Recognizing his mistake too late, he made quick
movement to draw his revolver. But the officers
leaped upon him and he surrendered.
well, you've got me-" he said.
Confession Quickly Follows Imprisonment
Captain Scott knowing he could not control HE
feelings in the presence of his sisters murderers
left the room.
80 you killed your wife," said the captain OF
detectives. 1at
"Yes." said Charlton, 81 killed my Wife"
The murderer then calmly dictated and signed
a full confession as follows
my wife and lived very happily together
She was the best woman in the world to me. But
she had ungovernable temper and so have L
1.-THE night struck her she had been quarrel
ling with 1t was the worst temper ever
her in told her II she didn't would put
stop to 1t. She quit for WHILE and after
short time she renewed her abuse of me. was
dazed and struck her with sort of malIet had
been using to straighten the leg of couch.
struck her two three times and thought she
dead.
"Then placed the body in trunk and threw
the mallet in also About IL o'clock that night
removed the trunk from the house and dragged II
to small pier the house and threw 1t over
hoard.
IT remained at Moltraslo the next day and left
the following night. went to Cernobbio and then
to Genoa, where took the Princess Irene III
"The room where killed her was a sort of
outdoor sleeping apartment
81 have no defense to make and wish none. +
PORTER CHARLTON"
Fight for His Life Begins in Earnest
Charlton's father Immediately came to his as
sistance, retaining a lawyer and preparing to fight
extradition.
Charlton was apathetic and unconcerned. Hi6
father declared he was insane
The fight against extradition was unsuccessful.
lie was taken back to Italy and the case has
dragged on through more than five years, during
part of which time he has been in solitary con-
finement.
On May 10, 1910 the original charge Of un-
!remeditated homicide was changed to a charge of
Iremeditated homicide.
On October g. 1914, Charlton was placed In
solitary confinement for bribing a guard at his
prison.
On January IS. 1915, he was committed to
madhouse at Como.
On May g. 1915. prof Maggiotto of the asylum
appointed to give opinion as to CharItons
sanity at the time he committed the crime and
the trial was again set for July 8. On June
Prof. Maggiotto presented to the court an opinion
that Charlton mentally responsible at the time
of his wifes murder
Grewsome in its details, bizarre in fits surround
ings, the OF Porter Charlton of Omaha bril-
llanty illustrates the pertnence of trfte saying.
truth is stranger than fiction"
Omaha daily bee., 1915-10-17
Porter NarZon, the Omaha boy, on trial IN Naly

- HEN Porter Charlton of Omaha picked
"A up a heavy mallet in a fit of rage and
NI brought It crashing down upon the
head of his wife as she sat on the
edge Of the bed in their villa on Lake
The Glenwood post., 1915-06-26

sl.25 and $3.50 grade House Dresses CO.
Sc, 71sc and 8 1-3c Valenciennes and ~ /c
Insertion. Sale Price per yard .........Z/Z
35c grade Turkish Towels 471/e
Sale Price Observation-Disclosures. UG/Z
l5c grade Children Corset Waist &c
15c Can Talcum Powder &c
4l.25 and $l.5O Ladies' White Waist 5Se
$4.50 and $500 Silk Waist e026
Sale Price Observation-Disclosures.
$500 and 1850 Wash Dresses $0S5
Sale Price
Best Grade Oil Cloth 471/e
Sale Price .........................
9Oc grade Mesane IN
Sale Price per yard .....................lO
The Mankato free press., 1915-08-13

o'clock. Notwithstanding the heavy
rain, they had faith that their Ford
would get them home.
The families OF L. G. Rev. r. +.
Sewers, Charles Starbuck and Ed Lee
made up an auto party and spent
Sunday at Minneopa.
Ed Mertersdorf, Jack Brown and
the Misses Ruth Cornish, Mary King
and Blanche Randall spent Sunday
at Minneopa.
Four friends are guests at a house
party which Miss Ruth Cornish Is
giving at her mothers summer home
this week. The young ladies have been
workers with Miss Cornish for
the past two years in the high school
at Norwood. The party consists of
the Misses Florence Jordan, Mankato.
Ellen Cosgrove, Winona, Hildred
Loomin, Wells and Eva Gillette. Lake
City. quartette of bright winsome
lasses who are greatly enjoying the
quaint hospitality in the home of their
charming young hostess.
The Bowen children autoed to
Rochester Sunday to visit their
mother who is conyalescing in the st.
Mary's hospital at that place.
The Mankato free press., 1915-08-13

