Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-07-29
SEEK PARDON
Continued from PAGE One)

ing marriage in England under the
circumstances. l did so, but later
learned he had secured her divorce,
which she had accepted as being le-
gal. l was later invited to the we'd
ding on Oct. 9, at the Bangor home.
/ had nothing to do as counsel with
the fire case.
| did see her later in Jail and told
her there was something wrong ana
asked if she wanted to tell me about
it. She did-a story if you saw in
the picture or novel, would be one
hard to believe.
i asked her if she was willing 70
repeat that story to my stenographer
and she did in few days, while sick
in bed at the Jail.
She was born in France, educated
there. Father died when she was l..
When about IS she met and finally
married Mr.. De Bech, who claimed to
be Hungarian baron. l believe her
to believe. He was an adventurer,
living by his wits.
Major Thayer read a letter from
Mrs. Nelson's brother-in-law to De
Bech, a scathing arraignment Of the
latter as an INSCRIPTIONS, dishonest,
cowardly scoundrel.
The Major stated that Mrs. De
Bech finds she was not divorced from
De Bech. and when able will get a
divorce in this country.
Other letters told of extreme cruel
ty of De Bech to his wife.
Now" said Major Thayer, Mrs.
De Bech was leaving that man. She
had met New York aviation corp
man and Red Cross worker. a Mr..
Washington, who advised her to come
to New York and take up the bust
ness of selling Partisan gowns. She
brought samples from Paris. / think
perhaps they were later married.
Washington preceded her by one
boat. On her boat she met the man
Nelson and became infatuated with
him.
Nelson told her he had been mar
ried, but divorced. Had a son who
he was TO educate. She told him Of
iIOI lHSS WIFI lie IDbtH ana now
she had come here with the rem
nants of her fortune to start life
anew. He began urging her to come
to his estate in Maine, find means to
secure a divorce and made wild state
ments about his wealth. He is a con-
vincing speaker and fine looking man.
Arriving at New York, they met the
Mr.. Washington and had talk. I
have checked up her story and can
not find thing misrepresented by
her. Mr.. Washington is willing to
come to her. although unable to be
here today. | got him to write out
what he remembered of the New
York talk. He did so. prefacing IT
with account of his previous ac-
quaintance with Mrs. Nelson. He
said that on the statements mad
there by Nelson he induced Mrs. De
Bech to come to Maine
Walter B. Marvel of Carmel. 10
whose home the Nelson's first came.
was called. He said that Mr.. Nelson
came there in 1917 to see farm he
had for sale. He had a woman with
him and they bought it. They gave
me mortgage. She signed it. She
was known as Mrs. Nelson
Major Thayer said this Mrs Nell
son was an Ida Morency of Lewiston.
then of Augusta. He has even a pre-
vious wife, who had two children
and divorced him in January. 1917,
in Augusta.
Mr.. Marvel said Nelson came and
paid a good part of the mortgage.
He asked if 1 would take his note,
give him 500 and the mortgage. /
did and he then went into the SER
vice. Miss Ida Morency came there
once after.
When he came back from France
he brought Nine. De Bech. / went to
the house after the fire on March Is.
Found very little furniture outside,
all on one art square in the yard.
Back of the house were milk cans.