Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1922-12-26
PERU POLICE Nab
YOUTH ON Way TO
RAILWAY STATION
Peru, Dec. 26 -(Specialy - Walter F.
Lopatka, aged Fl, of Peru, was placed under
arrest today for investigation in connection with


th e Esmond murder
case. This was the first
formal arrest that has
been made in the case.
lopatka is alleged to have passed
a remark to friend yesterday that
he knew who killed Esmond." The
friend became alarmed and reported
the alleged occurrence to tn police.
The officers started to round
Lopatka up, as soon as they learned
he was accused of having made such
a statement. They located him at 2
a. M. this morning. AT that time he
Is SAID to have had his suit case, and
TO have been preparing to leave town.
Popatka was turned over to Sheriff
E. j. Welter for further investigation
today. He denied to the Peru police
having made such a remark after
having been taken in custody.
Officials Work Tirelessly.
Throughout the Christmas holiday
season, the La Sale county officials
worked increasingly on the Esmond
murder case, without reaching any
solution to the battling situation up
to today
Following a prolonged questioning
on Saturday and Saturday night. En-
nest Ashley, one of the men who
found the body, and his alleged COM
mon la wwife, Mrs. Alice Ashley.
were placed under arrest and locked
in the county jail on a charge of liv-
ing in open adultery. Warrants for
the arrest of the two were signed by
Sheriff E. ]. Welter
In spite of the vehement deniaIs of
the county officials that the pair were
held on any connection with the
Esmond case, wild rufnors connect
ing the names of the couple with the
case spread thruout the county late
Saturday and grew in proportions
over Sunday and Monday. officials
branded these rumors as unfounded
on every hand, but were unable to
keep them from spreading like wild
fire thruout the county.
Sticks To Story.
This morning they stated that in
spite Of frequent questionings which
occurred both before and after Ash
ley as taken to the county Jail, he
had not varied in his testimony given
at the coroner's inquest, nor had he
made any statements that would
throw any additional light on the
battling affair.
! Ashley's mother from Peoria visit
ed him on Friday. She left ottawa
on the 2:20 A. NJ. train for home on
Saturday morning. The officials
questioned her, and it is said, extract
ed information which led them to be-
lieve that Ashley and Mrs. Alice Ash
ley were living together without
! benefit of clergy.
! Woman Questioned.
! Early Saturday afternoon Mrs. Ash
ley was called into the States Attor-
neys office for a questioning. The in
vestigation was conducted behind
!uuhnd doors. 1t Is alleged that she
confessed to the authorities while in
the States Attorneys Office that she
and Ernest Ashley had never been
united in lawful wedlock, and that
she was just his common law wife.
She was taken in charge on war
rant secured by Sheriff Welter for
this alleged offense, and was given
a cell at the county jail, Ashley was
then summoned to the States Attoor-
ney office. He too is alleged to have
admitted to the authorities that he
was not married.
A further check was then made on
the story of the murder as told by
Ashley but it is claimed no addition
al light was shed on the matter.
/ He was placed in Jail late Satur-
day night, where he was held uhtli
TODAY. when arrangements We're
made for giving both him and Mrs.
| Ashley a hearing.
The couple are alleged to have
confded to the officials that they
have been living together for SIX
months. Parental objections on both
sides is said to have been RESPONSE
ble for their living together without
first going thru a marriage ceremony.
They both are natives of Peoria,
but have been living for six months
in Chicago Three weeks ago they
came to Ottawa, and rented an apart
ment in the Burrows fats, where
thev have been residing since.
Blame Parental Objection.
Mrs Ashley is nineteen years of
age. and Mr.. Ashley is twenty-five
Ashley made arrangements to have
Peoria attorney represent him at the
hearing today.
Ashley was in the first car to reach
the scene of the murder after the
crime occurred. He was riding with
Joseph Gaudi of Marseilles. VINO
picked him up down the road, near
the Green Rock Inn, when he met
him on foot. Ashley had left the
Holland furnace truck he was driv'
ing at the Harbeck farm, when ne
said it ran out of gas, and started on
to town on foot
oHicials Work Tirelessly.
Today Ashley was taken to the
s+o.a,s at+ornev's Office and was