The Seattle Star Newspaper, August 9, 1921, Page 12

F 3 4 i genial soul TOWN FOLK IN KILLING Kennedy-Obenchan Case Hits Scene of Sinclair Lewis Novel Hard BY CARL VICTOR LITTLE EVANSTON, Ti, Aug. 9.— Another story has been written around Main st. The first was penned by Sin- clair Lewis, who later disclosed that this Northwestern univer- sity town was the scene of his popular novel, “Main Street,” and that Evanstonians were his characters. ‘The latest has been written in the police records of Los Angeles and deals again with Evanston folks. Residents of this Methodist college town were indignant when they learned Lewis had “written them up” in a book. They are astounded today to know names of their best People have been recorded in official murier records. The principals of Lewis stayed in Main st. and, eventually, lived ha pily ever after. Characters of the Rew story left Main st. and— Out in Los Angeles, J. Belton Kennedy was murdered from ambush. With him was Mrs. Madalynne Obenchain, his fi- ancee and “prettiest coed of Northwestern university.” Madalynre is the former wife of Ralph Obenchain, prominen attorney, who was president of the senior law class when their college romance started. Arthur Cortney Burch, son of &@ retired minister and North. western university professor and chum of both Obenchain and his Id in connection with 's death. scholarly Rev. ‘William A. Burch, “I believe my boy fs innocent. My son a murderer? I can't believe it. Yes, we are going to wid our boy all we can.” Mrs. Ida Shotwell, motherly and who keeps a college boarding house on Main st., which ts lined with beautiful trees, came to the door wiping her hands on a clean apron. “My heart aches for poor Mad- lynne,” she said. “Yes, she lived here T can still see Madalynne coming from the campus, the books and tossing her pretty head. knew Art Burch very Main st's estimate is borne out closing Girl Tells Story of Midnight Murder United Press Staft Correspondent. (Copyrighted 1921 by The United Press.) 4 ! “almost word for she oné point only she maintained . Madalynne would not speak of Arthur Burch. Pressed for information as to her felationship with Burch she an- & ele I “Did you know that Burch had come to Los Angeles from Illinois, and that he had taken a room at the Russell hotel where he would command a view of Kennedy's of- fices?”" “I knew he was at the Russell, yes.” “Did you ever visit him there?” “I cannot answer.” “Did Arthur Burch love you, Mrs. Obenchain?” “I am positive he did not. He was simply a good friend. He never spoke a word of love to me in his life.” “You do not love him?” “No, 1 do not love him.” Madalynne, of her own accord, Geacribed the “midnight murder,” her story tallying exactly with her original statement to the police, UNEXPECTED CRASH RINGS OUT “Belton and I had motored to the) beaches,” she said, in a well modu- lated, quiet voice. “We returned rather late and drove out to” his summer cottage at Beverly Glen. It was quite late—almost midnight, I should think. “We left the machine and mounted some steps up the hillside leading to the cottage. “I was some distance from Belton when the unexpected crash rang out. It came simultaneously with the flare of a match I had lighted and I was dazed. When the flare faded from my eyes, I could see figures—two I think there were— disappearing into the brush. Hel ton was sinking to the steps. I was paralyzed with terror.” Madatynne paused, her eyes wide with reminiscent horror. “Did Kennedy say anything Geo, but Boldt’s Bread is good! Advertisement, “MAIN ST.” THE SEATTLE STA to youn as he was dying?” “The girt remained silent for @ moment, looking into her lap. “Did he say ‘Goodnight, Mad- alynne?’" her questioners urged. “Yes,” she said slowly, “That is what he said.” oe New Evidence Turns Up Almost Hourly: LOS ANGELES, Aug. 9.