davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-02-29

N ties and wiles" which Mrs.
" Shonts swears Amanda Thomas
made use of to prey ruthlessly" like a
Vampire upon President Shonts?
Mr.. Warren Dixon and Mr.. George w.
Files, the attorneys for Mrs. Shonts, assert
that the evidence they will present Will
lay bare a story unparalleled by anything
of the kind in the history of the American
courts Mrs. Thomass lawyer calls the
charges preposterous and slanderous.
Last Sunday on this page were told some
of the strange circumstances surrounding
the death of President Shonts and the ap-
pearance of Mrs. Amanda Caskie Thomas
with "last will" made in her favor and
bill of sale turning over to her all the fur
nishings Of Shonts's apartment ana bis
country home, where Shonts and Amanda
had passed so many happy week-ends
together.
Shonts's widow and her friends estimate
the traction magnate's fortune at not less
than four millions and perhaps eight mill
ions. But after his death Mrs. Thomas
and her friends presented list OF the
dead traction magnates property amount
ing to only half a million.
Where has the Shonts fortune gone?
That is Just what the widow and the two
daughters, Theodore (the Duchess du
Chaulnes, a widow, with one boy, the little
Duke du Chaulnes) and Marguerite, the
wife of Mr. Rutherford Bingham. and also
the mother OF one child, Of New York, In
tend to find out. II Mrs. Thomas has the
Shonts millions the courts viii be asked
to make my friend Amanda" disgorge
them
The marriage OF Shonts and Milla Drake
thirty-three years ago was n love match.
The bride was the daughter OF Governor
Drake of Iowa and president OF several
railroads. Shonts was railroad employe.
They were married In 1887, and for twenty
years Shonts was a generous. fndulgeht
and affectionate husband and father.
II was not until Amanda Caskie Thomas
came into his life that Shonts neglected
and abused his family, Mrs. Shonts asserts.
At first Shonts kept HIS relations with Mrs.
Thomas very quiet. He visited her Sc
cretly and denied with much vehemence
that he was wasting his time and squan'
dered his money on her, so Mrs. Shonts de
clares. II appears to have been In 1906
that Mfs. Thomas first met Shonts.
Mrs Shonts and her daughters CMr
Shonis had remained in America) had met
Mrs. Thomas aboard ship on trip TO
Europe In September, 1905. They came
across each other now and then in Europe
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-02-29

Il was "unbearable" for Shonts and my
friend Amanda" He cared not snap of
his finger for the misery Of his wife and
daughters But the ill-smelling scandal
which followed him everywhere was "un-
bearable" for Shonts. Would he break of
relations with Amanda and thus stop the
scandal? Certainly not! - 4.
Any sacrifices that we're to be made
should be made by the innocent ones. He
would throw overheard his wife and exile
his daughters to make the road smoother
for Mrs. Thomas ana MN to travel st,
OF Mrs. Thomas's nastfimonial ventures
the marriage with Walter u. Yeager was
the least prontsble- Yesger was thief
and finally was caught sn9 given an
eighteen-yesr prison sentenoe.
When she mnfried Herbert Thomas tho
financial prospects certainly seemed bright.
But the money Thomas had soon few and
Thomas himself ran away. 80
In one way or another Mrs. Thomas al
ways managed to have plenty Of clothes
and Hive In very comfortable style
whether on a chorus girls salary or as
the wife Of q ysSa-week clerk If. she
hadn't the cash to pay--well. things could
be charged.
And so II came abost that IN the year.
1907 quite a neat little bundle OF bills that
had been charged" began to annoy her
Tradesmen were unsympathetic, and they
got so that they really began 70 ask Mrs.
Thomas to. please pay for those gov,
and silk things and htes and jowcryT
well, there we're more th-.. sso,y"0 OF such.
little things that Amanda bad been get
ting from the shops and didn't seqle ~.
But Mrs. Thomas hadn't the men"y t3
pay " was very embarrassing. The
tradesmen went TO the courts, grc"7d y; 4
claims and got judgment for The am1'3,'
OF their bills. Az last they 10 thsG
patterned and made Mrs. Tbr"1a - = ?
court and explain why she elon' run
around to all those shop 90 - Y ngs
and have no money to pay for then
Now, this particular bruct %. - Ia +.
suits, judgments and trouble wafer al
outfit of clothes and iewelry boaJ,t IN
London and Paris Mrs. Thomas sas IN
Europe in 1905 and l906-but not with he
husband Where she got the money
travel on is not made .clear--that 81
didn't have the money to pay these bills
Is entirely clear from the court record.
- a "
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-02-29

