The Washington times., 1921-08-07
SLAYER.
IS FEMALE.
)EkYL-H HYDE.
Daytime Piety Mere Shroud to
Conceal Evening carousals,
Witnesses Say.
by Universal Service.
Copyright. is2l)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.
Aug. THIS community is aghast
today over the admissions from
the lips of Lena Clarke, con-
fessed thief and murderess, re-
vealing a dual personality which
rivals the widest imaginings of a
Poe or Balzac.
The staid townspeople are al
most unwilling to believe that the
postmistress who waited upon
them demurely during daylight
should have spent the midnight
hours in wild carousing.
Robbed Postoffice. Police Say.
But she has confessed the robbery
Of the postoffice here, and is alleged
to have admitted to the police that she
killed Frederick A. Miltimore, former
ly postoffice employe, because he
would not cover her crime.
The real motive behind the crimes
has not been satisfactorily explained.
and until 1t is many OF the friends
of the postmistress are loath to place
the entire blame on her alone.
Miss Clarke's aged parents. the Rev.
Almon Taylor Clarke, a retired Con-
gregational minister. and Mrs. Clarke,
who resides with her two daughters,
are firm in their belief of her inno-
cence, despite her confessions. She
has been their sole support for many
years. and they declare she has al
ways been considerate Of their COM
fort and happiness.
A JekyIl.Hyde Miss.
Lena M. T. Clarke-Lena Mary
Thankful Clarke. IL you please-is a
queer combination, a bundle of contra
'dictions.
In personal appearance and dress
she Is far from attractive. Her figure
is heavy and uncorseted and her
clothes smack Of the backwoods. Her
shoes are generally without heels and
her stockings of cotton. Her skin is
very fine In texture, but covered with
large, disfiguring freckles. Miss
Clarke's only assets in appearance are
her hair, which is decidedly Titan and
naturally wavy, and her eyes, deep
blue In color and absolutely straight
and unwavering in their gaze. She has
cultivated habit of a straight and
steady look, believing a directness of
gaze to be a psychological winner in
dealing with human nature.
Miss Clarke is firm believer in the
power at will. She informed the post
office inspector when he confronted
her with supposed knowledge that her
shortage was known to him, that IL
was question of his will against hers
and that hers was the master mind,
defying him to place the blame on
her.
Model In Hotels.
Miss Clarke was generous con-
tributor to all worthy charities, local
and national, a member OF the cham
Der OF commerce, and a church so
banqucted on Monday prior to her
banquetted on Monday prior to her
trip to Orlando. She quite frequent
ly played for midweek services ut
the church where her family reg.
ularly attended services and generally
was looked upon as woman of
strong religious beliefs.
The only time Miss Clarke ever ap-
peared before the public in any ex-
cept business way was during the
last Seminole sun dance, famous fes-
uval held each March in Palm Beach,
when she took first prize on the
night of Phantasmagoria as BRIDE
groom In a wedding party in which
Joe Farman, political boss during
Governor Cats administration, was
dressed as the bride.
Knowing her tendencies to avoid
society and taking into consideration
Continued on Pass 2, Column 81