davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-05-26
THUNDER OF BIG CANNON At VERDUN
GERMANY

BERLIN, May 26.--German troops
have made further slight advances
northeast Of verdun, crossing a ra-
vine near Douaumont and throwing
the French back In the fighting south
OF Fort Douaumont, the war office
announced this afternoon.
Six hundred prisoners and twelve
machine guns were recaptured In the
Douaumont fighting.
On the west bank Of the Meuse a
French grenade attack west OF Hill
304 was repuised.
NO PEACE THIS SUMMER.
[By Carl w. Alderman, United Press
STAFF Correspondent
BERLIN, May 26.-President VIII
son should make no attempt to inter
vene In the European war at present,
two we'll Informed neutral anbassa-
dors told the United Press today.
Peace this summer Is impossible,
they agreed. Recent exchanges be-
tween the beIligerent capitals and
confidential information obtained
through diplomatic channels, con-
vInces them that each side 10 too con-
fident Of Its ability to win the mill
tary victories this summer to listen to
peace proposals.
One ambassador said he thought
fighting would cease In October, ap-
parently basing his opinion on the
conviction that this summers fighting
will only emphasize the deadlock.
Peace negotiations, he suggested
v,otrjd then be carried on throughout
the winter, taking at least year for
their conclusion.
Both ambassadors, however, believe
that as matters stand now some 9TH
err neutral, rather than the United
States, will have hetter chance Of
succeeding in peace proposals.
Whether President Wilson takes a
very firm stand against the allied
blockade depends on his acceptabiiity
from the German viewpoint az media
tor.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-05-26
Girl. WANTS LOVE LETTERS
RETURNED BY THE COURT

May 26.@With the jury now two
thirds complete, rapid progress in
the trial of William H Orpet for
Marian Jambert's murder was ex-
pected this afternoon
Four more jurors, making up the
second panel, were accepted before
noon. OF the eight men now in the
box, all but one Is married and has
a family. The state has insisted on
family men, selecting, when possible,
those who have daughters near the
age Of Marian Lambert
The new jurors accepted today
are:
J. ]. Brand, fiftyfive, married
Highland Park, a PAINTER, has two
children.
E. J. Book, grocer, married. High
land Park
James o'Shea, married, piano sales
man, Waukegan;, has two children.
Sam Bradbury, publisher Of a
weekly newspaper at Lake Bluff,
married and has four children.
The first four jurors accepted were
Carl Shreck, a single man of Liberty
vile; Len Barthell. married, father
of a 16 year old daughter, foreman of
an ice house, and residing in Antioch;
Chas. Steinhanp, father of seven
children, retired merchant OF
Waukegan; c. B. Small, father Of five
girls and three boys. = farmer OF Hls.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-05-26
Jury in Orpet Case is no Place
Near Finished on the
Eleventh Day.

COURT ROOM, WAUKEGAN. i'll
May 26.-CeIeste Youker, tie girl VIII
Orpet hoped to marry, will make a
personal appeal to Judge Charles Don
nelly for the return to her of the
letters she wrote Orpet, it was said
today, as Orpet's trial for the muir
der of Marian Lam bert reached its
eleventh day.
These letters, now locked in the
vaults at the court house, Will be used
by the prosecution of Orpet to prove
a motive-his love for another wom-
an-in the death of Marian, if Judge
Donneiiy consents to their use.
Donnelly has said he will bar the
letters if possible.
The seventh panel of 100 men for
jury service reported today. With
only four jurors permanently accept
ed, both state and defense have used
SO many peremptory challenges they
have only ten each left.
Rapid Progress Now.
- COURT ROOM. WAUKEEAN. Ill,
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-05-26
Jury Acquitted Her Of Grim
inal Charge and Freed
Two Detectives.

CHICAGO, May 26.-The stage was
Set today for the third act In the
Matters baby melodrama. The scene
today Is the court Of Federal Judge
Lands and this act may end the play.
Mrs. Dolne IIedgerwood Matters,
who was acquitted last night by cir
cuff court jury Of the charge of fofst-
ing a spurious heir on her husbands s
estate, was to appear before the fed
eral judge today and fight for posses
sion OF the baby.
Margaret Ryan. a Canadian country
girl, who said she is the real mother
of the Matters baby, Is seeking its
custody in the fight before Judge
Landis.
Mrs. Matters now has scored a
victory and a defeat in the first two
acts Of the Matters baby case. A pro-
bate court ruling held the child was
not hers; the jury last night ac-
quilted her of criminal charge and
also freed two detectives who were
lAdlcte6 v1kA her - conlDdratoss.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-05-26
II,,AL !

