davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1931-08-31

PERSONS WIFE QU|ZZED;
CLEARED IN KILLINGS

on the head with q hammer be-
fore putting the rope around his
throat.
"They never made any noise
or put up any fight.
81 killed the older girl and
Mrs. Lempke last by strangling
both. .,.
"No, I didn't have any trOu-
BILE. They took 1t quietly.
Here is his story OF how ne
trapped his victims:
"MOtOred with Mrs. Lempke
from NOrthbOrO, Mass, to Union
town, Pa, where left her
overnight and met her next
day with Mrs. Eicher and the
kids at FairmOnt, w. Va, about
Is miles from here. Then
took them all over to the garage
to kill them. 1 got them there
in the afternoon Of August
and killed them that evening.
Then I stayed with the
bodies until it was late and
buried them in the trench"
Had $4,000 Upon Arrest
Mrs. Lempke and Mrs. Eicher
had some property and money.
On August Is. after Pierson had
audaciously gone to the house Of
Mrs. Eicher in Park Ridge to
strip it, he was picked up by
police and $4,000 was found on
his person.
But Detective Southern doesn't
believe it was the money. He
said:
"He is a killer. Taking a
human life is no more to him
than a hound dog killing q
squirrel"
"Why did. you do it?" Pier
son was asked.
81 don't want to talk about
that" was all he would say.
you know you are going
to hang" said Chief Duck
worth.
81 bet you're afraid to go to
a hanging" PierSOn answered.
A special term of court for the
arraignment of Powers on a
murder charge was being con-
sidered. Judge John C.. Southern.
before whom Powers will event
ually appear, was due to return
from a camping trip some time
this week.
Mrs. Powers ExOnerated
Although Mrs. Louella Powers,
wife of Powers, and her sister
we're released from custody and
exonerated from completely in
the murder, Police Chief Duck
worth visited the Powers house
twice within IL hours to ques-
ton her.
The house was searched for
effects of Powers and plans we're
being considered to search the
recently built sewer trench
around the house.
The Washington times., 1931-08-31

WORCESTER, Mass, Aug. 81
1.N.S.O.-Mrs. Dorothy PresSler
Lemke, one of the "Bluebeard"
victims of Harry F. Powers, closed
her $1,533 account at a local bank
on July %, the day before she dis
appeared, it was revealed today.
UxBRIDGE, Mass, Aug. 81
GN.S0.-Search for clues for a
possible sixth victim of Harry F.
Powers, confessed "bluebeard,"
centered here today. The fact
that Powers, while counting one
of his victims, Mrs. Dorothy
Pressler Lemke, was seen to
carry bundles and appeared in
tereSted in a hole for a tank
near the hotel where he was a
guest caused authorities to start
a search.
Interest also centered on two
letters supposedly from Mrs.
Lemke, penned in Uniontown,
Pa, and in Chicago. One hand
writing expert said the letters
The Washington times., 1931-08-31

through a closed door. They fol
low:
20. Do you promise you are
honest and sincere in your
intentions in joining this so
ciety?
"A. Yes.
%. Are you a member Of any
fraternal organization?
"A. Yes.
%. What is your occupation?
A. Civil engineer and property
owner.
%. What is your income?
"A. Between $500 and $4,000
a month. / own farms, bonds,
and a half interest in q tan
merry.
20. What are your refer.
enceS?
Said Wife Had Died
"A. (PIater refused to give
the names Of references.)
@. Have you been married?
"a. Yes.
@. Have you been divorced?
"A. No. my wife died.
%. Have you any children?
"A. None.
20. What is your age?
"A. I am 80, weigh IFS
The Washington times., 1931-08-31

she conducted an impassloned
correspondence with an "a. c.
Norris" whom she met through
a marriage market advertisement.
Alias Theory Discarded
At first authorities considered
that Morris might be an alias
of Pierson, but closer comparison
of the handwriting of the two
today caused this theory to be
discarded.
PARK RIDGE. Ill, Aug. 81
G.N.SD This Chicago suburb to-
day laid plans for the funeral of
Mrs. Asia Eicher and her three
children. victims of the mail Or
der lover and murderer, Harry F..
Powers.
Mrs. Sarah Jennie Larson, aunt
of Mrs. Eicher. was located in La
Jolla, Calf. She is to be asked
The Washington times., 1931-08-31
Wife Supplied Money Bluebeard
Used to Build "Murder Garage"

