Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-09-04
HOLD SON
Continued from Page one)

evidence did not warrant committal
except for manslaughter.
A remarkable drama Of jealousy
and anger was disclosed in court.
Smith Is a former officer of the
Dragon Guards. He inherited great
wealth from each of his grand I'M
cles.s Derham came Of a well known
British family.
The case in essence Is the common
matrimonial triangle. The victim, 1t
is alleged, was lured to the scene of
his death by false telegram sent in
the womans name by her husband
There Is no eye witness Of the fatal
shooting except the wife who was
not called on to give evidence. His
sister had seen the quarrel that had
preceded the Staying but was in her
own room upstairs when the fatal
shot was fired. The death struggle
Of the two men in the drawing room
was fierce contest but the only in
dependent witness of the ARRAY was
"a passing stranger who observed it
through window.
When arrested Smith turned over
to the police a letter which bore the
possible construction that he had
intended to commit suicide and his
line of defense seems to he that in
the struggle a bullet intended to end
his own life killed Derham.
The tragedy occurred after the two
men and the woman concerned had
supped together In a local hotel on
terms of apparent friendliness. Today
IN court the prosecuting attorney
seemed to pay small attention to the
fhanrNy
Smith intended to commit suicide he
would not have had to wait Derham's
presence for that conclusion. He
pointed also that the medical exam
liner was against the suicide theory
and that in any case an attempt at
suicide is felony.
Smiths letter addressed to Mrs
Smith was never delivered to her but
was handed unopened to the police by
Smith when arrested. The letter reads.
MY Dear, Dear Girl: This prob
lem can be solved In one way-re-
moval Of your lover, Derham, or my
self.
with the Characteristic cowardice
which that individual has shown
throughout your mean and sordid in
trigue, he has removed himself from
his rooms, fearing, l presume, the
consequences of visit from me.
Whether he imagines he would
have a comfortable second home in
any house you live in and a mistress
gratis on my money, or whether he
thought that l being out of the way
you would be an easy victim, 1 know
not.
But this I know, that his pursuit of
you-a young married woman with
three children. babies, and a little
money. knowing in full that marriage
Che being already married) was impos-
sible-was and is a despicable, damn
able thing.
Nor are you much less to blame,
with your constant lies and the enlist
ment of your reputable friends to
cover up your affairs.
Il was hard up and you had his car
"a life for Morris-Cowley in your
opinion is fair exchange. Your hon.
or seems to have counted for nothing.
I helped you in every way, and you
asked the man with you to my home,
rode in his car and no doubt let Der
ham pay for his drinks. The whole
thing Is too mean, too disgusting for
nae.
ct cannot forget while I live, and
cannot go on supporting this great en-
envy of mind and heart. May GOD for
give me for what I am about to do,
and may God forgive you, the cause
of it all.
"As for the man, you will always