The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-11-05
Mrs. Thompson Charged
With Corruption of
Lutte" Pruyn.
HELENA COURT WILL
HEAR CASE ARGUED
Change of Venue Secured by
MissOula Woman Held
as Halls Aide.

Mrs Nan Thompson of MiSSoula
third member of the trio accused OF
corrupting and exploiting Ellen Lu-
cetta Pruyn. a motherless 14year-old
girl will face trial OF the charges
against her in Helena today. Before
District Judge Poornan, Fred r. An
gevine. county attorney. will present
the evidence with which he hopes TO
prove that Mrs. Thompson was Grim
inally involved with Frank G. Hall.
once city treasurer. in the downfall of
Lutte" Pruyn. The charge against
the woman is that she procured a
minor child for immoral purposes
Frank Hall is now serving in the
state penitcntiary Il 14-year sentence
for the rape of the Pruyn girl Mrs
John Mathcson said, to have been the
other member of the trio, committed
suicide shortly after Angevine began
his investigation, stoutly asserting her
innocence 10 the end.
Girl Victim for Two Years.
latte" Pruyn had been the victim
of Halls hestinlity for two years. she
said, before she revealed the sordid
history 10 the prosecutor. The story
she told then involved half a dozen
persons with Hall, Mrs. Thompson and
Mrs. Matheson in principal roles.
Briefly stated, the story with which
LATTE" pruyn secured the conviction
of Hall. March 13 of this year. is as
follows:
Nearly three years ago little Ellen
Pruyn, daughter of II. !. Prnyn, "a
painter living in Missoula. attracted
the notice of Frank c. Hall, then run
ming a. grocery store in South Mis-
soula. Hall kept bothering her more
or less with open vicious suggestions
until the girl went to live with Mrs.
John Matheson. who seemed to have
taken a liking to her.
Uurged On BY Woman.
When she told Mrs. AIatheson of
Hairs actions Mrs. Matheson, the girl
said, told her to do what Hall wanted.
I'VE will have something on him.
is the reason Mrs. Matheson gave, ac-
cording to the girl.
Hall began visiting the Matheson
home during the daytime. and was left
alone with the girl. Lutte finally
yielded to him.
The relationship which began thus
continued, the girl has said, with the
knowledge and encouragement of the
ehild's guardian until Hall and Mrs.
Matheson became estranged.
To Live With Mrs. Thompson.
The girl was soon sent by her father
to the home Of Mrs. Nan Thompson,
wife of a Northern Pacific train dis
hatcher. There the old relationship
was resumed, with Sam. +. Hender-
son. a gambler, completing the party.
Throughout, the girl declared she
was an unwilling victim. Pressure
brought to bear upon her by Hall and
Mrs. Thompson kept her obedient, she
says. In part this pressure consisted
of frequent gifts of money, said by
the girl to have been cxtortcd and
largely used by Mrs. Thompson.
Money Caused Exposure.
Eventually this eXtortion. according
10 the girls story. brought about
trouble between Hall and Mrs. Thomp-
son. The latter sent the girl to the
blank checks and the two made them
ont in Halrs name and had them
cashed. The money. the girl says, was
spent for silks. for Mrs. Thompson.
and cotton, for the girl
Hall complained to the county au-
thorities about these checks. An in
yestigation was begun, and before Hall
had time to move the Pruyn girl had
told the whole story.
Girl to Be Witness.
Lutte" Plrlyn will he the chief wit
ness of the state in the trial of Mrs
Thompson. just as she was in tn.
prosecution of Hall. Hall probably
win be brought from the state peni-
fentiary to testify. and others involved
in the Hall case. including Sam T.
Henderson. who accompanied the final
contingent of Missoula county's draft
quota to Camp Lewis Saturday. will
!. be placed on the stand.
Today will be wholly spent. 1t Is be-
Iisved, IN the selection Of jury.