The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat., May 26, 1916, Image 1

About The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922

Image provided by: State Historical Society of Iowa

                
i'\'
DOLLAR DAY
MAY-2 7
VOL. 122. NO: 126.
iis-mzr,
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Cervantes was the leader of the
bandits who have been terrorising
this section of Mexico for many
months and who has been relentlessly
pursued by the various detachments
which form the punitive expedition.
I He was killed after he attempted to
rush a party of engineers who were
I repairing a road about six miles south
of
LAS
News of the attack was sent at
once to the United States garrison at
'iX*s Cruces and a cavalry company
tinder command of Lieutenant B. T.
(Marchant, of Ifew York, attached to
the Thirteenth cavalry, waa sent in
pursuit of the bandits. The bandits
had their fire returned hy the engi
neers and fled In disorder into Atme
da canon, to get Into the Bacora
country. A troop of the Eleventh
cavalry, under Captain Clay Cushman,
also started In pursuit. Cushman's
command overtook the bandits and
engaged them. Two of the bandits
were killed and a number wounded,
Cervantes was one of the dead. His
& body was identified by the mayor of
Las Cruces. By General Pershing's
SsJ order, the bodies were brought hero
tor further identification. Both Miexl
cans were killed by George O. Hnlitt
of the Seventeenth Infantry machine
gun company, who was hlmaelf
wounded.
It Is believed here that Cervantes
did not Intend to attack the road work
ers, but that closely pursued, he tried
to cross the valley and ran Into
them.
"The death of Cervantes win have
a good effect as far as clearing up the
bandit gjbtuation in. this vicinity." said
General Pershing.
^^4,:Orowlnfl Ho^MHty.
OOffJUMBUS, N. QL, May 26.—A
growing hostility to Americans has
"been reported from along General
Pershing^ line of communication in
to Mexico. Truck drivers handling
communication trains have so far
been the ftdef sufferers, but there is
a growing fear among army men at
the Columbus base that the tension
Jury Acquitted Her of Crim
inal Charge and Freed
Two Detectives.
CHICAGO, May 26-.—The stage was
Set today for the third act in the
Matters baby melodrama. The scene
today Is the court of Federal Judge
Landls and this act may end the play.
Mrs. DolMe Ledgerwood Matters,
who was acquitted last night by a cir
cult court jury of the charge of foist
ing a spurious heir on her husband's
Restate, was to appear before the fed
•ieral judge today and light for posses
sion of the baby.
Margaret Ryan, a Canadian country
jgirl, who said she Is the real mother
%of the Matters baby. Is seeking Its
custody In the fight before Judge
jLandis.
iUi A,.
WWff0^
A*.
American Troops Run Across Band of Out
,., laws and Shot Down Two, Including
Cervantes.
.v..v..
TRUCK DRIVERS WERE ASSAULTED
Feeling of Hostility is Growing Among Natives,
.y Who Throw Rocks at American
Soldiers.
TTEUD" HEADQUARTERS, N"AMI
QUIP
A, May 25. (via. radio to Colum
bus, N. M., May 26.)—Candelario Cer
vantes was killed by American troops
south of Cruces today.
Cruces, about nine a. m. to-
'day. It Is estimated that there were
about twenty In the attacking party.
Three Americans were wounded,
one of whom died shortly after the
tanSNKwnmit.
Mrs. Matters now has scored a
victory and a defeat in the first two
acta of the Matters baby case. A pro
•ibate court ruling held the child was
jnot bars the jury last night ac
quitted her of a criminal charge and
•also freed two detectives who were -pooement waa granted. baby w»s
4*uugtif
will result in conflict between the
troops.
The Carransa soldiers at the gar
rison of Nueva Casas Grandes, near
the American base at Colonla Dub
Ian, have been reported as strikingly
hostile. Several times recently the
army motor trains have encountered
barbed wire obstacles In the roadway
near that town. The train just ar
rived reported having' ran into the
barrier In the darkness. While re
moving the wire, the Americans were
Jeered by a crowd of Mexicans,
among whom were uniformed men.