home he showed evil
dences of having been
drinking.
Where had Shonts been
that evening? Would he
have been likely to do
much drinking at a "busi-
ness meeting?
The Shonts family at
this time we're all living
at the Hotel Plaza, Fifth
avenue and Fifty-ninth
street, New York, Mr..
Shonts was often away
from home at dinner
time. Often he arrived
late, having had his din
ner elsewhere, and ex-
planned that business
euxagements" require his
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-02-29

during the next few
months.
There was one me-
morable occasion in
August at Dinard.
The details of this
episode are extreme
ly interesting - but
will not be told here.
In October, 1906.
the Shonts girls met
Mrs. Thomas at a
shop in Paris, and
she told them, they
say, that Mrs.
Thomas had bought
over two hundred
gowns and dozens
and dozens OF pieces
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-02-29

Thomas wheedled out of Mr. Shonts by the same art-
fees immoralites and wiles. )" X:
A woman who debauches man by her ''artifces,
immoralities and wiles and pseys rushlessy on her
victim is of course an adventuress--she d what tne
dictionary defines as VAMPIRE. q { ~
The Vampire of the drama and the motion pictures
is well known-she is adventures, who usually be-
gins as chorus girl uses her stage opportunity to lure
some victim into her net soon leaves the foothghts
and lives in the whirl Of luxury and gaysty msrries
and coaIs her activities with camouAage OF respecta
bility ruins her husband if he has fortune, gets
divorce and often marres again and again ~ oppor
tunity and convenience offer, but cngs to some mar
red name as badge of decency, and new though she
tolls not neither has she husband yet she lives in
luxury and wears fine furs and many jewels
some man of millions, fascinated by the Vampire,
leaves a sorrowing wife and children to follow the
sken skirt of this until he has been stripped
of his fortune his good name and the affection OF
those who were dear to him
That is the Vampire the public knows on the screen
Will the testimony Mrs. Shontss lawyers promise to
present in court prove the truth Of the singing words
of their damage suit and reveal Amanda Thomas as
Vampire in real life which win match or perhaps out
rival the Vampires of the movies?
Or has shocking injustice been done Mrs. Thomas,
as her LAWYER asserts? Will she satisfactorily explain
her intimate life with Shons and disprove the sinister
accusations which have been made under oath against
her?
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-02-29

by August, 1875, Shonts had
reached a state OF mind that
led him to write to his daughter
Theodore a letter, from. which
this is an extract: =
IF your mother by October
Ist does not 60 to her home
insAlabama and institutc pro-.
ceedings for a divorce sgainst
me, as she can do On the
ground of DISSECTION in that
State, that being her homes
then all extra allowances from
me to you girls will cease. or
you will have to repudiate
your association with her.
Something 10 due me in life,
and / am going to have It with
or without your co-operation.
1t would seem to be wiser and
better for all concerned that
the unbearable situations
should be ended in a digni6ed
manner.
with much love-. ::
"(Signed) 7
ct. p. SHoNTS.
August II, 1915" -si
What q point Of view!
And how Shonts and Aman.
da had progressed since those
days in the Plaza Hotel, in
! 1909, when Amanda "was COR
tinually calling Aim up on the
telephone. and Shonts was
very nervous and upset alb ="
the suspicious that siaGs,
woman was running after ~;
But now In 1915 there weie ~
concealments any anssGs
everything brazen.y Z Il
Something is d. 5ms.
life," he swaggers. j
going to see that the '.nSe I.
able situation" is endc I,
"Unbearable" for tie Ia
lected wife? Oh! No! .
"Unbearable situatica'.f
the h u initiated Lulldog q
daughters? No.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-02-29
a 'SWiP' That Gives
Her His Estate