of Mrs. Dahms.
Miss Mable Milbradt of Seaforth.
Mimi. a commercial college student
OF this city, is substituting as steno-
grapher at the Office Of the Il. NJ
Zuel company during the vacation of
Miss Josephine Sweeney.
Mrs. J. T. Pomeroy of Mapleton
president, and Mrs. A. r. Cook OF
Eagle Lake, secretary, of the District
Rebekah assembly, were i'm the city
today arranging for joint picnic OF
six Rebekah lodges OF the district
This will occur al Sibley park during
the roontime OF August II.
Mrs. Roy Andrews and little daugh
ter Ccrnelia. left today for Minneapo-
lis, where they will spend the week
end with friends. and will be Joined
Sunday by DR.. Roy Andrews, after
which they will take a trip through
the west. and will spend about three
weeks visiting at Seattle, Wash
F. w. Krusc left this afternoon on
purchasing trip to New York. In
the interests of the three Krusc
company stores. He will be- Joined
enroute by Manager Z. J. Olson oI
the Lacrosse store. and Manager
Richard Wood OF the Superior store
and the three gentlemen will spend
several weeks at the markets.
The Mankato free press., 1915-08-13
Lh1e>Jan1estown
From Fridays Osi,y.

Fro" Fridays Osiiv
Mrs. l.. p. Mueller called on Mrs.
william Oehler Thursday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Foster. Sr
were county seat visitors last Satur
day,
Miss Laura Anderegg spent a we.k
with her uncle and aunt, Mr.. and
Mrs. Claus Ekeman.
Mrs. Ekeman of Mankato is stayinr
with her son. Claus OF this place.
Mrs. John Moeri. Sr.. and daugh-
ters. Misses Irene and Laura> drove
TO kasota Tuesday and spent the day
with the formers daughter. Mrs
Chas. Rodell. Miss Laura remained
for the week.
Mrs. Edmond Montague of Geddes.
,. d.. is visiting at the home of her
son, Frank Mention and family. Every
body is glad to hear that Mr. and
Mrs. Montague and family intend 10
make their home in Minnesota.
Mr.. and Mrs. Lymon Wildes and
son, Howard and Miss Joyce wildes
spent Sunday with Frank Mention an6
family.
Mrs. William Oehler and daughter
Hattie and Misses Louise and CellF
Oehler and Alice Schmidt. spent
Tuesday with Mrs. L. P. Mueller and
family.
The Mankato free press., 1915-08-13

picnic for the I. o. o. F. lodge mem
bers and the Rebekahs and their fam
lilies on August II at Sibley park. A
program of speaking and music will be
given. and a picnic dinner will be
served at noon, after which outdoor
amusements will occupy the time and
peanut and popcorn races will be held.
Everyone Is invited to come, bring
their picnic baskets and enjoy the
day. The Mankato District consists
Of six lodges. Minneopa, Eagle Lake,
Mapleton. Elysian, Aurora, and lie
Sueur Center. Following are the Of
ficers: Mrs. Rena b. Pomroy. Map
Teton, president: Mrs. Ella jameson,
Le Sueur Center. vice president; Mrs,
Kate Cook. Eagle Lake, secretary.
The Mankato free press., 1915-08-13
Vernon Center
from FRIDAYS DaI,y.

rom Fridsy's Dat,s.
Last Sunday, August 1st, Mr.. and
Mrs. Fl. c. Kraus and family and Mrs
Mary Cornish of this place. Charlie and
Herbert Wagon of Mankato. and the
antilles OF Evan Jones and Wilbur
robinson of Lake Crystal, gathered al
he home of Mr.. and Mrs. Lou Kraus
in northwest Vernon in honor OF Grand
ma Kraus eightieth birthday. II was a
happy family gathering and the day
vas most pleasantly spent with a good
I'D fashioned visit. Grandma Kraus,
he guest of honor, has lived on the
Did homestead for over SO years. Her
husband died many years ago, leaving
her alone In the care and bringing
ip OF her young family, consisting of
our boys and two girls. How faith
'ully. carefully and we'll she perform
ed this trust is exemplified by the high
esteem her sons and daughters are
1eld by different communities in
which they reside. or grandma the
words Of the Prophet can be most
ittingly applied Strength and honor
are her clothing and she shall rejoice
n time to come. She openeth her
mouth with wisdom. and her tongue
Is the law OF kindness. She looketh
well to the ways OF her household.
and eateth not the bread OF idleness.
md her children arise up and call her
blessed" She passed through all the
Joys, trials and vicissitudes OF pioneer
lays with high courage and unfault-
sring trust: no one. who has not been
left as she has. can fully realize what
n means to be bereft OF husband and a
The Mankato free press., 1915-08-13
TOWNS IN FLAMES.