The jeers were followed by a shower
of stones. Several Americans were
painfully hurt. Captain Harper, in
command of the train, prevented the
Americana from vine their guns
and the inclde«rt-pi*sed without'
bloodshed.
The Americas force is straighten
ing its line into Mexico and in conse
quence the American troops are
about to be withdrawn from Boco
Grandes, Xfcpla and OJo Fredrico. The
new trail runs directly southwest to
Ascehclon, seventy miles distant.
The officers of the Quartermaster's
corps, who have been working out
plans for caring for the troops dur
ing the approaching wet season say
their plans are In such shape that
the American column wtyl be cared
for, even If the roads 'beoome im
passable.
Courtmartial at San Antonio.
TOABHINGmN, May 26.—General
Funstoo recommended to the war de
partment today that Fort Sam Hous
ton, San Antonio, Texas, be the place
for holding the court martial cff the
116 Texas militiamen who failed to
respond for muster for border duty.
He also submitted a list of regular
army and militia officers to consti
tute the court. President Wilson was
expected today to take formal action
in ordering the court.
One American 'Killed.
WASHINGTON, May 26.—Official
reports of the fight between American
troops and Mexican bandits near Cru
ces, received at the war department
today, contained the information that
Trance Corporal Davis Marksbury, ma
chine gun detachment, Seventeenth
Infantry, was the soldier killed.
By a new French process aluminum
can be so substantially nickel-plated
that the metal can be hammered and
bent without cracking".
MRS. MATTERS NOT GUILTY
BUT MAY LOSE THE BABY
Case Is Delayed.
CHICAGO, May 26— Mrs. Dollie
Ledger wood Matters, freed of a cr'm
lnal charge in the Matters baby c*«e.
sought a delay today in the actual
banle for possession of the ohilu.
Acquitted by a jury of the charge of
foisting the baby on her husband's
estate as a spurious heir, Mrs. Mat
ters was to have staged a fight be
fore Federal Judge Landls today
against Margaret Ryan, a Canadian
girl, who claims she is the real
mother of the child and is seeking its
custody.
Her attorneys, however, pleaded
that the baby is ill and that because
the criminal court trial did not end
until yesterday, they have not had
time to perfect their sppeal.
Tfca federal court proceedings Is a
habeas corpus case, involving the
baby as an 'Immigrant" in that It was
born In a Canadian hospital.
Margaret Ryan said today she
wanted her baby, but was glad Mrs.
Matters was acquitted.
"I didn't want her ro go to prison,"
flfltfti
Judge Landls granted a delay until
next Wednesday morning. Miss Ryan
fainted In the court room, after crying
out, "I want my baby," when the post-
MThe
c4 ,-
•x "V
owat.
FRANCE
PARIS, May 26.—French troops re
pulsed German attacks on the west
bank of the Meuse, northwest of Ver
dun In last night's fighting and made
gains on the east bank, the war office
announced today.
By a smashing counter attack, the
French recaptured the trench lost yes
terday near Thiaumont farm, east ii
the Meuse. Near the farm the French
advanced by a grenade attack.
West of the river, the Germans con
tinued to rake the whole French front,
especially around Dead Man's hill
and near Ave court with the most
violent fire. The German* attempted
an Infantry attack which was cut
short by curtain fire from the French
guns.
For thirty-six hours there has been
no cessation In the cannonading
around Hill 304 and Avocourt. The
German artillery attack here is be
lieved to be the prelude to an at
tempt to storm Hill 304 and capture
the Avocourt positions, bringing the
Gerfans closer to the St. Menehould
railway, leading eastward to Verdun.
Further gains by the Germans on
both banka of the Meuse has aroused
the French capital to the seriousness
of the situation at Verdun. No anxiety
la felt here. Even should the French
be forced eventually to evacuate the
fortress because of the continued ad
vance of the crown prince's right
wing, there would be no alarm in
Paris. But it Is realized that the Ger
mans this week have concentrated
their forces In the heaviest strokes
yet delivered against tho oitadel.