married June l, 1922. Before
that he used to come from the
West to visit me.
II don't know what he used
to do, except he worked on his
farm and once sold vacuum
SweeperS. What did he talk
about? He talked of good
things to eat and how he loved
me-"
Denies Insurance Story
Although a local insurance
agent declared that Powers re-
Gently tried to get his wife in
sured without a physical examina-
ton, Mrs. Powers denied he had
ever talked insurance with her.
However, his sister-in-law in
terrupted to say that Powers
wanted her to get out insurance,
but she said she didn't want it.
She added that her brother-in-
law studied architecture or some
thing once in Kansas City.
When Mrs. Powers was asked
if she believed her husband killed
five persons, she said:
"He said he done it, didn't
he?"
would you give him money
for his defense, if he asks
yOu?"
u haven't much money"
"WilI you be a witness for
the defense If you are requested
by your husband?"
"What good will that do? I
don't know nothing about him."
The Washington times., 1931-08-31

he sought to ingratiate himself
with Grethe, 14-year-old daughter
of Mrs. Eicher, was found at the
home. dated May /. 1t said:
Il just know that you are
a sweet and darling little girl,
and love you, dear. would
be very proud to have you as
my own girl. Would you like
to have me as your daddy?
You could then have ever so
many lovely things, and we
would have lots Of fun together.
wouldn't we, dear?"
The Washington times., 1931-08-31
5000 To MARCH
IN FIRE PARADE

It was estimated that 5000
participants, drawn from nine
States, will participate in the
annual firemen's parade here
Labor Day.
Parade entries already received
by Sergt. Harold F. Harding,
assistant to Marshall A. j. Bar
gagni in general charge of the
celebration, indicate that in the
parade will be fire companies
from as far away as Poughkeep,
sic, N. Y, and North Carolina.
Many of the delegations will
bring brass bands and floats.
There will be a baseball game
between teams playing for the
Fire Department and the Metro
politan Police Department. The
parade will begin at Peace
Monument at 1920 a. m. and
will be disbanded on the EllipSe.
At 1880 p. m. there will be
ceremonies on the Ellipse and the
awarding of prizes for the more
colorful floats.
This Labor Day celebration will
be the ninth in the history of
the Capitals Fire Department.
The Washington Board of Trade
from the outset has financially
encouraged the enterprise. Nine
years ago there were only IL
automobiles and comparatively
few men in the parade line. This
year there will be scores of cars
and floats, about 5000 marchers
and probably 100000 to 100000
persons applauding on the curbs
of the avenue.
The Washington times., 1931-08-31
(Continued From Page y

(Continued From Page -
fresh water, had been closed for
some reason.
While Powers insisted he had
not killed any more mail-order
wives, authorities began dragging
the creek beside his slaughter
house garage today.
A chain gang of convictS also
continued digging into the grave
yard trench beside the garage
where Powers confessed he cor
Taled his five victims and stran-
gled them one after another.
That's ALL" Says He
Said Powers, who lived with his
wife and sister,in-law six miles
from his carefully constructed
murder garage:
"They can dig If they want
to, but that's all there was at
that place."
Authorities frankly doubted the
biandly told story of Slaughter
House Harry" that he had herded
his victims into the Subterranean
chamber beneath the garage and
killed them all at once.
He had built his abattoir with
four separate rooms below the
ground level, and it was there he
composed his sugary love letters
to women who were duped by his
one-man matrimonial agency.
Love Letters Spelled Death
Mrs. Asia Eicher, of Park Ridge,
Ill, and Mrs. Lempke, of
Northboro and Worcester, Mass,
were the two victims to whom he
wrote of love which spelled out
death. After he had garroted
Mrs. Eicher. the 'mail-order muir
oerer strangled her three pretty
children.
Among Powers effects is
marked story on the black hole
of Calcutta.
So he built himself a concrete
garage without any house in a
lonely spot, and this is what he
did with it, according to his
detailed confession to City Detec-
tive Carl Southern, State Police
Corporal Dorsey Bailey and Po-
lice Chief C. A. Duckworth. Said
Powers:
81 put 14-year-Old Greta Etc
mer in one room in the garage
cellar. Then put Harry Eicher,
IL, and AnnsbeI Eicher, 9, into
another room. 1 put Mrs. Etc
mer and Mrs. Lempke each in
room.
Il killed Mrs. Eicher first. 1
strangled her with a rope
around the neck.
Hit Boy With Hammer
"Then 1 walked through An
nabel's chamber and killed the
two younger kids, the brother
and sister. 1 hit the little boy
The Washington times., 1931-08-31
Gun-pLGy on Street
Holds FiUe for Quiz

