The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-09-15
WOMAN HELD



under the name of Mrs. Mary E. De May.
I am confident that her name Is really
Madame Rubye De May, citizen Of Paris,
France. The story is one of the most ex-
citing tales that l have ever heard, and l
would believe it fiction had not verified
so much of it.
with her daughter of three years fled from
France to avoid assassination. She either
owned or purchased after her arrival in the
Denine, n. Mex A man now residing at
Winfield, Kan, named NJ. Alexander and
wife. lived on a ranch near DemIng and
This portion of the story was told on April
of this year by Alexander himself to o: F.
WINNER was employed by Mrs. Alcott, 1888
Central street, this city. who is the daugh-
ter Of Madame De May (tho brought up
until recently in ignorance Of her real
parentage).
alexander confessed to WINNER that he
and his wife brought Madame De May
an ana ri tSe erFI Iro bort sn ys.r 70 aro He
said that his wife-who is now dead-rep-
resented to Madame De May that she was
conspiracy was formed by Mrs. Alexander
and some others to have Madame De May
considered insane and thus be in posi-
ton to seize her mining interests. Proba-
bly, Madame De May did not then, speak
English we'll; she was ignorant Of Ameri-
can localities and customs. a man. named
said to be millionaire-was chosen by the
conspirators to handle the funds, Alexan-
der says that when be found out his
wifes duplicity, he forthwith secured
divorce from her. Mrs Alexander took the
name OF Mrs. Annie Serviss after the di-
vorce and died about years ago. She was
understood to be wealthy the time of her
death. Her estate was settled by Mrs.
Cogdall in Winfield in 1909;
THE conspiratOrs gave Madame De May
and little child into the charge OF George
Dexter, a quarter breed Indian. who rented
far" 9ro adJoRng the ts to
represent her as violently insane and so
prevent curious inquiry. Dexter at once
He had two brothers-in.law named Milton
Michael and David Michael. Madame De
Milton MhE TS Mcae ~ GaGese Mr
Alcott-was brought up by Dexter as his
own child under the name OF Lillian ,I neX-
sAs the Dexters were strangers at Lin
wood it was easy for them to represent
family Of children. Dexter purchased
large house at Linwood.s While at Winfield
and before Madame De Mays coming there
he had been a mere renter.
Alexander and Wells both told Attorney
WINNER that Dexter and the MlchaeIs
NAYS ShG iT Money r%f Madame De May was kept
at the house of Milton Michael for about SIX
years, being passed off as Mrs. Emily
at that time by the Michael brothers that
her maiden name was Emily Michael.
M;cS5 E En 5 M6hael this Ea S Sat sister
Sarah Michael. declares she never heard OF
the insane lady. No neighbors were ever
allowed to see the insane sister, Madame De
Madame De May escaped from the house Oh
Milton Michael, only to be TseaptuTed o an:
beat her and tie her in chair. Once si~
succeeded in getting free and was sees
talking in a walnut grove to a nelghp s
and brought her back to the house.
"She must have told part of her story to
Hurll. for he went Immediately to Deming.
ON his return he was about to tell his dis
believed herself to be. the daughter of
killed by Dexter, who was prowling around
the house For this crime. Dexter served
term in the Kansas state penitentiary-
Artnourdale. Kansas City. Kan.
Madame De May was later placed In the
under the name Of Emily Michael. Tho
there is no evidence that she was at any
time insane, she was represented 10 be the
sister OF David and Milton Michael.
Afterwards Madame De MAY was moved
to Osawatomie. where she was placed in
the state asylum under the name OF Mrs
Mary f. De May. widow without connec-
lions. The two Michael brothers signed the
necessary commitment papers as near
friends Subsequently she was taken to
4 saw Madame De May last week DO
not think she is insane The three nurses
ut Cottage D, where she is confined. do not
regard her as being insane.
Three years ago Mrs. George Dexter
died. Upon her death bed she told Lillian
Mrs. Alcott-that she mrs Aleott) was
the child Of the insane lady--Madame De
Nav and that she could be identified by
marks on her limbs. Both Mrs. Alcott and
Madame De May have identical marks on
their lower limbs-apparentiy burned in by
acid, and resembling a lily Of the valley
leaf. have learned that the nobility and
wealthy families of France mark their
children in this fashion at birth so as to
prevent substitution
Mrs. Alcott is poor. and therefore has
not the means to attempt 20 recover her
rights and release her mother.
Il have given you the outlines OF what
appears to me TO be most outrag eous
plot. leave IL to your Judgment what is
hest 10 be done in the matter. am as
sistIng Mrs. Alcott while l an in Kansas
City q vacation
Sincerely, ARTHUR z STEVENS,
Bachelor of Laws. Kansas City School Of
Law, George Washington University"