Petrograd, August GA letter
from Warsaw, dated August 3rd,
and received here today, says the
towns of Jirardoff, Groitzi and
Blonie were all in flames when
the Germans reached them. The
invaders were forced to fight IRE
so persiste9tly in advance TO the
Vistula river that the Teutonic
armies were preceded by detach-
ments of military firemen.
The Mankato free press., 1915-08-13
CONFER WITH PREMIER.

Nish, Serbia, August 6.-An.
other step in the effort being
made to bring about a Balkan
agreement so that Bulgaria, Ru.
mania and Greece may be mus
tered on the side of the entente
powers was taken here today by
the ministers of Russia, Great
Britain, France and Italy, who
made collective representations to
Nikola Pachitch, the Serbian
premier.
The Mankato free press., 1915-08-13
Occupation Of Ivangered By
esrman-Ausirian Forces
Is Announced
Today

From fridays Daily.
London, August 6.-With the
great fortresses of Warsaw and
Ivangorod captured, the fall of
Riga, the capital of the Baltic
provinces, being imminent and
the Austro- German onslaught hav-
ing reached its height in the east,
the next step will be the German
emperor's triumphant entry into
the Polish capital. The event will
likely soon be followed by pro-
nouncement of a united and semi
autonomous Poland embracing
not only the territory wrested
from the Russians, but the Aus.
trian crownland of Galicia. In
the meantime the Russian armies
are fighting their way backward
toward Russia proper and are in,
fiicting blows on the invaders
wherever possible and trying to
fend them off the railways run,
ming north and south in order
that the ends of the German min.
pers may not meet and in closing
in bring disaster to the Russian
arms. The position of the army
of Grand Duke Nicholas is now
a matter of solicitude, as the oc.
cupation of Warsaw is believed
TO be a prelude to the greater pur.
pose, that of enveloping the re.
treating forces.
Petrograd reports show that
the grand duke has retired to the
right bank of the Vestula both a,
Warsaw and Ivangorod and de-
stroying bridges at both points
also contesting the German ad
vance across the river. Back OF
the retreating Russians there i.
the vast morass of Central Pc
land with but few railways and
primitive roads, while back OF
Warsaw the only fortress avail.
able as rallying point for the
Russians is Brest -Litovsk. Thus
the Russians are menaced by
General Won Buelow's columns
bending southwark and by Field
Marshal Won Maclkensen S south.
ern army bending northward.
The Mankato free press., 1915-08-13
Twenty Years Of Continuous Teaching
Is Required For Retirement; Six
Can Now Join Fund.
From Erlday's Daily.

From Fridsy's Daily.
Five applications OF teachers for
retirement have been accepted by
trustees of the teachers insurance
and retirement fund.
Six teachers were made members
OF the fund association.
The teachers who may retire under
the new law passed by the 1915 legis-
lature are:
Edgar George, Mortified. taught
SO years; Rebecca Mortenson. Fari-
bault, 81 years; Emma l.. Lamp.
Northfleld, "a years; r. l.. IT. Lord.
Wells, 25 years. and Mrs. Belle Flood.
Swanville, 27-years.
The teachers who now become
members of the fund association are:
Miss Herta Weschke, New Ulm.
taught 19 years: r. A. Hill, Blue
Earth. Is years; lowell N. Childs.
Minneapolis. 33 years; Mrs Charlotte
e. Leslie, Northfield, rs years: o. A..
Brandt, Morgan, "a years..Sand Bessie
Walker. Fergus Falls. 50 years.
Those teachers who have retired
are eligible for pensions from the
fund to be created by one twentieth
OF one mill tax levy. which will bring
about $4,000 year, and assessments
to be paid by the teachers. A mini
mum of twenty years of service is re-
quired for retirement.
No pensions win be paid until Sep
tember I, 1916. At that time the
trustees will determine how much
each approved applicant may draw.
The Mankato free press., 1915-08-13
TIvoL
From Fridays Daily.