So terrific has been the infantry
struggle waged on-all sectors of Ver
dun this week, that It is impossible
to make accurate estimates cf the
losses. How many uncounted dead
and wounded lie ot« the.slopes of
Dead Man's hill and in the gullies
and woods near Douaumont fort will
not be known until the artillery tem
porarily ceasea belching flame across
the battlefield.
:#C
W2
fcEWEWAL OF BATTLE.
LONDON, May 28.—Violent artil
lery fighting, preparing the way for a
renewal of the pitched battle between
two great'armies around Verdun were
reported In dispatches from Paris
and Berlin this afternoon.
The lull In Infantry fighting since
early yesterday, coupled with- heavy
cannonading la believed to indicate a
At times grinning, at times serious,
Dr. Waite told the story. He would
smile with pleasure when searching
his memory, he could reveal to the
Jury a point he had forgotten. The
salient points revealed In his confes
sion from the witness stand are:
That he did not, nor does not know
whether he loved Clara Peck.
He made her love him because her
parents were wealthy.
The Idea of the poisoning came to
him as soon as he met Clara after his
return from South Africa in 1914.
He administered germs to the
wealthy Miss Katherine Peck before
his marriage to Clara. The germs
were given her In gifts of food
dainties.
After the marriage, when Mrs. John
E. Peck, his mother-in-law, arrived
here, he was ready for her and
started the germ administration at
once, daily slipping deadly disease
bacilli into her milk, cofTee and all
other food at which he had a chance.
When she diejjU he got ready for
John El Peck.
Ftor a long time he gave Peck
disease germs in a vain attempt to
kill him.
He sprinkled Peck's bed sheets
with water, hoping ha would catch
(Ooattnaed on page 2.) (Continued on page 2.)
NEJW YORK, May 26.—His un
precedented story of murder and at
tempted murder told, Dr. Arthur War
ren Watte will today face cross ex
amination in his trial for the poison
ing of his millionaire father-in-law,
John B. Peck of Grand Rapids.
The smiling defendant, who in a five
hoors direct examination told of two
murders and a vain attempt at a
third, stands today the most remark
able criminalist. His story utterly
amazes men who have for years been
listening to stories of hardened
wretches told in their hours of re
morse.
His boyishness, his charming man
ner, persisted through his story. He
confessed his murders without a tre
mor, but shrunk and blushed and
hung his head when he found it neces
sary to uter a vile world.
Greed, he told was the motive for
the crimes.
It came out In two questions:
"Why did you administer germs and
poison to the Peckp?" he was asked.
"I wanted them to die."
"Why did you want them to die?"
"I wanted their money."
KEOKUK, IOWA, FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1916
BBy John H. Hearley, United
Staff Correspondent.]
ROMIE, May 26.—A terrific smash
wlttAn a few weeks, aimed at elim
inating the Turks and Bui gars from
the war will be the allied' first great
stroke for peace.
This is the report In general circu
lation here today. Heavy allied
blows from Salonika and in Mesopo
tamia will be followed by a tremen
dous offensive against Auetro-Ger
mans in an attempt to win the war
before winter.
French* English, Serbian and Italian
forces are reported concentrated at
Salonlka awaitin9
the word to strike
aga|nst the Bulg»r8 and German8
southern Serbia. (This is the first re
port that Italian troops are at Sa
lonika.) Meanwhile the Russians are
pressing on toward Bagdad, rolling
back the Turks.
The public continues to watch with
confidence the official statements, fol
lowing the situation on the Trentino
front.
It Is now reported that the first
(Continued on page 2.)
to fall back more than five miles up
on the town- of «AIml• -At- the aame
time It Increases the heavy pressure
on the whole Italian line of fortifica
tions from Pasubio to the Arsiero
forts, now threatened with capture.
The Chiesa positions, carrying the
Austrian advance down the Vallarsa
valley, were captured by the Austrian
right wing. The Austrians attacked
with great spirit after artillery had
partly wrecked the enemy works and
Poisoner Smiles as He Tells
of Slaying His Wife's Parents
Finally despairing of the subtle
means, he bought arsenic and admin
istered it not once but, as he remem
bered, about four times. At mid
night on March 11, when Peck was
in his death agonies, he went into his
room, gave him chloroform and then
held a pillow down over his face until
Peck was dead from the joint effects
of arsenic, chloroform and smother
ing.