seumb wentyf president Of the great
traction lines City, died virtually died ~ the arr
~ Of Amanda Mrs. shons the WIFE, sat anzsousy a.
alone in apartment blocks FORBIDDEN TO BEE
DYING HUSBAND. ss, sys3 a s. 7Ees ], ~. I. 1.
To nv friend Thomas shons his hst win bequeathsd
the Amanda Thomas who came INTO the Ae
dominated h and won his fortuns
The New York courts M extraordinary career
Amanda Thomas utey said Thsodors shont
and bv her articles snced him to desert her and WI
fully debauched him. .s. \. 1cL....... n. 81,
words of the complaint in the sun winch S
hn aun Amanda Thomas for damages suits viii b
the millions which Mr Shnnfs oass
wbee doutoM Mr. Shontsb aru- 80.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-02-29

President Shonts' Shaky
Signature on the S6anse
'"Will," Which h h
Claimed He Made on
July 80. 1919, in Which
He Leaves the Bulk Of His
Estate to "My Friend
Amanda Thomas"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-02-29
CHAPTER Ii.
CONTINUED IRON, Last sun

Continued from Last sunday
VYYYHAT were "her artifces mmoralf during the next
N/ ties and wes" which Mrs months.
w Shonts swears Amanda Thomas There was one
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-02-29
rncUsrv aaa.r ny hand seal without inter-
,,ns.s,oas shas say ao,ssos.
sk.sas,eQNegnb

The Dig, Firm Signature
q Shonts to a Will
He Made in 1905, +
Isaving Everything
. His Wife and
0suUhssss. This Was
DsfssS my Friend
Aasasud." Md Come
hss HI Life.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-02-29

continued on Nert Page
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-02-29
And How NV Thomas" Chorus Girl Twice Married and Twice
Divorced Wont Magnate Affection and Turns Up

,hs same at my request this 90 7t day of July in
the pear Ono .hoassna. nine and
M2sxanlR fGozE SS
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-02-29

Great prioin Rights Reserved
Evening journal., 1920-12-21
All-Year-Round Recreation
Advocated by Commun-
ity Service Leader
PRISONERS GIVE
FOR SERVICE WORK

Many Wnmingtonians attended the
informal reception held yesterday
afternoon by the Wilmington Com
munity Service IA the club room at
the Hotel dupont, In honor OF MT. and
Mrs. Charles +. Ernest, who recently
came TO this city TO direct the work
OF the Community Service. Mr.. hnest
has been in this city for a snort Time
getting In touch with the Work o.
the Service and planning the work
for the future. Among Hle plans tldl
Mr. Ernst Is contemplating Is pro
vding recreation for the young peo-
pie for all year round. ,,,,,
Mr.. and Mrs. Ernst came TO VII
mingtOn from Cambridge, Mass MT
Ernst is Harvard man and Is a
strong advocate OF field houses on the
recreation plots, where games ana
athletics and recreational activities
can be enjoyed all year round by Dotl
me Wilmington Community Ser
vice is hoping TO erect In the near fu-
tnre such buildings as Mr.. Ernst adj
vocates. Yesterday blue print plans
were displayed OF the proposed com
munily buildings at Third and Madl-
son streets, Fourth and Pine streets
and Christiana Park.
The guests were received and in
troduced yesterday by Mayor vii
liam q. Taylor and Mrs. r. Coleman
dupont.
During the reception, Warden
Plummer. OF the New Castle County
Workhouse, gave Mrs. dupont SiOl
that the prisoners subscribed during
the recent campaign held by the
Wilmington Community Service.
Evening journal., 1920-12-21
CAN'T LOCATE
SICK YANKEES
American Legion Says Of
fetal Neglect is Re
Sponsible
BY +. NJ. TIHERRY.