BBy John Il. HearIey, United Press
Staff Correspondents
ROME, May ga terrific smash
within few weeks, aimed at elim-
mating the Turks and BuIgars from
the war will be tho allies first great
stroke for peace.
This 10 the report In general cIrcu.
IatIon here today. Heavy allied
blows from Salonika and In Mesopo-
tamia will be followed by tremen-
dous offensive against Austro-Ger-
mans in an attempt to win the war
before winter.
French, English, Serbian and italian
forces are reported concentrated at
SaIonika awaiting the word to strike
against the BuIgars and Germans in
southern Serbia. (This is the first re-
port that Italian troops are at Sa-
Ionika.) Meanwhile the Russians are
pressing on toward Basdad, rolling
back the Turks.
The public continues to watch with
confidence the official statements fol-
lowing the situation on the Trentlno
front.
It is now reported that the first
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-05-26
MRS. MATTERS NOT GUILTY
BUT MAY LOSE THE BABY
Case 10 Delayed.

CHICAGO, May 26-Mrs. Dollie
Ledgerwood Matters, freed Of Grim.
inal charge in the Matters baby case.
sought a delay today in the actual
battle for possession Of the chill.
Acqu tied by Jury of the charge OF
foisting the baby on her husbands
estate as a spurious heir. Mrs. Mat
ters was to have staged q fight be-
fore Federal Judge Landis today
against Margaret Ryan, a Canadian
girl, who claims she is the real
mother of the child and is seeking its
custody.
Her attorneys, however, pleaded
that the baby is ill and that because
the criminal court trial did not end
until yesterday, they have not had
time to perfect their appeal.
The federal court proceedings is a
habeas corpus case, involving the
baby as an Immigrant" in that it was
born in a Canadian hospital.
Margaret Ryan said today she
wanted her baby, but was glad Mrs.
Matters was acquitted.
ri didn't want her to go to prison.
she said.
Judge Lands granted delay until
next Wednesday morning. Miss Ryan
tainted in the court room. after crying
out, II want my baby" when the post
ponement vas granted The baby was
TOO Al. 10 be brougnt into court
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-05-26
Poisoner Smiles as He Tells
of Staying His Wife's Parents

the crowd in check, but a scramble
ensued Immediately when prospective
spectators were permitted to file in.
Women were barred.
Mrs Horton and the man from
Egypt figured in Waite's testimony
when the cross examination was TAX
en- up.
"Do you remember telling Detec-
tive Duniff that you did not want
your wife to find out about Mrs. Hor-
ton?"
Waite admitted writing about Mrs
Horton from Bellevue.
"And you were taking insanity at
Believer"
81 was not"
did you conspire with others in
the Tombs to get up an insanity de-
fense?"
II did not
did you mention the man from
Egypt while at Believer"
mo, not at Bellevue, but I did else
where"
'eYou confessed yesterday that you
have been liar and a thief all Of
your life. What assurance have we
that you are telling the truth now?"
An objection to this was sustained.
"Uen bIOIueTS asked waite III ne
expected to get couple of million
dollars after the death of Peck, the
dapper young dentist replied that he
did not expect that much" He
said he planned to leave the city, but
denied that ne intended going away
with Mrs. Horton.
"You do not deny your guilt?''
queried Brothers.
ST have never denied it."
''What is your defense?"
Il am making no defense"
Waite reiterated that he did not
know whether he loved Clara Peck.
"And you placed arsenic in Mr..
Peck's mouth with the intent that he
should die?''
81 did"
Hero Justice Shearn took up the
questioning of the prisoner.
You knew it was wrong to steal ?"
81 did"
~And then you knew it was wrong
to MURDER
Yes, 1 think I did"
"When you were in the Christian
Endeavor society you learned 1t was
against the law of God?'
Eyes, think I did"
In another reference to Mrs. Hor-
ton under Brothers examination,
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-05-26