Five colored persons were de-
tained last night after they are
said to have fired upon a car
containing Alfred P. Wyatt, 1914
Eleventh st. N. W., and r-.ilip
Beatley, of 1916 Eleventh st.
N. w., near North Capitol and
P Streets.
A machine resembling the sus-
pected one was picked up by po-
lice. Will Conway, "a, of Balti-
more, and Scott Wilson, 25, 1704
Ninth st. N. W., we're arrested
and three colored women held as
witnesses.
The Washington times., 1931-08-31
Social Celebrities
Hold Stage at Reno

RENO, New, Aug. 81 G.N.S)-
Social celebrities from New York
city headline today's list of prom.
inent persons scheduled to obtain
divorce DEGREES in Reno's far
famed mill"
Among the divorce cases to be
heard are those of Thomas P.
Durrell against Mrs. Virginia
Scully Durrell, and Mrs. Priscilla
Peabody Talbot against John
Alden Talbot, all social register
ties.
The Washington times., 1931-08-31
Eastern Shore Span
To Reduce Distances

VIENNA, Md, Aug. 31.-Resi-
dents of the Eastern Short are
rather eagerly :, waiting the ap-
preaching opening of the new
highway bridge over the Nanti-
coke River, a project that will
materially shorten the travel dis
tance among many Of the larger
towns of this section. The new
route will bring Salisbury and
Cambridge 10 miles closer to-
gether, and there will be compar-
able reductions applying to other
towns.
The Washington times., 1931-08-31

to consent to the cremation of
the widows and children's bodies.
The Rev. Walter D. Spangler,
of st. Luke's English Lutheran
Church, where the children at
tended Sunday school, will con-
duct the services, probably next
Sunday. A special memorial ser
vice will be held by playmates
of the children.
A police vigil was maintained
at the Eicher home, where hun
dreds of curious come on foot
and by automobile daily.
A letter from Powers in which
The Washington times., 1931-08-31
Photo by International

doctor and adds ND" to his
name, was convicted in 1923 Of
practicing medicine without Ii
cense, according to John Roehl,
of the board of health.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Edith Simp-
son, 38-year-old divorce. and be-
lieved to have been intended as
one of Powers next victims, had
fled the city, completely shaken,
friends said. Mrs. Simpson, ac-
cording to her own statements,
had planned to marry Powers in
SeDtenher
The Washington times., 1931-08-31

pounds, and am 5 feet 5 inches
tall.
%. Will you promise to an
swer all letters sent you by
members of the society.
"a. / will"
Postmaster Charles Kellogg de-
clared that there would be no
Federal inquiry into the opera
tions of the Friendship Society"
unless one is ordered by Thomas
Milligan. chief postal inspector at
Washington.
Platter, who calls himself a
The Washington times., 1931-08-31

Continued From Page y
son analyzed his victims, ap-
paren'ly, and gave each CORE
spOndent a different treatment"
Kept Careful Record
Pierson kept a black code book
with his records. Sometimes, as
in the case of one of Miss Bells
letters, he would put his code
on the back of the envelope.
One paragraph in a letter writ
ten by Pierson to Mrs. Simpson,
unmailed because of his arrest,
read as follows:
"No darling, I'll say right
h ,re that as a man with brains
and ability to attain the for.
tune a man can, I'll never
make a drunken fool out of
myself, standing for a lot Of
wise cracks from a fat, flabby-
faced night club hostess who
stands by like a Simon Legree
in skirts, lip-lashing her skinny
cabaret girls to strut their
stuff like so many blOOdhOunds
amid the cracked ice."
This was a verbatim extract
from an article dealing with
murder, assault, and insanity as
the result of liquor.
The original article was entered
in the code book of Pierson, its
number indicating that it had
been sent to a certain number
of women. including Mrs. Simp.
son and Miss Bell.
Letter From Miss Bell
The letter dated August %,
from Miss Bell, the Hagerstown
girl. to Pierson. follows:
"My dearest Connie:
"YOur dearest letter ever
came yesterday, and did it
make me happy? Maybe 1 can
show you just how happy it
made me when you get here,
but 1 just cannot put it on
paper. And was 1 thrilled just
too much to write a long let
ter? But when you get here,
oh my!
"NOw want to tell you,
dearie, before you come not to
expect to find me living in a
mansion, for as told you from
the beginning, am only
working girl and have always
lived within my means, and 1
can truthfulIy say that 1 owe
not any man.
81 will stop counting the days
now and start on the hours. Be
sure to let me know about the
time you expect to get here, and
the day for sure, so / can be all
set with nothing to do but en-
tertain you, sweetie.
Remember, / shall be de-
lighted to see you; SO let moth
ing stand in your way. And
hope that August ~ will always
be a red letter day for us. So
let me hear, dear, and until
IHcNs as always
VIRGINIA"
The letter, dated August "a,
from Mrs. Storrs to Pierson, was
as follows:
"OLEAN, August "a.
Connie Dear:
II am so happy-all your let
ters are here. Next Friday
just think of it. I can scarcely
realize it. 1 don't know of any
instructions that I need to
give you. 1 will be here wait
ing for you.
I'VE are both just fine, al
though show the nerve-rack-
TT n
The Washington times., 1931-08-31