NEW YORK, Dec. 2i.-The Ameri-
can Legion charges that because Of
official laXity nobody knows what
what has become OF more than i09,-
OOO World War veterans who were
discharged from the service suffering
from tuberculosis and mental and
nervous disorders.
or these men. 3S.03S were tuber-
cular cases and 1927 nervous and
mental casualties.
The Legions Investigation Of neg
lect Of disabled Ianks shows sick
and crippled veterans are going into
the hospitals so fast that by the end
Of 1924 the hospitals must accommO.
date twice as many as now
Yet present hospital facilities are
totally Inadequate TO care for lhl
10000 soldiers and salons alread,
within their walls.
Announcement has been made thai
Congress will be asked TO appropriate
millions OF dollars 90 build hospitals
that will be ready by 1875 But that
doesn't satisfy the Legion, which has
started a determined campaign C
have proper provisions made fOi
disabled Nanks Immediately.
! A survey OF the situation jus
completed by the Legion shows that
these are the chief things the dis
abled Yalks haven't got:
one Sufficient hospital facilities
and medical treatment
TwO-proper compensation fo
partial or total disability.
Three-Fair opportunity 20 rehab
ilitate themselves by vocationa
training.
Legion committees met in Wash
trta aaafNh NssI
OF the three bureaus handling dis
ahled soldiers affairs They worke
together on program OF burea
consolidation and law revision.
But meanwhile the Legion serve
notice that IL would hold the govern
ment officials involved TO strict aC
cOuntability for liberal cOnstruC
tlOn and effective administration q
, such relief laws as exist or might
| passed at the present session OF Cor
grcss.
quick action Is necessary" say
, National Commander r. w Galbraitl
, Ir. 1--WE are not raising a cry {
'Wofr We are not out to get any
, one We have the facts"
) In a Christmas message In the cur
D rent number Of the American Legi0
/ Weekly. Commander Galhraith make
r a vigorous appeal for public suppo
4 for the Legi0n's campaign. lie write.
} where are the visitors who on,
0 thronged the military hospitals wit
a flowers. gifts and entertainment
r Where are the folk with their anti
). mobiles who used TO vie with eac
r. other Tor the honor Of taking the
n wounded heroes out for spinf
n where are the thousand and OF
b, little human attentions from q
q world outside which mean so mu
h more than medicines. and which q
public shoWered on our disabled so
: diers in war days? 2"
Evening journal., 1920-12-21

phoned TO the police station, but no
trace OF the bandits was found.
The hold-up caused the traction
company officials TO hold a confer
ence this morning, at which time
plans were made for the safeguard
ing Of the crews Of the cars at the
terminals
According to trolley company OIL
Gals it is believed TIE bandits planned
TO lie in wait for N the cars making
the late trips to the end OF the line
and hold them up before word could
reach this city of their activities. The
daring OF Blackwell is given credit
for soaring them or. The plan was
well executed. The spot is lone
ly one and at that hour Of the night
the road on which the bandits drove
their machine unfrequented. 1t is
also believed the highwaymen knew
that at that hour all the conductors
would be carrying their maximum
collection Of fares.
According TO Wilkinson the man
who had rined him was about 80
years old, six feet tall and heavily
built. lie wore a dark Overcoat and
dark SLOUGH hat as did his COM
pan.On.
Evening journal., 1920-12-21
MARKET LOWER
AT TODAY'S OPENING

NEW YORK. Dec. 2i Omitted Press.)
The stock market opened lower to-
day.
Opening prices included: Central
Leather 32%, OF u: Goodrich 30, OF
u U. S. Steel 7S%. off Il; Interna-
tional Paper 43, OF Is; General Mo
tors 1915; American Locomotive TN
Mexican Petroleum i57, on y Cruel
Bile 500, of II; Anaconda 81, of 4
Texas Company as, off a; Republic
Iron and Steel 81, off y; American
Car and Foundry ii6&, Off a H.; Stude-
baker 39%; Southern Pacific 95ss, up
q American Sugar 6255, Off y Hous-
ton Oil 56h, up \.
There was another bad break in
copper stocks, carrying Anaconda
close TO 30 and Utah below sc. Amer
lean Smelling broke 10 SO, Off 2h. Az
ter an early low Houston ran up 10
Ca This Was reaction following an
nouncement that an investigation
would be made by stock exchange au-
thorities into the activity OF bears
who were charged with having con
tinually raided the issue.
Evening journal., 1920-12-21
DEATHS