NEw york.. May 26.-Eis un.
precedented story Of murder and at.
tempted murder told, DR.. Arthur War.
rem Waite will today face cross ex-
animation in his trial for the poison
ing of his millionaire father-in-law,
John e. Peck of Grand Rapids.
The smiling defendant, who in a five
hours direct examination told of two
murders and a vain attempt at
third, stands today the most remark
able crimina1ist. His story utterly
amazes men who have for years been
listening to stories Of hardened
wretches told in their hours Of re-
morse.
His boyishness, his charming man
ner, persisted through his story. He
confessed his murders without tre-
NOR, but shrunk and blushed and
hung his head when he found it neces-
sary to utter vile world.
Greed, he told was the motive for
the crimes.
It came out in two questions:
.swhy did you administer germs and
poison to the Pecks?" he was asked.
II wanted them to die"
"Why did you want them to die?"
Wdul0u JllSll LhOAcy.
At times grinning, at times serious,
DR.. Waite told the story. He would
smile with pleasure when searching
his memory, he could reveal to the
Jury a point he had forgotten. The
salient points revealed in his confess
sion from the witness stand are:
That he did not, nor does not know
whether he loved Clara Peck.
He made her love him because her
parents were wealthy.
The idea of the poisoning came to
him as soon as he met Clara after his
return from South Africa in 1914.
He administered germs to the
wealthy Miss Katherine Peck before
his marriage to Clara. The germs
were given her in gifts Of food
dainties.
After the marriage, when Mrs. John
e. Peck, his mother-in-law, arrived
here, he was ready for her and
started the germ administration at
once, daily slipping deadly disease
bacilli into her milk, coffee and all
other food at which he had chance.
When she died, he got ready for
John E. Peck.
For a long time he gave Peck
disease germs in a vain attempt to
kill him
He sprinkled Peck's bed sheets
with water, hoping he would catch
cold and de,
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-05-26

prove platform IN which tho $50
cial Justice" planlzs Of 1912 have only
an important place, II any at all,
they intsnd to name q candidate Of
their own and make an independent
fight.
Progressive republican senator's
have decided their work at Chicago
will be to have as much of the ''pro-
gressive' program as possible, IN the
republican platform.
They will attempt to obtain definite
If secondary. planks on Humanitarian
Legislation, control of trusts, and rafI
way regulation Apparently tina recall
Of judges and the recall OF Judicial de-
cisions WILL have no friends at all in
the republican gathering.
I'VE will contend" said leading
ogressiverrepublican senator today,
that If the nation owes Its citizens
on the high seas absolute protection
from danger, it is under obligations
to see that he is fairly treated at
home and at work.
Individually, LaFolfette will make
an effort to prevent the seaman's bill
from attack; Senator Kenyon for
declaration against pork barrel legis
lation; Senator Borah end Senator
MOTIFS lOT ll6 leg uILlOu VI ty
securities by the Interstate commerce.
commission.
Kansas Wants Hughes.
CHICAGO, May 26- Roosevelt
boosters today asked the colonel to
address mass meeting in Chicago
Monday. during his four hour stay
here enroute to Kansas City. An
automobile parade and other features
of a demonstration. for Roosevelt were
arranged.
The political CLANS opened headquar-
ters at Chicago hotels today.
Few of the presidential candidates
now are not represented.
John w. Dwight. chairman Of E1ihu
Roots campaign committee, was
among the arrivals. He said Root
sentiment was growing stronger
every minute and that Roots name
will be represented to the convention
by majority Of the New York defe-
cation.
David Mulvane Of Kansas, a Taft
leader in 1912, said here today that
"Kansas is growing stronger for
Hughes, but would never tolerate
Roosevelt"
Missouri Not for T. r.
ST. LOUIS, Mo-. May 26.-Repubifs
cans again monopolfzed the Hmelight
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-05-26
AUSTRIA

VIENNA, May 26.-Austrian troops
have stormed and captured the
strongly fortified italian positions at
Chiesa, twenty-one miles northwest Of
Vicenza, after three days battle,
It was officially announced today. The
Austrian victory drives wedge In
the italian front and will force the
Italian left wing in the Adige valley
to fall back more than five miles up
on the town Of 4Ala. AT the same
time It increases the heavy pressure
on the whole Italian line Of fortifica-
tions from Pasubio to the Arsiero
forts, now threatened with capture.
The c41lesa positions, carrying the
Austrian advance down the ValIarsa
valley, were captured by the Austrian
right wing. Tho Austrians attacked
with great spirit after artillery had
partly wrecked the enemy works and
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-05-26