BECAUSE HIS shipmates be-
lieved he was a Jonah"
Michael Rivadulla, a Spanish
sailor was tossed into the sea.
according to the story he told
his rescuers. He was picked up
by members of the S. s. Kisha-
coquillas 20 miles off the Vir-
ginfa Capes.
The Washington times., 1931-08-31
3 WOMEN JUST
MISSED TOLLS
Of POWERS
HagerstoWn Girl Had Date
Thursday, Letters Reveal;
Expected "Red-Letter Day"

Continued From Page y
son anaIyzed his victims, ap-
paren'ly, and gave each CORE
spOndent a different treatment"
Kept Careful Record
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-07
KANE TRIAL SEEN
LATE THIS MONTH
Professor Formally Charged
With Murder by Grand Jury
at Hampton, Va.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
HAMPTON, Va. October Elisha
Kent Kane. Sd, formally accused by
the grand jury yesterday with malice
aforethought" holding his wife, Jenny
Graham Kane. under the water at
Grand View Beach until she was dead,
probably will go on trial late this
month.
During an all-day session the grand
jury heard IL witnesses before bring
ing in the indictment Giving the trial
a place on the docket was deferred by
Judge Vernon c. Spatley until today.
Action by the grand jury was taken
on presentment made by the Com
monwealth's attorney after Coroner
Vanderslics lad returned a verdict
holding Mrs. Kanes death to be pre-
meditated murder at the hands of her
husband and magistrate had held
him subject to grand jury investigation
Kane. who is professor of romance
languages at the University Of Tennes-
see and son Of DR.. Evan O'Neiu Kane
Pennsylvania surgeon, was arrested a
few hours after his wife's funeral and
now is at liberty under $4,000 bond.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-07
Science
Ice Sheet May Advance On
North america.

A large part of North America again
may become uninhabitable because of
the advance of a gigantic ice sheet, &C
cording to w. C. Alden, glacial geolo-
gist of the United States Geological
Survey.
Most of us probably think of the
glacial period as having ended 10 or
20 thousand years ago." DR.. Alden says
in report of the National Research
Council on a cooperative project for
finding traces of ancient men in Amer
lea. Yet there are thousands CT noun
tain glaciers, the Antarctic is even now
shrouded in about 100000 square miles
of ice and the ice cap on Greenland is
estimated as over 100000 square miles
in extent. 1t is quite likely that the
inhabitants Of Canada and the Upper
Mississippi Valley may some time be
driven southwark before the irresistible
advance of another continental ice
sheet"
The ancient ice sheets, Alden told the
National Research Council Committee,
appear to have had three main accumu-
lation centers where through thousands
OF years the Ice was massed until 1t was
able to move southwark. One was on
the Labrador Peninsula one in the re-
gion directly west of Hudson Bay and
the other directly southwest. Once I'M
Ger way nothing could stop 1t, he point
ed out IAN the mountain peaks OF
New England were overridden by the ice
and probably all those of the Adiron-
dackS." In the West, he pointed out,
| another great ice sheet crept inexorably
over the Canadian line.
AT the maximum stages" he said,
ice thousands of feet thick reached
about to the line of the Ohio and Mis-
souri, Rivers. These two great rivers owe
their present courses to the diversion of
the water about the margins of the great
ice sheets. W&re ice to readvance in
the future. the works of man would
be demolished and abundant evidence
Of his occupancy of the area would
be buried in the drift"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-07
u. S. BACKS AGENTS.
RIGHTS TO TESTIFY
Government Replies to Challenge
to Two as Witnesses in Bal
timore Liquor Case.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
BALTIMORE, october THE chal-
lenged right of two Federal agents to
give testimony before the grand jury
that recently returned three indict-
ments charging 16 firms and Is indivi-
duals with liquor law violations. was
upheld yesterday in replications filed by
the Government in District Court.
Simon E. Sobeloff. United States dis
trict attorney, said october 26 had been
fixed for a hearing on the questions Of
law raised by the motions and the rep
locations.
Those named in the three indictments
were charged with conspiracy to convert
industrial alcohol into beverages.
Several of the group challenged the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-07
SPORTS WRITER DEAD

