The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-03-26

Washington, Mar 26--Roxie Stin-
son, divorced wife of Harry NJ.
Daugherty's friend, Jess W. Smith,
continued today before the Daugher-
ty investigating committee her story
of Smiths relations to the Attor-
ney-General and Department of JUS
tce
Because Senator Wheeler Of Mon
tana, the committee prosecutor, was
sick in bed, Senator BroOkhart of
Iowa, commenced the questioning.
Miss Stinson began by declaring
that despite suggestions to the
contrary she believed Smith commit
ted suicide. She reaffirmed her be-
lief that Attorney General Daugherty
was morally responsible.
Smith was found dead year ago
in the apartment occupied by him
and Daugherty.
Smith had put his house in order"
very carefully just before his death,
the witness said, and she based her
judgment that he took his own life
on that circumstance. Mr.. Smith
told her on one occasion that five
men had made $33,OO0,O0O in Sim
clair oil deal in the fall Of 1922.
She asked Smith, she said, Were
you and Harry it OH it?'
mo, that's why we're sore. They
are all our friends, she quoted
Smith of replying.
Senator Jones asked Miss Stinson
to name the five men and she said
she was mot sure of them.
Was Ned Mclean one of them q
I'm not sure.
LabOred Under Strain
She reepated that Smith was la
boring under great strain result
ing from his relations with the
transactions she previously has des-
crihed to the committee.
Chairman Brookhart asked her to
give details as to the property of
smith before he came to Washington
remarking that by her testimony he
had left an estate of between $l25,000
and $4,000. The witness produced
an inventoy which she explained in
detail.
she said, "he had some coal stock
worth $4,000 and some 900 shares yin
another company appraised at $4,000
but worth more than that
He possessed share of dry
goods store which he sold for $4O,-
600, she continued, "a $4,000 house
and two cottages worth $3,500. He
might have had few stocks on mar
gin and other minor things inconse-
quential.
Now what did he have which he
denied that he did not have when
he came to Washington asked Sem
ator Brookhart.
There was $4,000 in Liberty
Bonds at the Riggs Bank, said the
witness. and 80 shares of Pure Oil
worth S5,5s4. Then there was 200
Central Leather worth $4,000.
According to your figures on
coming to Washington Senator Moses
put in, Mr.. Smith had about $780,
OOO.'
Miss Stinson agreed.
Senator Moses then pointed out
that the inventory of the estate show
ed he had at death $2l4,00O and Sen
ator Jones asked if the witness had |
reason to believe that Smith left |
property not covered in the inven-
tory. After a brief hesitation she
said she preferred mot to answer
that
Are the rs $1,000 bills you tcst-
fled Mr.. Smith had listed in the in
ventory?'' asked Senator Ashurst.
No
You do not know what became of
them?'
Il do not
DO you know the name of the
gentleman who was present when
Jess Smith died.
Yes, Mr.. Martin, Nal Daugherty
tells me, was present
Martin is private secretary to the
General.
Senator Moses asked if there was
a money belt found in Smiths per-
sonal effects and Miss Stinson said
she did not know.
Attorney General Daugherty has
said am an angry woman because l
wasn't his sole heir" she remarked.
IF you have reason to believe
that he had other property Id like
for you to state it" Senator Jones
said.
I'd rather not answer.
Expected Something
The witness said she told Nal |
she thought they would
find something for me in Smith
deposit box She insisted, however.
that Smith had never lead me- to |
believe that would be his sole heir"
Senator Brookhart put in letter !
written by Smith to Miss Stinson
dated in September, 1929, telling her |
to sell White Motor and hold Pure |
Oil. 1t spoke of the Daugherty i'm
peachment proceedings before the |
(Continued on mage -