| Finally despairing of the subtle
means, he bought arsenic and admin.
| istered it not once but, as he remem
| bered, about four times. At mid
night on March IL, when Peck was
in his death agonies, he went into his
room, gave him chloroform and then
held pillow down over his face until
Peck was dead from the joint effects
of arsenic, chIoroform and smother.
ing.
After making funeral arrangements
he then went to bed and slept
soundly.
His relations with Mrs. Margaret
Horton, Studio Margaret" and now
Margaret, the traitor" were as she
related them, pure and platonfc.
While he talked, the father sat in a
remote part Of the court room with
his two other sons and sobbed.
Sometime today the experts on in
sanity are to take the stand and tes-
the point where he did not know right
murder of Peck.
Amazing Story Resumed.
NEW YORK, Hay 26.-Calm admis-
sion that he had planned to kill his
wife as well as her parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. John E. Peck, of Grand Rapids,
and Miss Catherine Peck, her aunt,
was made on the witness stand to-
day by DR.. Arthur Warren Waite,
when he resumed his amazing story
Of the arch poison plot through which
he hoped to gain the Peck millions.
Waite denied that he attempted to
kill Mrs. Waite, but said he had con-
sidered it.
Asked the fiat question, "are you
crazy?' on cross examination, Waite
replied:
'T think not"
Didn't you sat at Bellevue that you
were ready to pay the penalty with
your life?" asked Assistant District
Attorney Brothers.
Il did,
do you care now what becomes o:
your
Il want to do what is right"
What did you take the sulphonol
and trionol for on the day Of your ar
rest?''
81 wanted to kill myself
The greatest crowd that has storm
ed the criminal building since the
opening of the sensational trial was.
On hand today. Ions lines of men
and women were waiting before the
Coos opened. A=sQuad of police held
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-05-26
Parrot viii Shrek.

CHICAGO, May ga poll parrot,
who shrieks votes for women" and
votes, votes, votes" will be placed
on a decorated perch in front of the
Michigan avenue headquarters of the
suffragettes here during the republi-
can and progressive conventions.
The suffragettes have been busy for
the past week training the parrot,
who, of course, is a lady bird.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-05-26
If the People Want Roosevelt as Republican
Candidate He Will be Given the
Nomination.
AND THE HATCHET WILL BE BURIED
Progressives From the West Say They Do Not
Intend to Let Colonel be Too
Dictatorial.

NEW YORK, May 2e.-The climax
of the pre-convention campaign in
the east will come tomorrow. It will
be the day on which Colonel Roose-
velt is expected to reiterate his "key.
note" in receiving 1900 pilgrims at
Oyster Bay; 1t may be the day on
which the Hughes boomers will make
their first claim Of delegates.
But after tomorrow most of the
before the battle" atmosphere will
breeze away to Chicago, the conven-
tion city.
Governor Whitman's presence IN
New York lent impetus to the Hughes
boom. Frank H. Hitchcock, who has
just gum-shoed the south in the In
terest Of the justice, was silent
picture of optimism.
Governor Whitman said the Justice
would undoubtedly be nominated.
Although the Root headquarters arc
now speeding to Chicago in the per.
sons Of Representative Dwight and
Charles M. Pepper, the former sena-
tors friends ridiculed the Hughes
boom.
Senator Sherman Of Illinois, who
happened to be in New York, declared
that Roosevelt would have a square
deal at Chicago.
IF the people want him he will be
nominated" the nlinoisan asserted.
Despairing of making any sort OF a
forecast of the nominee, the general
run Of non-partisan political leaders
here have been discussing vice presi-
dent names considerably. It is admit
ted the running mate job will be
traded"
Burrough, Cummins, Whitman, Had
ley, Senator Wadsworth of New York,
and Sherman of Illinois have all been
N entioned.
Progressive PIana.
WASHINGTON, May 26.-If Colo
mel Roosevelt wins the Chicago con-
vention. William Howard Taft will
be for him. This news came to re-
publican leaders here today from d
source close to both Roosevelt and
Taft. The latter, in the city for the
League to Engorce Peace meeting,
would not give confirmation.
He would only chuckle and shake
his head when asked about the report
between chuckles, he said:
why should I comment on such a
violent hypothesis?'
With this, however, came a repor.
that a number of western delegates
to the progressive convention do not
intend to follow Roosevelt in any
path he may select. Should he en-
deavor to endorse a candidate of the
conservative type, or should he ap-
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-05-26
One American Killed.