James r. Harrison Was Publicity
Director for Columbia Athletics.
NEW YORK, october F9.-James
Renwick Harrison, publicity director
of the Columbia University Athletic
Association and former sports writer
for the New York Times and other
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-07
right Of John r. Coldiron and Edward
Knnf1 m viya kaekRx....,,

right OF john r, CoIdirOn and Edward
L. kootz to give testimony.
They moved to quash the indictments
contending that neither Coldiron, who
is special assistant attorney general or
Kootz, employed regularly as a court
stenographer by the Baltimore City
supreme bench, had the right to appear.
Kootz had been appointed, the motion
said, as special assistant United States
attorney so he could take a record of
testimony produced at the grand jury
probe. The investigation continued for
six weeks and $50 witnesses were called.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-07
Steel Will Reopen With $50.

MONESSEN, Pa, october (P.-A
hundred and fifty men returned to
work yesterday at the Monessen Mill
of the Pittsburgh Steel Co. after blow
ing in of a blast furnace after four
months idlenesS. Mill officialS said
four months work was assured
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-07
died yesterday after

newspapers. died yesterday after a
long illness.
Funeral services will be held today
in Pelham Manor, where on Septem-
Der IS last his wife and 9-year-old
daughter Jean were found dead on an
improvised bed in the kitchen Of their
home with gas escaping from five
opened burners Of the range.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-07
COLORADO BANK CLOSED
Slow Collections Given as Reason
for State Taking Over Institution.

DENVER, October lP).-The State
banking commissioner took over the
First State Bank of Calhan at the re-
quest of the board Of directors yeSter-
day
The institutions deposits were listed
at $208 ,965.76; the capital. surplus and
undivided profits at S44.895.87. Slow
collections was given as the reason for
requesting the bank commissioner to
act.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-07

Rumania now has s,545 square miles
OF beach forests
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-17
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
CHICAGO, May Widespread
changes in the American social struc-
ture were noted today in the review OF
President Hoover's Research Committee
on social trends.
Digging into every stratum Of the
social order, the committee found these
changes in religion, investment, educa-
ton, labor. health habits and home
life.
DR.. w. F. Ogburn of the University
of Chicago, research director, said that
after II months of scooping up facts,
the committee was able to see bottom
for the first time.
Education Leads Change.
Education. the committee found,
above all else, had wrought the great
est change In the social structure Ed
ucation has caused changes all the
while in our attitudes toward science.
religion. authority, individualism and
cooperation" Ogburn said. These in
turn modify our basic social structure -
DR.. Ogburn said the committee ex-
pected to present its report to Presi-
dent Hoover early in 1882.
The magnitude Of the program caused
the fact-finding to be carried on in %
subjects. running the gauntlet Of me-
chanlcal inventions. economics, popula-
ton and racial trends on through to
social and public welfare rural and ur-
ban problems and law and government.
Working World Altered.
Discussing the changes in earning a
living, DR.. Ogburn said:
THE investment of money has reach
ed new classes. Employer re-
lationships are changing and the tao
tics and policies of organized wage
earners are profoundly modified. Wom-
en- are found in increasing numbers in
more occupations"
These "instigators of change" the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-17
CURLEY CLUB BANQUET
TO MARK ANNIVERSARY
Archbishop to Be Principal Guest
Tomorrow When Founding 8
Years Ago Is Observed.

A banquet in celebration OF the ninth
anniversary of the organization Of the
Curley Club of Washington will be held
tomorrow night at o'clock In the VIII
lard Hotel. Most Rev Michael j. Cur
ley, archbishop Of Baltimore, will be
the principal guest.
Among the speakers will be Arch
bishop Curley. John Donnelly, presi-
dent; Miss Mary L. MCGEE, founder !;
Rev. Francis J. Hurney Of the Church Of
the Immaculate Conception and Rev.
Francis x. Cavanagh, spiritual director
OF the organization.
Miss Gretchen Baden, Miss Edna
Moreland and Fred Nolan will sing,
while Rotations will be offered by Miss
Grace Sprucebank and Miss Helen Her
beck. The Banquet Committee: Miss
Margaret Freedman, chairman; Miss
Monica Gordon, Miss Ethel Amrnon,
Miss Catherine Freedman, Miss Cor
nelia Rottler, Roland Hyland, William
Boyd, Lewis Robinson, Luke O'Reilly,
Francis Mccain and John Donnelly.