~
FIsHER-Iu this city, on December ~
1920, Charles S. Fisher, aged o. ~.
Relatives and friends OF the tanliay ~, al
respectfully invited TO attend ths LunV OH
from the residence OF , MS mo'"e al i.so
o'clock. Services will be held az NJ. Soy
NJ. d. Church. at o'clock. lhberinA'
at Mt, Olive cemetery. ,,,.., m n
GUEST-At Delaware Hospital, on ~
cember 20, 1920, Everett SueH'' 0seu
IS years.
Relatives and friends are invited to AZ
tend the funeral services, at MS lato
residence, Marshallton. Del, on idioss
day afternoon, December y, AT oeloeA-
1nterment at Red Clay Creek cemetery.
UNDERWOOD-In this city, on peees a1.
Der 20, 1920, Frank p, son or inc iA's
Taylor and Mary Onder,WoVt.u aa 20 a.
tend the funeral from the residence 90 OF
his brother n-law. Peter Dolani "ot
Maple street, on Thursday morning. az
o'clock. Solemn requiem mass AT g.
Elizabeths Church. Interment at o.
Joseph's cemetery
| ANDERsON-In this city, on December
p, 1920 Eta Walker, wife OF J. Ferey
Anderson. aged % years
Relatives and friends are invited 70 az
= tend the funeral services at her late resi-
dence, 1918 Lombard street, on Inurs-
| day afternoon, December %, at oeioeA-
! 1nterment at Silverbrook cemetery. %
| TULLY-In this city, on December 70
1920, Bridget T., wife Of Thomas Iully'
Relatives and friends are invited 20 az
| tend the funeral from her late resi-
| dence, 2204 LamOtte-street, on Wednes-
| day morning, at o'clock. Requiem mass
| at St Patricks Church. Interment at
| Cathedral cemetery.
! VERNON-In Marcus Hook Pa. on De-
cember is, 1920, Caroline Moore, widow
Of the late Samuel Vernon, aged W
years.
Relatives and friends are invited % at
] tend the funeral at her late residence
I Ninth and Market streets, Marcus HOOK,
Pa. on Wednesday afternoon, at
o'clock. Interment at Lawncrott GENE
DoNLoN-In this city. on December 10,
1920, Joseph A, husband Of Elizabeth
! c. DOnlOn. .
Relatives, friends. members Of the r..
| q 10. No "A. and the Leather WORK
ers Union, Local No. 60. are invited 70
attend the funeral from his late resi-
dence, 1923 Kirkwood street, on Thursday
morning. at 8 o'clock. Requiem mass AZ
st. Mary's Church. Interment at LON
! hardy cemetery. 20
1920. William II. Irwin, aged "a years.
Relatives, friends, Beta Tent. NO. =
| Knights Of Maccabees; .. X. u NO
90; Employees Of the p. X. X X. anu
| veterans Association, are invited 70 at
tend the funeral services, at his iate
residence, 13 Sixth avenue, on WEDNESDAY
| afternoon. December -, at 1.3O O'Clock.
Interment at Silverbrook cemetery.
Evening journal., 1920-12-21

whicht amt lost nothing is a horse
whose name is Man-O-War.
! sh0Od rite now & say kristnuss
is a good time to pass around the
crowns whicht the fans can learn new
names with new year.
Run Home Babe amt got no use
for his crown no more after ist VI
after whicht he will have TO do same
over again. Now will see where
crown has went when this bird Richie
Mitchell who amt home now fights
ChampeeOn Benny Leonard & my
friend Pete Herman got TO Tight agin
another bird whose name is Lynch
who amt rum the South ifhis name
does sound that away.
SO now understd why rites razz-
berry at front OF this letter. I am
sending pucture OF NY do & me whicht
/ draw for you & whicht was give 10
| me for kristmuss.
Evening journal., 1920-12-21
16 YEARS FOR
NEGRO ROBBER