—New ev. idence continued to come to light al most hourly in the Kennedy mur; der case here today, the total piling | up with astonishing rapidity on the eve of the forma) inquest by the cor oner's jury, ‘A ca: alleged to have been rented | by Arthur C, Burch before the Bev-| erly Glen murder was discovered during the night. Lynn Keith, garage man, who rented the car, was | taken to the county jail, where he positively identified Burch as the man who had secured the machine. Detectives declared that the pecu- lar tread on the machine compared with the tracks found in the rood at | Beverly Glen in the early dawn Sat- urday, near, where Kennedy had} been shot to death, . “I rented the machine to this man, who gave his name as Jones, at 7) o'clock Friday night,” Keith said to-| day. “He returned it at 1140 p, m."| Burch retained his remarkable nerve and good spirits today, despite | the apparently rising tide of clreum: | stantial evidence. Mrs. Madalynne Obenchain, former beauty, who figures as “the woman in the case,” was almost completely | unstrung, however, and was threat- ened with total collapse. She was said to have fainted yesterday be- hind the locked doors of the dis- trict attorney's office when confront- ed with Burch, allegedly one of her} former flames of Northwestern unl- versity days, Police had in tneir possession to- day a document purporting to be a diary of Madalynhe Obenchain. Entries for a week prior to the murder contained many references to John Belton Kennedy, whom Mad- alynne admits, was her “great love.” An entry in the alleged diary, dat- ed two days before the tragedy, how- ever, carries a brief comment, alleg- edly by Madalynne, to the effect that an ending of her affair with Kenne- dy probably would be for the best. eee CHICAGO, Aug. 9.—Investigation here today by detectives weakened the case against Arthur C. Burch, held in Los Angeles in connection with the murder of J. Belton Ken- nedy. One of the strongest points against Burch, Los Angeles authori- ties stated, was the finding on Bureh’s person of a receipt for a shotgun at the store of Von Len. gerke and Antoine here, Probe here showed the “receipt” was a ticket for a gun Burch left there to be repaired, but never called for. He was to call for it February 1. —— || HERE’S MORE ABOUT | MAHONEY | j | STARTS ON PAGE ONE}! lid, under the watchful gaze of Capt. ‘Tennant, Wrapped heavily blankets, doormats and rags, with a layer of moth-balls in between, the body lay on its side in a crouching | in clothing, position. The head had been beat-| en in with a hammer. A long knife) wound gaped in the side. The face had been sprinkled with quicklime and wrapped with a cloth, The body was unclad, the clothes, including a| corset, gingham dress, pink shirt’ waist and coat, having been used to p it, he woman's hair was partly gone | —her head wag bald in spots, owing | partly, Tennant said, to the use of the quicklime, Her face was un recognizable. | FATAL MISTAKE MADE BY SLAYER Captain Tennant wanted Mahoney |brought to the morgue. | “Let's bring him here to look at |his work,” he said. Prosecuting At |torney Malcolm Douglas, however, |would not agree to it. “Mahoney made not only the 1 |mistake of leaving the identifying wedding ring and the false teeth in the trunk,” said Tennant “The one great mistake, fatal in itself, way the thin rope that Ma honey had used to weight the trunk, anchoring it to the bottom, If the rope had not broken, the trunk would | | slayer. Top row, left to right— Deputy Prosgeuting Attorney | T. H. Patterson, Deputy Cor- oner Frank Koepfli, Captain of Detectives Charles Ten- nant and Dr. W. H. Corson, coroner. Left center—Martin Cam- mon, engineer of the tug Audrey, who says he first saw the trunk, Center—The Mahoney trunk, after being emptied at} the morgue, Right \ center —- Mrs. Kate Mahoney, murdered bride. Lower — James E. | Ma-) honey, ex-convict and alleged still be at the bottom of the canal” The rope broke and the trunk bobbed to the surface with tho sud | denness of the crack of doom, at 340 Monday afternoon. The still| waters of the canal gave up thelr) secret ns suddenly as they had con cealed ft” ENGINEER SIGHTS FLOATING TRUNK Standing on the bridge of the tug boat Audrey, chief engineer Martin Camman spied a Mat object floating