The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-02-28
LOVE THREAT IS.
/ EXPLAINED BY .
SU|TOR
Just Got Peeved and Wrote
Miss Woodbridge, Says
John Herbert.

For four years John Herbert,
nineteen years old, of Anacostia,
woOed Miss Irene Woodbridge, also
ninenteen, a neighbor. She ignored
his letters, refused to talk with
him on the telephone, and declined
to go around with him.
Discouraged by his many fail
ures, the young boy yesterday
wrote the girl a letter and sent it
special delivery to her home at
1928 Chester street southeast.
Miss Woodbridge turned the letter
over to the police, declaring it con-
tanned threats on her life.
Barricaded Home.
While police searched southeast
Washington for Herbert, the girl
barricaded herself in her home.
AFRAID to venture into the streets
Tor FEAR OF her life. Shortly after
midnight, headquarters detectives
arrested Herbert and he today il
being held at the Fifth Precinct
Police Station.
Il love the GIRL" was the ex.
PLANTATION Herbert gave to a Times
reporter today for his actions.
met her four years ago when
she lived with her family at my
nome at 1908 Good Hope road. /
fell In love with her the first time
saw her. But she would not
pay any attention to me. 1 only
went out with her once, and that
was one time when she let me
walk to the drugstore with her.
ShOwered Her with Letters.
Several years ago 1 Joined the
merchant marine. / wrote her let.
ters from France, Spain, England
and several other countries l Wis.
TIED. wrote her dozens Of letters
and she only answered one. When
l came back to this country several
months ago, wrote her from New
Orleans. Then I went to Chicago
and several other cities, writing to
her each time. But she never re.
piled.
Il came back to Washington
several days ago, 1 wrote her
again. And I got no answer.
just Got Peeved."
Il got peeved yesterday. So 1
wrote her another letter. I was
so mad that l have almost forgot.
ten what I have written. I know
l told her / had better not catch
her out with any other fellow and
told her not to marry anybody but
me. put special delivery stamp
on 1t and mailed it,"
When the letter reached Miss
woodbridge, the young girl became
afraid. She showed the missive to
her mother and then went to her
room, declaring she was not going
out while Herbert was anywhere
around. The mother, through neigh
bors. called in the police.
The letter is said to have threat.
ened Miss Woodbridge that II she
went out with anybody else, both
would be killed.
Wouldn't Harm Her.
81 don't think 1 said / would
kill her." Herbert said today.
Even If did, didn't mean It.
love her a lot and want her.
That's all. wouldn't harm a hair
on her head. just didn't want
her to go out with anybody else"
Herbert said that after sending
the letter, he went home and list
ened-in over the radio. Headquar-
terS Detectives Patrick O'Brien and
Robert Livingstone arrested him
at his home shortly after midnight.
Miss Wooldridge's family did not
know until this morning that Her
bert had been arrested. When a
Times reporter, appeared at the
door, he was told by the girls sis.
ter that Irene was sick in bed.
When the family learned Herbert
had been arrested, they said that
she wasn't sick but was still sleep
ing.
Doesn't Love Him.
Miss Woodbridge would not leave
the house last night, even though
she was scheduled to appear at an
entertainment at st. Teresa's Cath.
Ollie Church.
II don't love him and will not
marry him." the girl said last
night. II don't even know him
well. have never encouraged him.
When he would write I wouldn't
reply to his letters. I wouldn't let
him come around to see me-"
Police have not yet decided what
charge to lodge against Herbert.