FFOH FFtudys odttys
Miss Leilah Harvey is assisting at
G. Ford's.
Misses Grace and Pearl Buchholtz
OF st. Clair, are entertaining the Sun
shine club today at the home OF their
aunt. Miss L. Bennett
Miss Francis Hoagland left Tues
day for Eagle Lake.
The Ladies' Aid was held yester-
day at the Harvey home and was
much enjoyed by all About twenty
six were present. The honor guests
we're Rev. F. Skewes and family and
Mrs. l.. Peters OF Eagle Lake, Mrs. G.
Wilkinson. who is visiting her son.
Walter. and Mrs Charles Hilton OF
St Clair. Mrs. Walter McBeth is
next hostess
Everybody is cordially invited to
the Tivoli school house next Sunday
afternoon to hear DIR. Cahoon preach.
He has spoken before to the Tivoli
people and his speaking is excellent
and much enjoyed by all. Service
begins at three. but come early and
attend Sunday school.
Quite n few Tivolians were at Man
kato Wednesday.
Mrs. II. Wilkinson attended the fu-
neral Of the late c. r. Bradley. who
was her cousin.
Mrs. w. Wilkinson visited with
Mrs. l.. J, Ford Wednesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. r. l.. Miller and
grandson. Raymond. visited Mrs. Mil
ler's brother. Alfred Peterson OF Bel
grade Wednesday
Mr.. and Mrs. ]. w. Morse were
Mankato callers Tuesday.
Miss Minnie Miller and Raymond
visited +. Mosher last Friday
Miss Anna Macbeth will commence
school again the 9th OF September.
at her former school near Amboy.
Good luck to Anna.
Mr.. G. Mosher called on his grand
mother. Mrs. r. Mosher Friday.
Owing to rain there was no serv-
ice last Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs. John Mosher and
family and Joe Mosher attended the
play at Mankato Friday evening.
Mr.. and Mrs. Buchholz and daugh-
ter visited at the ID. J. Musser homo
Sunday.
Mrs. b. Macbeth. who has been
staying with her daughter. Mrs. n.
Brett, has gone back to st. Clair to
visit friends.
Don't forget next Sunday afternoon
at three o'clock. BE at the Tivoli
school house to hear DIR. Cahoon talk
to the people present
F. Skewes. Jr returned home Mon
day after staying a week with Mrs.
Phalen.
The farmers are waiting for nice
weather. With hay down, spring
wheat ready to cut, all coming on at
once. we will have to order the days
to be longer
In the recent items Of Eagle Lake.
we notice the riece of three young
men on motors. caps on all ways.
Maybe they had earache or head
ache, but the ear and back Of the
head are not meant for caps or hats.
Wouldn't IL look ladylike to see a
young lady, hat on one ear. riding on
a motor. Am sure everybody would
make remarks. which would be a
lesson for all
The Mankato free press., 1915-08-13
LEAVING BALTIC CAPITAL.

Petrograd, August 6. Ten
thousand persons have been leav-
ing Riga, the Baltic capital, daily
for a week. Among the objects
most carefully removed from the
evacuated territory are the church
bells, many of them often too
large to be removed whole with
out erecting special frame work.
In such cases the bells were
sawed into pieces.
The Mankato free press., 1915-08-13
From fridays 5aIIv.
Were Guests Of Honor,

Mrs. w. L. Hixon of Minneapolis
and guest. Mrs. George Hixon of Chi.
cago, were guests of honor last even.
ing at q dinner party given by Mrs
q. Sherley, at "Highcroft," the sum.
mer home OF her daughter, Mrs
Thomas L. Shevlin. Covers were in
place Tor ten. Mrs. Hixon will give
dinner tonight at the Lafayette
club before the club hop. There wiz
be ten guests, Mrs. w. L. Hixon and
her guest will leave Sunday for L.
Crosse. where they will visit Frank
Hixon and HIS daughter, Miss Ellen
Hixon. for several days. Mrs. George
Hixon will return TO Chicago from
In Crosse.
The Mankato free press., 1915-08-13
House Party at Madison Lake.