innocently on the water. It had not been there a moment before. He seized a pair of glasses. While patrol boat No. 2 circled 200 js away, dragging thie eub marine sled manned by Patrolman Bell on the bottom in search of the trunk, Camman ateered the boat closer and hauled the trunk, drip-| ping, aboard and signaled to the| patrol boat. Together they made/ for land. Bell and Patrolman H. M, Barton, on the patrol boat, claim they had hit the trunk, breaking it loose from its anchor. Bell was beneath | the surface. He had felt his sled) strike an obstruction and eignalled | Barton. The trunk was found 200 yards east of the Latona bridge, in the middie of the channel, exactly in the spot Tennant had maintained for months it would be found. ‘ SEVERAL MAY CLAIM $2,000 REWARD It was taken ashore, while the dis- coverers awaited the arrival of de tectives. It was not opened till! Tennant arrived. It is expected the reward of $2,000 will go to Camman, altho the police divers are expected to put in a claim also, * The crew of the Audrey are: Bd Meagher, Bellevue, Wn., captain; George Bailey, 5416 Ninth ave. N., first mate; Martin Camman, first engineer, and T, Beeman, second engineer. Both Beeman and Cam man live on the boat. TENNANT TELLS MURDER THEORY The finding of the body of Mrs. Mahoney Monday tndicated the com. plete triumph of Captain Tennant’s | theory of the murder mystery. “Murder will gut,’ said Tennant, Tuesday, “I’m, the happiest man alive today, We've got the goods on Mahoney. The mystery’ has cleared up. ‘The murderer is behind the bars. The body has been recov ered, and all the evidence needed to convict 20 men, we've got,” The body was identified beyond all auestion by the set of false teeth! when Dr. Frank E. W honey’s: dentist, rec the pair he had made for her, The| lime had absolutely no effect on the plate and bridge work. ‘That's one of those trifling details that Mahoney forgot to remove, but it was fi No doubt he thought the trunk would been | was cold.bh der. land induced his wife to drink some lof it, patting chloral drops In it. 'IGURES IN SPEC LEADING FIGURES IN TRUNK MURDER CASE. | never be found.” When asked to explain his theory of the woman's death, Tennant said “IT had doped it out exactly right Mohaney ‘gave his wife chloral, which, you know, in called ‘knockout drops.’ Mahoney had used it before on other people. He had been sent to the penitentiary before for just the same thing. “Mahoney, on the night of the murder bought quick lime, five pounds of it, and 30 feet of rope. It xied, premeditated mur He bought beer before retiring, “Mrs, Mahoney soon lost con. sciousness, Then Mahoney picked up a hammer and struck her over the eye and’on the back of the hea crushing the skull BODY STRIPPED AND PACKED IN TRUNK “He stripped the body and packed it Into a trunk he had bought. He wanted the trunk to be new and strong. He packed the lime around the body and covered it with the rug from the bedside and the woman's clothes, all blood soaked, He packed it In mothbalts, why I don't know. “Then Mahoney called the expreas- man and had the trunk delivered to him at the lake. Efe picked up a large sized rock and tied the end of the rope to it. “Rowing out In the lake, Mahoney dropped his guilty secret.” From the begtnning of the case Tennant has maintained, in the face of great opposition and bitter eriti- ciem, that Mra, Mahoney's body wound be found tn a round-topped trunk near the Latona bridge, in Lake Union ship canal, between Lakes Union did Washington. Tennant often stated to reporters that when the body was found it would be partially destroyed by quick lime. Tennant's theories have been borne out in every particular. Tennant stated his ability to prove Mahoney purchased five pounds of quick lime prior to the murder. The body was found In the round-topped it overboard, depending on| |the darkness to ald him in hiding e | ace tetlaaiallchinendsi HERE’S MORE ABOUT WRECK STARTS ON PAGE ONE | quest over one of the 17 bodies which have been recovered, re turned the simple verdict: “Death