After making funeral arrangements
he then went to bed and Blept
soundly.
His relations with Mrs. Margaret
Horton, "studio Margaret," and now
"Margaret, the traitor," were as she
related them, pure and platonlc.
While he talked, the father sat in a
remote part of the court room with
his two other sons and sobbed.
Sometime today the experts on in
sanity are to take the stand and tes
tify whether Dr. Waite was insane to
the point where he did not know right
from wrong when he committed the
murder of Peck.
Amazing Story Resumed.
NEW YORK, Hay 26.—Calm admis
sion that he had planned to kill his
wife as well as her parents, Mr. and
Mrs. John B. Peck, of Grand Rapids,
and Miss Catherine Peck, her aunt,
was made on the witness stand to
day by Dr. Arthur Warren Waite,
when he resumed his amazing story
of the arch poison plot through which
he hoped to gain the Peck millions.
Waite denied that he attempted to
kill Mrs. Waite, but said he had con
sidered it.
Asked the flat question, "are you
crazy?" on cross examination, Waite
replied:
"I think not."
"IMdn't yon sat at Bellevue that you
were ready to pay the penalty with
your life?" asked Assistant District
Attorney Brothers
"I did."
"Do you care now what becomes of
you
*1 want to do what is right"
"What did you take the sulphonol
find trionol for on the day of your ar
rest?"
*H wanted to kill myself."
The greatest crowd that has storm
ed the criminal building since the
opening of the sensational trial was,
on hand today. Lon% lines of men
and women were 'waiting, before the
dossa opeasd, ft.stnwd
at
pottoe held
S\ 'i ifE-iVr
iilfl:
BERLIN, May 26.—German troops
have made further slight advances
northeast of Verdun, crossing a ra
vine near Douaumont and throwing
the French back In the fighting south
of Fort Douaumont, the war office
announced this afternoon.
Six hundred prisoners and twelve
machine guns were recaptured in the
Douaumont fighting.
On the west bank of the Meuse a
French grenade attack west of Hill
304 waa repulsed.
NO PEACE THIS aUIMMCR.
[By Carl W. Aokerman, United Press
Staff Correspondent.]
BERLIN, May 26.—President Wil
son should make no attempt to Inter
vone in the European war at present,
two well Informed neutral ambassa
dors told the United Press today.
Peace this summer Is Impossible,
they agreed. Recent exchanges be
tween the belligerent capitals and
confidential information obtained
through diplomatic channels, con
vinces them that each side is too con
fident of Its ability to win the mili
tary victories this summer to listen to
peace proposals.
One ambassador said he thought
fighting would cease In October, ap
parently basing his opinion on the
conviction that this summer's fighting
will only emphasize* the deadlock.
Peace negotiations, he suggested
would then be carried on throughout
the winter, taking at least a year for
their conclusion.
VIENNA, May 26.—Austrian troops
have stormed and captured the
strongly fortified Italian positions at
Chiesa, twenty-one miles northwest of
Vioenza, after a three day's battle,
it was officially announced today. The
Austrian victory drives a wedge in
the Italian front and will force the
Italian left wing in the Adige valley blockade depends on his acceptability
Both ambassadors, however, believe
that as matters stand now some oth
er neutral, rather than the United
States, will have a better chance of
succeeding in peace proposals.
Whether President Wilson takes a
very firm stand against the
from the German viewpoint as media
tor. ..
CHICAGO,
May
26^ A
poju^jjaarot,
who shrieks "votes for women" and
"votes, votes, votes," will be placed
on a decorated perch in front of the
Michigan avenue headquarters of the
suffragettes here during the republi
can and progressive conventions.
The suffragettes have been busy for
the past week training the parrot,
who, of course, is a lady bird.
Mrs. Horton and the "man from
Egypt" figured in Waite's testimony
when the cross examination was tak
en up.
"Do you remember teHLr.i Detec
live Duniff that you did nut want
your wife to find out about Mrs. Hor
ton?"