Convicted on charges OF robbery.
carrying concealed a deadly weapon
and assault and battery, Henry
Thomas, aged n years. was sentenced
TO not less than 10 years nor more
than is years In the Eastern Peniten-
tary In Philadelphia yesterday. Al
though Thomas gave his address as
Wilmington. he is not known to the
local police
Thomas held up Edward Reid, t42i
Poplar street, Philadelphia, on De
cember 10, and shot him when he
tried TO escape. He pleaded guilty &c
the robbery and the carrying oil
weapons but not guilty TO the charge
Of assault and battery.
Evening journal., 1920-12-21
.CONSTABLES TO
GUARD TROLLEYS
1coniInnoi f-om nrsl nagol

INNINfIIIN' '"NiN NINi lha'i
cooperate with the railway company
officials in the matter.
The statement Of Conductor WIKI
inson. who was robbed last night, as
read TO the court. follows;
~ r. d. Wilkinson. and J. II. Wood
ward lmotormanl were operating car
No. i02, on Rising sun lim December
20. 1920 on our trip due 90 leave
Hunters Corner. at 1855 - NJ, we
arrived at 1888 p. NJ / turned troll
ley and motOrman hooked up tender
and went % the other end and put
controller handle and reverse lever
on car. ready for return trip Car
was lighted and we we've standing In
the centre Of car, talking. and we
were about ready to leave when an
automobile came down the road, We
could hear II but could not see 10,
as Il had no lights. and we could not
left 10 standing Just beyond the
/ tell, from which road Il came. They
crossroads. on the road tO Mont
chanin, lust about at the bridge. Two
men came running toward the car
one stopped on platform and the other
stopped inside of the car. As soon as
they stepped In we saw they wcr,
masked and had rey0lyers They die
not say anything and the revolyers
were pointed toward the floor.
thought 10 was someone playing q
Joke ON me, and ! laughed and the
Z one inside OF car laughted too. Then
I he said. Come on with your money
/ ! talked TO him, hoping % hold them
until someone came. We usually gel
( a couple Of men on this trip but they
did not come. and ] though they were
late. l then said, DO you mean that2
| and ne said. III you don't come on
/ I'm blow your head on They made
! me lay my money on the car seat.
had $50 in my wallet and $40 and the
c0mpanys money In my vest pocket
They said You stay in car now
don't come out When automobile
drove away, l run up TO Beattle's
hoping TO get a phone. but / cOulC
moi raise them. / do not know in
which house Constable Campbell
lives, but he was not around q neve
see him after Q o'clock. ] then cam
down TO dupont machine shop TO 80
phone, but could not and j \
Oliver. probation officer, said h
, would call up for me right away
We notified the other dFeNNs. an
I, Blackwell borrowed a revolver iron
u a guard at the machine shop, and a
the end OF the line. when the con
= ductOr was turning the pole. he stOo
NN AIAi ANMNN NANA AAAn INNNANfA III IlI
hand An auto without lights cam
down the road. and when they sa,
him IL turned around and went bac
n again.
e 'sphe man who stood inside OF IN
r car appeared 10 be about 36 year
r. old feet TALL weightd about A.
e wore light cap, light OVercOat. ab0l
= three-Quarter length, with colls
turned up around face The man q
the platform appeared TO be about 3
was not so tall weighed about A
j. pounds, wore dark slough hat and
> dark Overcoat about three-quart,
{. length, and his collar was turned "a
n Both wore masks, with eyes M
4 covered, but nose. mouth and CHI
M were covered. THE mask was OF Ga
! material probably geOrgette crep
= and their flesh showed white throul
the masks, and they wcre smOoi
II faced