by drowning and ship wreek.” The tale of the steamer striking | Mlunt’s reef during a fog was retold lat the inquest and charges were made of inefficiéncy in bandling im. properly-equipped lifeboats, but little | that fs new was « to the details already known, Most of the wurvivors had left | Bureka today. A few of the injured and more exhausted remained. | During the night wateh fires were kept burning on the beach and | patrols tr along the safids of Cape Mendocino, in hope that « of the human forms would come | shore, | | Tattle Betty Jean Saunders, who | drifted all niftht swathed in a blanket land life preserver, and was rescued |by a little less than a miracle, today lieft for her parents’ home iff Los | Angeles, in charge of another sur-| | vivor, | Betty carried with her a big new doll to replace the beloved one that went down with the ship, and her |chubby hands were keeping nice and | warm in a big muff an admirer gave her. | She is Ignorant of the fact that her grandmother is among the missing Mrs. Thomas Johnston, of Brook liyn, N. Y., today told the story of how her husband was lost when he refused to join her in the lifeboat jand leave women remaining aboard | the sinking veasel, “When the ship strack my hus- band and ft ¢ and put ons few clothes, ‘8. Johnston told the United Press. “I took my parse, and my husband laughed when I did that—but ob! I'm thankful 1 did so now, for it | | | | } | | | trunk that was hauled to the house. | boat on the night of the murder by |the expresuman, who saw Mahoney | | place it in the rowboat. Matoney Was seen later on the lake with the trank Neighbors claim to have heard! Mra. Mahoney's dying screams. | When found floating bottom side up, | | wrapped In the same rope, in the! same manner that Tennant had} | claimed, the trunk contained the| lime eaten body of the woman. It/ was found in practically the spot! + ithat Tennant had claimed it would be found. UPTO ULSTER AND SINN FEIN Britain Gives Irish Every) Chance for Peace BY ED L. KEEN (United Press Staff Correspondent) LONDON, Ang. 9.—An Irish peace agreement lay solely with Sinn Fein and Ulster today. Great Britain removed all doubt of | her intention to give the Irish every | opportunity to act on her peace pro- posals when sho released all Dail Eireann mengbers who have been in jail, There was obvious relief in Brit- lish newspapers today over the prompt action of the government in obtaining the release of John J. Me- Keown, convicted member of the |Irish parliament, whose detention threatened to upset all the negotia- tons, Dublin correspondents of those pa- pers declared that the Dall Hireann jon August 16 will follow the Sinn | Fein cabinet in approving the pro- posals, BA All-Wool Tuxedo sweaters of all and belts. In sizes to 44, A Bargain at figures. Women’s Black Kid Oxfords THE BON MARCHE RGAIN BASEME Sweater Values Knit With Economy —$3.49— stitch with or without pockets and with narrow sashes In grey, brown, Mohawk, tangerine, navy, black, lavender, Kelly, taupe, pink, Sorrento blue, white. Yard-Wide Percales Medium da-k percales with stripes, dots, checks or SEMENT Sweaters wool in plain or novelty 15c $3.19 Low military heels and lace style are shown in these smart looking Oxfords in sizes 3 to 7 and widths Cand D. You'll want a pair of these! . Stylish Silk Dresses —$10.00 For Small Women : Taffeta, crepe de chine, satin and tricolette dresses in the popular one-piece tuniced and flounced styles. In gray, navy, black and brown. And trimmed with novelty colored embroidery braid, embroidery and fringe. In sizes 16 to 88, ° 3 4 From the Biggest Housefurnishing Section in the Northwest Many Items in Dinnerware, Glassware and Pottery at 20% to 50% Less $94.25 “Rosenthal” China Dinner Sets Cut to $47.15 Rosenthal Bavarian China, with con- ventional multi-colored border designs. Cups and saucers are in the beautiful Donatello shape—full 50-piece set com- plete for 6 persons. $46.45 “Syracuse” China Dinner Set Cut to $34.85 The “Old Harlem” pattern—a pro- duction of the Syracuse china pottery; a