By new French process aluminium
can be SO substantially nickelplated
that the metal can be hammered and
bent without cracking
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-05-26
FRANCE

PARIS, May 26.-French troops re-
pulsed German attacks on the west
bank Of the Meuse, northwest Of Yer
dun in last nights fighting and made
gains on the east bank, the war office
announced today.
BY smashing counter attack, the
French recaptured the trench lost yes
terday near Thiaumont farm, east ,f
the Meuse. Near the farm the French
advanced by a grenade attack.
West Of the river, the Germans con-
tInued to rake the whole French front,
especially around Dead Mans hill
and near Avocourt with the most
violent fire. The Germans attempted
an Infantry attack which was cut
short by curtain fire from the French
guns.
For thIrty-sIx hours there has been
no cessation In tho cannonadfng
around Hill 3o4 and Avocourt The
German artillery attack here is be-
lleved to be the prelude to an at
tempt to storm HiiI so4 and capture
the Avocourt positions, bringing the
railway, leading eastward to verdun.
Further gains by the Germans on
both banks Of the Meuse has aroused
the French capital to the seriousness
Of the situation at Verdun. No anxiety
10 felt here. Even should the French
be forced eventually to evacuate the
fortress because Of the continued ad-
vance Of the crown princes right
wing, there would be no alarm in
Paris. But It 10 realized that the Ger
mans this week have concentrated
their forces In tho heaviest strokes
yet delivered against the citadel
So terrific has been the infantry
struggle waged on all sectors Of Yer
dun this week, that Il is impossible
to make accurate estimates Of the
losses. How many u1counted dead
and wounded lie on the. slopes of
Dead Mans hill and in the guIlies
and woods near Douaumont fort will
not be known until the artillery tenn
porarily ceases belchino flame across
the battlefield.
RENEWAL OF BATTLE.
LONDON, May 26.-vioient artii-
Iery fighting, preparing the way for a
renewal Of the pitched battle between
tvso great armies around Verdun were
reported In dispatches from Paris
and Berlin this afternoon.
Tho IuiI in Infantry fighting since
early yesterday, coupled with. heavy
cannonadIno 10 believed to indicate a
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-05-26
American Troops Run Across Band of Out
laws and Shot Down Two, Including
Cervantes.
TRUCK DRIVERS WERE ASSAULTED
Feeling Of Hostility is Growing Among Natives,
Who Throw Rocks at American
Soldiers.

will result in conflict between the
troops.
The Carranza soldiers at the gar.
rfson Of Nueva Casas Grandes, near
the American base at Colonia Dub
Ian, have been reported as strikingly
hostile. Several times recently the
army motor trains have encountered
barbed wire obstacles in the roadway
near that town. The train just ar
rived reported having ran into the
barrier In the darkness. While re-
moving the wire. the Americans were
jeered by a crowd of Mexfcans,
among whom were uniformed men.
The jeers were followed by shower
Of stones. Several Americans were
painfully hurt. Captain Harper, in
command Of the train, prevented the
Americans from using their guns
and the incident passed without
bloodshed.
The American force is straighten-
inx its line into Mexico and In conse-
quence the American troops are
about to be withdrawn from Boco
Grandes, Espia and Oto Fredrico. The
new trail runs directly southwest to
Ascencion, seventy miles distant.
The officers OF the Quartermaster's
corps, who have been working out
plans for caring for the troops dur
ing the approaching wet season say
their plans are in such shape that
the American column will be cared
for, even II the roads become inn
passa!ble.
coWtmartiai at San Antonio.
wASHINGTON, May 26.-General
Funston recommended to the war de-
partment today that Fort Sam Hous-
ton, San Antonio. Texas, be the place
for holding the court martial OF the
1l6 Texas militiamen who failed to
respond for muster for border duty.
He also submitted list of regular
army and militia officers to consti-
tute the court. President Wilson was
expected today, to take formal action
in ordering the court.
One American Killed.
WASHINGTON, May 26-Official
reports Of the fight between American
troops and Mexican bandits near Cru
ces, received at the war department
today, contained the Information that
Lance Corporal Davis Marksbury, ma
chine gun detachment, Seventeenth
infantry, was the soldier killed.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-05-26
Growing Hostility.

growing hostility to Americans has
been reported from along General
Pershing,s line Of communication in
to Mexico. Truck drivers handling
communication trains have SO far
been the chief sufferers, but there is
growing fear among army men at
the Columbus base that the tension