Misses Ruth Cheseboro and Flor
ence Steece of Lake Okoboii. arrived
today. and are guests of Miss Marion
Brown. Miss Brown and her guests
and Misses Ruth Eaton. and Lillian
Nelson will spend the week with
house marty Of friepds at Point
Pleasant. Madison Lake.
The Mankato free press., 1915-08-13
Mrs. Wilson Entertains.

Mrs. James Wilson of 120 South
Fourth street entertained a company
of ladies yesterday afternoon in hon.
or of Mrs. Louis Hudson Of st. Louis,
Mo. who is the guest of Mrs. Emma
V. Bradley on North Sixth street. A
social afternoon was enjoyed and a
delicious supper was served by the
hostess. Mrs. Hudson is former
resident of Mankato, having lived here
eighteen years ago.
The Mankato free press., 1915-08-13
DIRIGIBLE FALLS.

Rome, August 6.-After an
Italian dirigible dropped bombs
on the Austrian fortress Pola to-
day, the balloon fell into the sea
with loss of three lives.
The Mankato free press., 1915-08-13
OCCUPY IvANGoRoD.

Vienna, August 6.-The occu-
patton of Ivangorod by the Aus
tro- German forces was announced
today in an official telegram from
the front.
The Mankato free press., 1915-08-13

grain. They say Il works fine and by
this new plan they will be able to
save their crops.
T. J. Lloyd went to Minneapolis
and ST. Paul Monday evening to
transact business.
The Mankato free press., 1915-08-13

July II, for Glasgow, was sunk
on Tuesday last. The crew Of
twenty-five and the chief officer s
wife and child were rescued after
being seventy-two hours in open
boats.
The Mankato free press., 1915-08-13
From Fridays oarp.
Peter Gamer Of Owatonna Dead.

owatonna, Mimi. August 6.-Peter
Gamer, seventy-nine years of age,
died az his home In this city today
from a complication of diseases. He
was one TO the city's most prominent
citizens and one OF the oldest resi-
dents of the county. Moving here
with his brother in 1865. he estab-
lished the first and only brewery In
Steele county. and was head of the
Owatonna brewing company. ons OF
the city's biggest institutions at the
time of hts skdeafhns Hp was uafftn
The Mankato free press., 1915-08-13
comIno Marriaoe Announced.

OpWIHu WdrFTdYc HHHUuHCeu.
Announcement has been made Of
the approaching marriage of Miss
Mamie Johnson and Mr.. Edward Drews
which will take place in this city on
August IL.
The Mankato free press., 1915-08-13
ANOTHER BOAT SUNK.

Queenstown, August 6.-The
British steamship Midland Queen.
The Mankato free press., 1915-08-13


European war is causing all this
trouble, we believe Il is the time for
Intervention, and President Wilson
to demand a halt at once IL not
sooner.
Robert Gray, eldest son of Mr.. and
Mrs. A. c. Gray, is celebrating his
tenth birthday by giving a party to
the boys in his Sunday School class.
Seventeen boys are present.
j. j. Flachsenhar of Mankato was a
business visitor i'm Vernon Saturday.
While here he was guest of Mrs.
Louer.
Mrs. A. E. Abel. and her daughter.
Miss Fern. 513 West Howard St,
Winona, are enjoying an outing at the
pleasant farm home of F. s. Heming-
way in North Vernon.
r.. Z. Conklin. who has been pro-
Irrietor of the Vernon Center Meat
Market for few years. sold out the
business to Will Rambo. Mr. Rambo
and family are preparing to move in
to town as soon as possible, and have
rented the Howard house. The
Rambo's have been contemplating
leaving the farm for some time. and
everyone is glad that they have de-
cided to locate in the village. A. c..
Gray will run the business for a few
months. We understand that Mr.. and
Mrs. Conklin have not fully decided
as to where they will locate.
Mertin Rich is down from Willow
City, N. Oak. to remain. until the be-
ginning OF school, with his uncle and
aunt. F. II. Barnes and Mrs. Ed
ward Washburn.
Mr. and Mrs. George Bartlett of
Rapisia n, = werefS psseefs of tf,ranfur