pleasing floral pattern on a practical shape. Full 50-piece set complete for 6 persons. —$3.00 “Star Cut” glass water pitch- ers reduced to $1.95. —T5e thin glass flower vases, cut in pretty designs, reduced to 49¢. —65¢ plain glass—covered butter dishes redaced to 38¢. UNION ST. BASEMENT—THE BON MARCHE ” TACULAR MURDE eDonMarché STORE HOURS 9 A. M. TO 5:30 P. M. contained our engagement ring, yet to be saved, and until they which is dearer than anything in | we fely away he would stay the world to me now.” behind, Those were the last . dd took me to the words Lever heard him say.” ug. 9 me in the third . exponstty hh was crowded with EUREKA Aug. 9.—The list di children, 1 begged | of vietims definitely known to have him te come with me, but he re | perished when the Alaska sank was fused, saying there were women | jncreased to 18 this morning when $32.45 Dinner Set Reduced to $25.95 Alfed Meakin, England, is the maker of this high grade semi-porcelain din- nerware—with its attractive border dé- sign—on an ivory background. Full 50-piece set complete for 6 persons. $22.70 Dinner Set Reduced to. $15.00 A fine quality of dinnerware, from American manufacturers. A_ pretty floral design on a medium weight dur- able body—handles are fully covered with coin gold—50 pieces, complete for 6 persons. oe a —25c cream pitchers, cut in Star. pat- terns, reduced to 14¢. —$5.00 “Heisey” etched sherbet , glasses, set of 6, reduced to $3.95. —$18.50 large size Art pottery, Jardi- niere on Pedestal, reduced to $12.50. Women, Listen to This ‘ Nemo Self-Reducing Corsets—Exceptionally Low Priced $6.95 Nemo Self-Reducing Corset—such good :val- ue that we are more than pleased to make this offer. For medium and full figures, very low bust with elastic top inserts, long skirts, elastic inserts in Made of pink back and graduated front steels. brocaded material—sizes 26 to 36. New Nemo Corsets, No. 620, Priced at $5.00 Corsets extremely low above the waist, with elas- tic inserts in bust—long skirt—made of white or pink coutil, sizes 22 to 34—for the average stout figure—sizes 22 to 34. SECOND FLOOR The Butterick Quarterly for Fall is just in— 25¢—with coupon good for 10c on any paper pattern. Tuxedo.Fiber . Sweaters $5.95 Summer days are calling to you to wear these pretty Sweaters with your. sport skirts. Made in ribbed, block or plain weave with revers of brushed wool or of self weave, fully belted. Shown in rattan, brown and buff, black and grey, Mohawk, Copen, black, navy, rose and black—and fiber Tuxedo in all sizes. ow Prices Reign Supreme on Cotton Goods and Towels Hope Muslin 15c Yd. 2,000 yards of Hope Muslin—fine, soft quality with no dressing, a full yard wide, lengths to 7 yards. Indian Head 15c Yard Unbleached, fine heavy material, a full yard wide, lengths to 15 yards. For pillow cases, sheets, porch screens and other uses. Soisette Remnants 25c Yd. 300 yards of Soisette Remnants— black, tans, cream and white in the lot; 80 inches wide, lengths to 5 yards. SECOND FLOOR FABRIC FLOOR—THIRD White Baronette Jme= Hats Reduced to By $3.95 . Glistening Hats of lovely Baronette in white—so bé ~ coming and cool-looking for sunshiny days. ; Made in simple styles” with rosettes of ; nétte, flanges of white Georgette, black or white fringe or black lace. A few hats of silk and’ taffeta in white, flower % trimmed, are included. THIRD FLOOR To use now or to lay” away for gifts. 4 Filet Pattern Doilies and Scarfs —12inch Filet Doilies at © 85ce and 50c each. —6-inch Filet Doilies at T5e, set of 6. a Entirely of Filet pattern with lace edge — others * with linene center. Fine for luncheon sets or dec- orations. —Filet Pattern Scarfs, 36, 45 and 54-inch, $1.19. THIRD FLOOR—THE BON MARCHE Huck Towels 15c Each Heavy bleached Huck Towels, with pretty blue*borders; sizes 18x36 inches at 15¢ each. Turkish Towels 19c Each Bleached and hemmed Turkish Tow- els—good weight, size 18x35 inches | good value at 19¢ each. Heavy Damask 59c Yd. 1,000 yards of strong, serviceable Table Damask—64 inches wide, fine looking patterns—lengths té 10 yards.