The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-06
H. S: NEW KILLS
HIS BETR0THED
Man Claiming to Be Son Of
Senator Says Girl Refused
to Marry Him.
HELD ON MURDER CHARGE
Takes Victims Body in Auto
mobile to Los Angeles
Police Station.
HELD ON MURDER CHARGE

cpocbut DcSpuICh TO IHb Dun.
Los ANGELES. July 5.-Close on the
heels of Harry S. News confession
that he murdered his sweetheart,
F'rieda ]. Lesser. in a lonely canyon
miles from Los Angeles last midnight
came the disclosure to-day that the
young woman was the daughter OF
Emil Lesser, for whom secret service
men are searching the world on the
assumption he is a German spy.
According to News confession he
drove with Miss Lesser to the remote
canyon, discussing all the while their
marriage, which was to have taken
place tomorrow night. During the
conversation, he says, she insisted that
the wedding must be postponed, as she
intended to put herself under the care
Of a nurse tonight and their child
never would be born.
New claims to be a son OF Senator
New OF Indiana, saying his parents were
divorced seventeen years ago.
This statement shocked me beyond
description" said New. "and ] remon-
strated with Miss Lesser until in heat
OF passion she declared she never would
be the mother OF my child. This an
gered me to the point Of insanity and
drawing a revolver from a pocket in the
car shot her through the head.
Death Wa. instantaneous.
"She fell forward. l lifted her back
into the seat, but she could not speak.
/ think she died instantly. After that
drove aimlessly about for four hours,
holding her dead hand with one hand
and steering the car with the other.
Often I stopped and kissed her dead
face. hoping vainly by my love TO sum-
mon back her spirit. Finally l decided
the only thing l could do was to sur
render myself to the police. so l drove
TO Central Station and gave myself up,
delivering her body 10 the police.
II do not know or care what will be-
come OF me. unless l can get the death
penalty and join her in heaven"
Miss Lesser's mother Indignantly de-
MED to-day that her daughter was in
a delicate condition.
New served on the Mexican border
In 1916 with an Indiana contingent and
had good record as soldier. lie
was rejected when the United States
entered the world war.
News Mother on the Way.
Mrs. Lulu NJ Berger who says she is
the divorced wife OF Senator New. who
had been in Indianapolis. was reported
on her way TO fight for her sons lie
Lesses, the father OF News victim,
following suspicion that he was an agent
OF the Kaiser, mysteriously disappeared
from Los Angeles. few days later
his clothing was found on one OF the
beach piers, but no further trace or
him has been discovered.
Government operatives assert he
slammed suicide TO avoid arrest as a
spy. Following his disappearance. his
wife was prominent figure In the
local courts. where she waged Sc
ries OF suits to recover thousands OF
dollars in Insurance on policies her hus-
band had held IN various companies, A
similar suit Is pending. Prior to COM
coming TO Los Angeles from Birming-
ham. Ala, these suits showed. Lesser
had been suspected Of having poisoned
four men.
WASHINGTON July 5-Senator New
issued a statement tonight denying that
he and Mrs Burger ever were married
or divorced. When shown despatch
from Indianapolis quoting Mrs. Burger
the Senator said:
THE only thing I care to add Is that
the statement from any source that
Mrs. Burger and were ever either
married or divorced at any time or
under any name is absolutely untrue"
INDIANAPOLIS, July Mrs. Lulu
Burger. mother OF Harry S. New who
to-day surrendered to the Los Angeles
police as the murderer Of Miss Frleda
Lesser, left Indianapolis early this
evening for her home in Glendale. Cal.
Mrs. Burger stated that New is the son
OF Senator Harry S. New OF Indiana
and that she was divorced from Senator
New about eighteen years ago Mrs.
Burger added that she expected TO wire
Senator New and solicit his aid in be-
ba1 Of