Waite admitted writing about Mrs.
Horton from Bellevue.
"And you were faking Insanity at
Bellevue?"
"I was not."
"Did you conspire with others in
the Tombs to get up an insanity de
fense?"
"I did not."
"Did you mention the man from
Egypt while at Bellevue?"
"No, not at Bellevue, but I did else
where."
"You confessed yesterday that you
have been a llax and a ihief all of
your life. What assurance have we
that yon are telling the truth now?"
An objection to this was sustained.
When Brothers asked Waite If he
expected to get a couple of million
dollars after the death of Peck, the
dapper young dentist replied that he
did not expect "that much." He
said he planned to leave the city, but
denied that he Intended going away
with Mrs. Horton,
"You do not deny your guilt"?"
queried Brothers.
"I have never denied it."
"What is your defense?"*
"1 am making no defense."
Waite reiterated that he did not
know whether he loved Clara Peck.
"And you placed arsenic in Mr.
Peck's month with the intent that he
should die?"
"I did."
Here Justice Shearn took up the
questioning cut the prisoner.
"You knew it was wrong to steal?"
"I did."
"And then you knew it was wrong
to murder?"
"Yes, I think I did."
"When you were in the Christian
Endeavor society you learned it was
against the law of God?"
"Yes, I think I did."
In another reference to Mrs. Hor
ton under Brothers' examination.
ICoptlaapd an ga«a aj
4 Cm.
NEW YORK, May 29.—The climax
of the pre-convention campaign in
the east will come tomorrow. It will
be the day on which Colonel Roose
velt is expected to reiterate his "key
note" in receiving 1,600 pilgrims at
Oyster Bay it may be the day on
which the Hughes boomers will maKe
their first claim of lelegates.
But after tomorrow most of the
"before the battle" atmosphere will
breeze away to Chicago, the "conven
tion city.
Governor Whitman's presence in
New York lent impetus to the Hughes
boom. Frank H. Hitchcock, who has
allied ^ust Eum-shoed the south in the In
terest of the justice, was a silent
picture of optimism.
Governor Whitman said the justice
would undoubtedly be nominated.
Although the Root headquarters ar«
Parrot Will Shriek. now speeding to Chicago in the per-
0f Representative Dwight aijd
Charles M. Pepper, the former sena
tor's friends ridiculed the Hughes
boom.
sons
Senator Sherman of Illinois, who
happened to be in New York, declared
that Roosevelt would have a square
deal at Chicagp.
"If the people want him he will be
nominated," the Illinoisan asserted.
Despairing of making any sort of a
forecast of the nominee, the general
run of non-partisan political leaders
here have been discussing vice presi
dent names considerably. It is admit
ted the"" running mate job will be
traded."
1
the crowd in check, but a scramble
ensued immediately when prospective!
spectators were permitted to file in.
Women were barred.
Burrough, Cummins, Whitman, Had-
ley. Senator Wads worth of New York,
and Sherman of Illinois have all been
mentioned.
Progressive Plans.
WASHINGTON, May 26.—It Colo
nel Roosevelt wins the Chicago con
vention, William 'Howard Taft will
be for him. This news came to re
publican leaders here today from a
source close to both Roosevelt and
Taft. The latter, in the cily for the
League to Engorce Peace meeting,
would not give confirmation.
He would only chuckle and shake
his head when asked about the report'
Finally, between chuckles, he said:
"Why should I comment on such a
violent hypothesis?"
With this, however, came a report
that a number of western delegates
to the progressive convention do not
intend to follow Roosevelt in any
path he may select. Should he en
deavor to endorse a candidate of the
conservative type, or should he ap-
Jury in Orpet Case is no Place
Near Finished on the
Eleventh Day.
COURT ROOM, WAUKEGAN. Hi.
May 26.—Celeste Youker, tl-e girl Will
Orpet hoped to marry, will make a
personal appeal to Judge Charles Don
nelly for the return to her of the
letters she wrote Orpet it was said
today, as Orpet's trial for the mur
der of Marian Lambert reached Its
eleventh day.
