Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-06-10


of a good woman in their des,
perate determination to justify the
unwarranted early morning inva-
sion by Detectives Herdzina and
Armstrong of the privacy of Mrs.
Thomas Browns home, = SOB North
Twerty-frst street, the arrest of
the delicate woman and the subse-
quent cruel and humiliating treat
ment of her, officials of the police
department and the Detention
home administered a gruelling
third degree to the three girls
taken from 2106 Cass street in an
effort to force them to swear to
false statements detrimental to
Mrs. Browns character.
Five persons connected with
Dean Ringers department, includ
ing Mr.. Ringer himself, Chief
Eberstein, Detectives Haze and
Miss Alta Berger, used their most
strenuous endeavors to get the
girls to make derogatory charges
against this prominent church and
club woman. according to the
statements of Mrs. Esther Apple
gate and Mrs. Helen Baldwin, who
reluctantly were released from the
Detention home when outside
pressure was brought to bear.
Despite the demoralizing and
rapid fire cross examination, con
Quoted by all five persons at once,
the girls stood up under the try
- ing ordeal.
Refused Unjust Demands.
They refused to comply with
the unjust demands. However,
they were compelled to sign state
ments, the import of which, they
declared, they were not permitted
to understand fully.
Mrs. Applegate was released
Saturday. Mrs. Baldwin was
given her freedom the following
day.
Miss Alta Berger Sunday nigh
visited Mrs. Applegate and threat
ened to imprison her again in the
Detention home if she did not
sign paper, which she repre-
sented to be stenographic repor:
of the third degree given the girl
in the Detention home.
Rather than be subjected again
to her experience in the institu-
ton, Mrs. Applegate signed the
paper out of fear, she declared
yesterday.
When Mrs. Baldwin was given
her liberty she was threatened
witE Imprisonment again in the
Detention hcme if she did not
leave Omaha Immediately.
This is taken as an effort on
the part of the Police department
to get rid of the girl before she
had an opportunity to testify be-
fore the city council today when
an investigation of the Brown
case will be conducted pursuant
to the complaint filed yesterday
by Attorney Lloyd A. Magney,
Mrs. Browns attorney.
Girl Will Tell Story.
Mrs. Baldwin is staying with
her sister in Council Bluffs. 1t
was her purpose to leave this
section of the country, but when
assured by her attorney, J. R.
Lones, that the police and the
offie ia1s of the Detention home
would not be allowed to molest
her, she was emphatic in the dec
laration of a purpose to appear
at the city hall today and offer
to tell all she knows about the
outrageous conduct of the police
on the night of Mrs. Browns ar
rest and the Imprisonment of the
girls who live in the Cass street
house.
Mrs. Applegate also declared
she would be in the council cham
Der when the case is called. She
said she would be glad to tell
everything she knew in connec-
ton with the affair, despite the
inti;nidating methods of the heads
or the Police department.
Mrs. Baldwin's father, H. g..
Oviatt, of Shenandoah, Ia, arrived
in the city Friday night when he
heard his daughter was in trouble,
and although ne called at the 'e-
tention home repeatedly, he was
not allowed to see his daughter
until Sunday. Mr.. Oviatt vas
told he could talk to the girl then
. and would be permitted to take
her away, if he would sign a sta'e.
ment agreeing IL take her out O.
the state before the trial OF De-
tectives Herdzina and Armstrong.
+ Mrs. Baldwin wired her parent
last night to come to Omaha to-
day and tell of his experience
with the officials at the detention
home, in the event the members
of the council cared to question
him on the subject. -
Husband Employs Attorney.
Mrs. Baldwin's husband, R. +
Baldwin, who just has returned
from France. where he served
with the United States army. also
left his home in Shenandoah ard
came to Omaha Saturday. He
employed attorneys and ex-
hausted every possible endeavor
to get to see his wife. He was
not allowed TO do so.
Mr.. Baldwin also will be at the
council meeting today, and 1e-
slared he would be glad to rela:e
his experience with the official,
at the detention home.
Miss Wilma Reed still is being