Imperial Valley press., 1922-06-26
Falls in Husbands Arms
AS Thousands Cheer
His Victory
GOVERNOR CRUSHED
Grave Consequences Feared
to Illinois Executive
From Loss
United Press Leased Wire

KANKAKEE, Ills, June 26.-Mrs
Len Small, wife of the governor of
Illinois, died today at 9 a. IN. of over
Joy as result of her husband s ac-
quittal, by a jury late Saturday.
She was stricken with paralysis
when blood vessel burst in her
brain Saturday night. No hope was
held out for her recovery after the
stroke.
Specialists at her bedside declared
the nerve strain of the trial, coupled
with the great Joy of her husband S
victory, caused her death.
She was stricken just after a rousing
home coming celebration by thousands
of friends of the governor family
had been concluded on the lawn of the
Small mansion.
Turning to her husband she said:
81 believe l am going to be ill.,
Those were her last words. She col
lapsed in his arms.
Governor Crushed by Loss
The kind and tender devotion which
Mrs. Small exhibited toward her hus-
band during the long ordeal won the
admiration of all who saw tho couple
at UHe tTldl dt w
She was constantly at his side.
The effect of her death on the gov
ernor was feared by physicians. The
governor remained at her bedside from
the time she was stricken.
"Thank God she lived to see my
vindication,' he said. Saturday was
the happiest day of her life. y
"My enemies have brought this 9th
er great sorrow upon me.
The governor had refused all appeals
of physicians that he sleep. He also
refused to touch food. He sat crushed
and broken at her bedside.
The Smalls were acclaimed by thou
sands of people in Kankakee on their
return from the trials Saturday night
They had lived in Kankakee since
their marriage in 1892.
Mrs. Small was native ofIllinois,
born in Livingstone county in 1861.
She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Charles Moore.
AS the first lady of the state, she
was a popular leader with innumerable
friends in all parts of Illinois.
She had been closely associated
with her husband s political and bust
ness career. He often attributed large
part of his success to her advice and
counsel.
Charges Against Small
Governor Small was indicted by q
grand jury at Springfield, ILL.,, a year
ago on charges of embezzling state
funds, conspiracy and operation OF
a confidence game.
Fred Sterling lieutenant governor
and Vernon Curtis, banker OF Grant
Park, ILL.,, were indicted with him.
1t was charged in the indictment
that during the terms OF Small and
Sterling as state treasurers, millions
of dollars in state funds were loaned
to the Grant Park bank, OF which
Curtis and his brother, the late Ed
ward Curtis, were owners, at tive pei
cent interest.
This money, the grand jury said IL
a statement, was in turn loaned u
Chicago packers at from@ive and
hall. to eight per cent interest. Small
Sterling and Curtis .poc-;eted the sdif
ference in interest, it was alleged.
Small s trial on charge of conspiracy
to embezzle state funds started Apri
II. The state elected TO dismiss thu
embezzlement charge and to try hin
for alleged conspiracy alone.
1t took three weeks to select jury
Small, throughout, claimed the indict
ment was the result of plot of hi
political enemies. He said the Traction
and cement interests were instru
mental in preferring the allegations