Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-05-17
DISCOUNT SPY THEORY
IN AUSTRIAN'S DEATH
Continued from paee one

Continued from PAGE one
home about two and a half years ago. He
remained there about year and then went
to Baltimore and Clarksbure w. va He
was absent about six months and then re-
turned here. He went to board with n fam
lily named Slmons, at Cornwells, about two
weeks ago.
Debreoseni's employers said today they
placed no belief whatever in the report that
he was a spy.
accompanied by Adolph Hedeman, employed
in the Office OF the main factory of Schultz &
Koertlng, at 18th and Thompson streets,
this city, when he took his fatal canoeing
trip
AS he was leaving the house the Young
Hungarian turned to the Simons family
group and said:
"If l don't come back be sure and search
for me-"
About o'clock that night Samuel sGu
bert and Joseph d. Rice, members of FISH
ing club, heard cries that came from tho
river. They rowed out and found an up
turned canoe with Heideman struggling
near X. Rice rushed over and r. npple6
with Heideman, who Is over six feet .pll
and weighs 225 pounds He managed to
hold the man as his comrade rowed to
shore.
There Heideman told of the death of his
friend. He said that Debreegeni had sunk
TO the bottom like stone without once
coming to the surface Rice says that
Heide told him that the firm of Schultz &
Koerting would see to It that he was never
In want for the rest of his life for resculng
him (Heideman) Tho latter was extremely
anxious about camera he had left at the
Simons home. lie was refused this and
other effects, as members OF the family
said they would release nothing until they
had been ordered to do so by the Coroner.
Deputy Coroner Rue was called to Corn
10 In nj f11ilaG
distant. He examined Heideman briefly,
and the man returned to this city the fol-
lowing day.
Rice and Shubert dragged the Delaware
River for the body and recovered 1t shortly
before midnight Saturday. 1t was turned
over to the Deputy Coroner, who had 1t re-
moved to Bristol.
TOLD OF ARREST.
According 20 statements made yesterday
by Mr.. Simons and his daughter Adelaide,
the young Hungarian told them that he
had been arrested by Government agents
in Charleston, S. c. All of his letters We're
written in either German or Hungarian.
Deputy Coroner Rue had some translated,
and four were signed "Ritter,"
These letters bearing CIficial seals. refer
to the mobilization Of Austrian army troops.
1t was said in bristol that Government
agents had said that the Ritter" referred
to was L ". Ritter, who was arrested in
Cleveland following the Lusltania cases,
and who made charges about bombs being
placed on ships.
The effects of Debreczeni consisted Of a
trunk and n large Gladstone bag contain
ing clothes, n box and n large envelope
containing papers and letters In German
and Hungarian, q camera, SIC in currency,
St40 In postal savings bank notes. dia-
mond stickpin and an iron ring.
The Smons family was astounded to |
hear that Debrec zeni should have drowned |
so easily. They said he told them that he |
often swan the Danube in his native coun- |
try He was short in stature. but we'll |
built.
The Simons family also was astounded to |
learn that Heideman had told the Coroner |
that he did not know Debreczeni well and |
did not know his, first name. According to |
Mr.. Simons and his daughter. Debreczeni |
and Heideman chatted in familiar fashion
at dinner. as IL they had known each other
for years
FEDERAL AGENTS INVESTIGATE.
1t was reported unreservedly in Corn
wells last night that for months Federal
agents had visited that place and made
many inquiries concerning the Schultz &
Koertlng plant which Is described as a
branch establishment, used mostly for the
testing OF water condensers for ships, which
the firm manufacturers