The Washington times., 1923-02-28
GIRL SORRY NOW
SHE K|DDED'
INDIAN
Ceased to BE Joke When He
Killed Himself in New
York Store.

NEW YORK, Feb. 28.-It was all
meant as a piece Of innocent fool
ishness. 1t, is not every day that
a Cherokee Indian wearing nose
glasses goes to work in a depart
ment store. Besides, sitting in q
cashiers cage all day is boring. One
looks for diversion.
So when Gabriel Hattins, son Of
the Cherokee tribe. became 9
watchman at Bloomingdale's si1
weeks ago, Norma Pearl Moore
cashier in the store restaurant
never having seen an Indian al
close range In all her life, wrote
him:
"1'n be your opeechee II you'll be
my E'rave."
She told q reporter today she
meant 1t in innocent fun; she was
bored, and, besides, the Indian did
look interesting. Hattins, she said
took the joke as serious hint
flooding her Immediately with
fervent letters. s
Meant It In Innocent Fun.
If the Indian had possessed 9
sense of humor he could not have
misunderstood her written replies
she rallied at him, "kidded him
along" and called him Chief Stick
in-the-Mud.
But Miss Moore ii sure now the
joke went over his head. When
he Indian stepped before her cage
Monday and shot himself. she re
allied that. She had not thought
Of the old tradition, often tried, thai
Indians can't see joke.
A detective Of the Missing Per
sons Bureau. looking through the
Indians coat today found this note
Intended for Miss Moore:
Good bye, dear old girl. NY
life will be ended. You hurt mJ
feelings. But You still belong Z
me-" 80
He had written It on the bach
# note from the girl cashier. Ont
refusing him q date.
This is a sample Of the letters
written by the cashier, which would
have disillusioned any seeker after
love except Hattins:
Letters Indian Cherished.
Hello, papa. How wild can
get? You want to know? Well,
can get wilder than a fighting
wildcat. I am glad you are feeling
better--I am good medicine fol
YOU xxx. Il know you are
cling lies when you say you like
my bulldog best. ] know who yoI
do like best. Maybe the girl out
West which wants gold watch
o-la-la x x. Babe, why die
vou break this girls heart by leav
ing her for me? K x. I think
should send her my bulldog and
cat. / don't want them chasing
Maybe they would bite you. Their
would have a fit because IL any
body hurts my poor papoose I'C
break their necks."
sHattins treasured a score Of let
ters such as this.
One began seriously:
my dearest: got your mics
letter this a. m. am so sorry
couldn't call you up. sweet Indiar
man XXX. You say you love me
Gabe. How do you know you do
x x. You talk about something
happening to you. Gabe, you baby
What is the matter with you
Aren't you man enough to TAX
care Of yourself? Man was mad
| 70 take care Of women. WomeI
were made to drink bum booze"
This was one Of the last letter
Miss Moore wrote, an attempt t
turn by continued humor the In
dams growing melancholy. He ha'
told her something was going t
happen because she spurned hi
love. It was not a very stronl
| attempt.
Saw Joke Had Gone Too Far.
Miss Moore said she saw tn
joke had gone too far when sh'
had returned a cheap turquois'
| ring he had given her, and hat
tried to repair the harm.
II was just fooling like I'd done
with other fellows" she said. II
wasn't serious and I thought h
could stand some kidding. HI
wrote me lots of letters, begging
me for dates, but I wouldn't g
out with him. I tore UP his letters
too, as fast as got them"
While the Red Cross took charge
Of the body for burial in Cypress.
Hills Cemetery, along with thu
other military dead, a few more