The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-05-14
Co-eds toBe
Quiizzed in
Mount Case
Authorities to Widen Investi-
CATION Into Death of North
western University Stu
dent Who Disappeared.
Believe Girls Will Talk
by Universal Service.

S>'oVs 4ips itiNS t'-N''S "a
Northwestern university will be ques.
TONED in connection with the investi-
cation of the death of Leighton
Mount and Louis Aubere
The decision to question girls was
reached at the states attorneys of
flee today. after Roscoe C. Fitch, for
mer roommate of Mount. had been
grilled for many hours. He claimed
- know nothing of Mounts death
but admitted he was present when
Aubere died in an automobile crash.
Fitch told the authorities DR.. Wal
ter Dill Scott had told fraternity
leaders not to talk to anyone regard
ing the Aubere death.
This indicates nothing more than
going to make them talk said John
S. Barbara, assistant states attorney.
With revelations of Fitch before
them the authorities determined to
broaden the scope of the investigation
to include the goods. The girls, IL
was believed, We're lin on the secret"
and possibly would talk more freely
than the boys. 1t was expected sub
poenas would be issued for the girls
to appear before the grand jury.
Killed in Automobile.
What the authorities are anxious
to establish is whether Fitch was
telling the truth when he said DIR.
talk of the Aubere death. According
to Fitch, Aubere was being taken out
for hazing. He was being held in
an automobile and another car was
rammed into 1t TO frighten him. He
was crushed to death. Fitch was
standing on the running board Of the
death car according to his state
ment.
Leighton Mount disappeared on
september %, 1921, in class rush,
two years previous to the tragic
death of Louis Aubere, three weeks
ago. The authorities believe the
same secrecy was thrown about
Mounts disappearance and death that
yeiled the death OF Aubere.
The searching investigation into
the Mount case has established that
he participated in the class rush and
was never again seen alive. That
the skeleton found under a pier on
Lake Michigan was that of the miss
ing student is believed.
Evidence Points to Crime.
The authorities are now trying to
establish how he came TO his death.
Facts so far revealed by interrogating
scores of witnesses indicate that he
was killed Intentionally or accident
ally. and his body hidden under the
pier
Chief Justice Harry Olson. OF the
Chicago municipal court, who Is a
trustee of Northwestern university.
said that while the motive for the
students death is not clear. the facts
d. not indicate suicide But the fact
that the body was weighted down
with rocks, on the contrary, points to
a crime.
THE motive in this case is proved
by the rocks piled upon his body" he
said. This means a death by crimi-
nal means. 1t does not prove, how
ever. that the person who hid The
body committed the crime. The stones
prove that some outside agency was
involved"
Judge Olson has been active in aid
ing the authorities in their attempt
to solve the mystery. lie said that
DIR. Scott had not tried to hide any.
thing.
"He hasn't been trying to hide
anything" Judge Olson said. 'tHe
had his right to his belief that Mount
. was a suicide. OF course. later de.
Nails do not point that way
Trustees Support Scott.
DR.. Scott will not be asked to re.
sign from the university, Judge Olson
statad.
The executive committee of the
board of trustees Of Northwestern Sat
urday voted approval of Dr. Scots
stand.
"The trustees of the university are
unanimously with and behind Presi-
dent Scott" the resolution said
when the conclusion of the present
grand jury investigation permits a
review Of the facts in regard 10 haz
ing at Northwestern university, we
believe every act Of the president In
the matter will meet with approval.
More than so witnesses are still &c
be examined according to a state
ment at the states attorneys office
The statements made by Fitch were
checked over today and will be In
shape Monday for the grand jury
The Authorities admitted Fitch waF
badly confused, that he was nearly
nervous wreck at the end of the
questioning and that he could hardly
be held responsible for all that he
said. Yet. they believe, some OF his
statements will furnish leads" that
will prove valuable.