Evening star., 1948-09-22
Porter

president.
Porter
Continued From First Page)
and registered at the Hotel Aber-
deem. He had dinner with friends
that evening and later that night or
the next morning, the date OF SAIL
ing, changed his mind about going
and returned to Washington.
According to friends here, he de-
layed his trip because he decided to
stay here during the contest Of the
will of Mrs. Eleanor Patterson, late
owner and publisher of the Times
Herald.
AS a former treasurer of the news
paper which was bequeathed to
seven Time Herald executives, Mr..
Porter, former financial adviser
to Mrs. Patterson, was expected to
be a key witness in the will suit
brought by Mrs. Patterson's daugh-
ter, Countess Felicia Gizycka.
Had Naturalization Papers.
Mr.. Porter was listed at one time
as one of the newspaper officials to
inherit the Times-Herald, but Mrs.
Patterson later deleted his name
from her will after he left her
employ.
According to friends here, Mr..
Porter said he also was afraid he
might not be permitted to re-enter
this country If he went abroad at
this time. He was q native OF
Edinburgh, Scotland, and had lived
in the United States since 1929,
when he came to New York as an
accountant. At the time of his
death he had his naturalization
papers with him.
1t also was reported that Mr.
Porter told friends that he feared
for his life, and while at the Aber-
deem Hotel in August had friend
register for another room, which
he occupied that night.
At the Clarksburg hotel, where he
plunged to his death, Mr.. Porter
was assigned to room two floors
above an offset and later requested
change to room higher up.
No Record Of Passport.
Other elements added to the
mystery surrounding Mr.. Porter's
death. Cunard officials here con-
firmed that Mr. Porter had reser-
vation for Europe for early
August" but had no record of cam
collation.. State Department Of
ficials reported they had no report
of a passport issued to Mr.. Porter,
despite the fact that a passport
was among his belongings left in
the Clarksburg hotel.
The circumstances of Mr.. Por-
ters visit to West Virginia were
unexplained. 1t was reported with
out confirmation that he went first
to Keyser, w. Va, to see a priest
he knew. and that the priest was
in Boston.
The special investigation Of the
death was made by West Virginia
authorities after a request by attor-
news representing Countess Gizycka.
The countess has petitioned District
Court for appointment Of limited
collector for Mr.. Porter's estate be-
cause of possible bearing papers in
his possession might have on the
will contest.
Three Bags Found in Room.
An unwitnessed will found in Mr..
Porters hotel room named Mrs.
Sibilla Campbell, IS Dupont Circle,
former housekeeper for Mrs. Pat
terson, as executrix.
A Clarksburg newspaperman, who
has followed the case closely, said
that three pieces of luggage also
were found in Mr.. Porter's room
One contained his passport and nat
uralization papers. Another was
marked Times-Herald files, and
third contained clothing and bot
tie of whisky. A wrist watch, bill
fold containing SIT, coin purse
and sun glasses also were found In
the room.
Mr.. Porter's effects were turned
over to a representative of the
Times Herald on an order signed by
Mrs. Campbell. A search this week
of Mr.. Porter's apartment in the
Kennedy Warren here disclosed no
other will.
Boy Witnessed Plunge.
A certificate of death by suicide
was issued on the same day that
Mr.. Porter plunged to his death.
In the special investigation, Sergt
Murphy said he had located a 13-
year -old boy who saw Mr.. Porter
poised on the window ledge and
also the death leap. The plunge oc-
Cured in midafternoon. The boys
name was withheld at the request
of his father, the sergeant added.
Sergt. Murphy said he would SUBJ
NIT his report to State Police Supt
] w. Z. Burnett.
In ordering the investigation
Supt. Burchett said it was being
made because Of the wide publicity
given Porter's death and not be-
cause of any new angles"
Prosecutor Clifford said he had re.
ceived a letter from Mr.. Porter's
brother, Alexander Porter Of Clare.
/ mont, Edinburgh, Scotland, asking
for full information about the death
Mr.. Clifford said Alexander Porter
reported his brother visited him ir
the summer of 1947 and appeared
to be worried" at the time.
The Scotland man also quoted
his brother as saying at the time
? according to the letter received by
!. Mr.. Clifford, Don't be surprised Il