These letters, now locked in the
vaults at the court house, will be used
by the prosecution of Orpet to prove
a motive—his love for another wom
an—in the death of Marian, if Judge
Donnelly consents to their use.
Donnelly has said he will bar the
letters if possible.
The seventh panel of 100 men for
Jury service' reported today. With
only four jurors permanently accept
ed, both state and defense have used
so many peremptory challenges they
have only ten each left
RapM Progress Now.
CMRj^ IWCXJ^, DJL,
k'1 28
THE WEATHEB "J
Pair and cooler Saturday. Lo
cal, temp—7 p. m. 84 7 a. m. 74
If the People Want Roosevelt as Republican
Candidate He Will be Given the
Nomination.
AND THE HATCHET WILL BE BURIED
Progressives From the West Say TKey Do Not
Intend to Let Colonel be Too «'t
Dictatorial.
TWELVE PAGES 3
prove a p4atfarm la wliMi the "bo
cial justice" planks of 1912 hav« only
an important place. If any set all,
they Intend to name a -candidate of
their own and make an independent
light
Progressive republican senators
have decided their work at Chicago
will be to have as ranch of the "pro
gressive" program as possible, tn the ,4*
republican platform.
They win attempt to obtain definite
If secondary, planks on humanitarian/
legislation, control of trusts, and rail
way regulation. Apparently the^' recall?
of judges and the recall of Judicial vie-'*
clslons will have no friends at all In
the republloan gathering.
"We will contend," said a leadlns
progressive-reptrbncaa senator today,
"that If the nation awes Mbe citizens
on the high seas .absoluterprotection
from danger, it Is under/ obligations
to see that he Is fairly treated at
home and at work
Individually, LaP\Ilette will make
an effort to prevent the seaman's bill
from attack Senator Kenyon for a
declaration against pork barrel tegi»
latlon Senator Borah $nd Senator
Norris for the regultlon of railway
securities by the Interstate commerce
commission.
'J
iS
I.
Kansas Wants Hftrghes.
CHICAGO, Mfcy 26.— Roosevelt
boosters today asked the colonel to
-address a mass meeting in Chicago
Monday- daring his four boar stay
here enroute to Kansas City. An
automobile parade and other features
of a demonstrationvfor Roosevelt were
arranged.
The political-ckaafcopened headquar
ters at Chicago hotels today.
Few of the presidential candidates
now are not represented.
John W. Dwight. oh airman of EHhu
Root's campaign committee, was
among the arrivals. He said Root
sentiment was growtag stronger
every minute and that Roofs name
will be represented to the cotrv-entian
by a majority of the New Yorfc dele
gation.
David Mulvahe of Kansas, a Taft
leader in 1912, said here today that
"Kansas is growing stronger for
Hughes, but would never tolerate
Roosevelt"
Missouri Not for T. R.
ST. LOUIS, Mo., May 26—RepoM*.
cans again monopolized the limelight
(Continued on page, 3J
GIRL WANTS LOVE LETTERS
RETURNED BY THE COURT
May 26.—With the jury now two
thirds complete, rapid progress in
the trial of William H. Orpet for
Marian Lambert's murder was ex
pected this afternoon.
Four more jurors, making up the
second panel, were accepted before
noon. Of the eight men now in the
box, all but one Is married and has
a family. The state has insisted on
family men, selecting, when poes&le.
those who have daughters 'near the
age of Marian Lambert.
The new jurors accepted today
are:
J. J. Brand, fiftyOve, mazrled.
Highland Park, a painter has two
children.
E. J. Back, grocer, married High
land Park.
James O'Sfrea, marrfed, pfano sales
man, Waukegan^ has two children.
Sam Bradbury, publisher of a
weekly newspaper at Lake Bluff,
married and has four children.
The first four jurors accepted were
Carl Shreck, a single man. of Liberty
ville Len Barthell. married, father
of a 16 year old daughter, foreman of
an ice house, and residing in Antioch
Chas. Steinkamp, father of seven
children, a retired merchant of
W&ukegan CL B. Small, father of. fiv»
girte and three boys, a
ianaar o^lBa»