St. Louis Post-Dispatch
December 9, 1905

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‘ep 3 changing the plea of “not guiity’’ to when firet arraigned, and, despite par- death or to the ; Stand to heip him determine View of _ sible. _ Paralyzed on one side, and this »rob- ably was “responsible for his imbe-

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Seventh Edition

Last Week Of St. Louis’ Post-Dispatch

“Another Lucky 13 13,351 best people advertised in Try a 3-Time Ad—andg Success is Yours: 5ST. LOUIS POST-DISPA L

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ONLY ST. LOUIS EVENING NEWSPAPER WITH ASSOCIATE? PRESS DISPATCHES.

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Wants

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mT PLEA ("useaueamne | Temperature Will Reach 22 BY OR. HART, CHILD SLAYER Aa Ww Former St. Louisan Surprises Chicago Court by Con- fessing Murder.

A HIGH-GRADE IMBECILE A Physicians Testify Hart Is Sut- fering From De- mentia,

GAVE GIRL POISONS

Crime Committed While Hart's Child-Wife Was Away From Home. Dr. Oliver B. Hart, son of A. B. Hart of 19 Portland place, pleaded gutity in Chicago Saturday we the murder of Irene Klokow, aged 10, whom he drugged with morphine after attacking her in his home in Rogers Park, Chi- cago, Oct. 5 last. Hart’s father and his child-wife, the latter the daughter of George Kreiges- man of 4716 McMillan evenue, 14 years old at the time of her marriage in jAugust. 1904, were in court and heard his plea. Mrs. Hart's mother sat at her side. Dispatches from Chicago to the Post- Dispatch say that great surprise wae caused by the action of the defense in “guilty.” Hart had pleaded not guilty tial confessions made at the time of his arrest, had maintained his inno- cence. Judge Barnes, who, it is believed, 6 not anticipate the plea ef guilty, | Dr, Hart before him after the , had been announced by the le physician's attorney, Moritz sventhal. you understand that, on the / you have just entéted, the Court ‘the power to sentence you to Penitentiary for a Lerm of years extending from 14 years to life imprisonment?’ the ourt — risoner nodded, hardly looki ater his questioner. e was pale dark rings were under his eyes. His father, gray-haired and dressed stylish business suit, listened in ahehoe. He had maintained his son’s innocence of the crime of murder, though he had disowned him for his indulgence in drugs. Many Women in Court. A large number of Rogers Park neighbors of Dr. Hart, many of them fashionably dreased women, were in . the courtroom. After Dr. Hart’s plea it was ex- plained to the Court that all the wit- hesses in the case would not be placed n the stand, but those who had testi- fled at the Coroner's inquest would be @8ked to affirm their testimony. ee. Barnes agreed to this. Bach witness was then called before - the bar and asked to identify hi si nature in the Coroner’s minutes. This ot having been completed the ——. ° records were filed with th “sa Moyr testified Dr. Hart had the mind of a boy 12 years old. Another —" on sanity, James E. Kier- nan, described the defendant as a aaigh rete imbecile, suffering from =: O. W. Lewke, Coroner’s phy- > alcien, who'made the examination of the body of Irene Keakow, eaid he had assisted in the analysis of the Est & URY FOREMAN

| Prominent Physician of Ken- nett, Mo., and Ex-Con- vict Held in Jail. Not Written by Others Than Jurors,

New Commissioner Maroney | Daniel Crites, Prosperous Farm- | Attended Meeting and Took | | Remembers Little of Lively Interest, What Happened,

of the — FATHER CASEY'S IDEA OF “DAMN,” BY FATHER FE. A. CASEY. “Damn” is er is not a swear word, depending on how it is used. If a man should say “Damn it."’ I would consider it a vulgarism, but if he were to say “damn you” it would be swearing. By Standard Dictionary. Damn-—-V. use profanity; a Staff Correspondent Post-Dispatch. WENNETT. Moa., Wec,. 9.—Dr. Harrison, one the hest sici this section of Misscuri, and John Sweeney.-an-ex-convict, have been indicted by the Dunklin County grand} jury on dowble charges of assault with intent to kill and mayhem. Harrison bas been released on bond and Sweeney is in jail pending the recovery of Daniel Crites, the victim of an illegal and inhuman operation. He is at the Kernett Hote) under the care of three physicians Deing nursed by his. wife. The operation that may was performed a week ago last night in a vacant house near the Frisco depot and after it was finished Crites was left on the railrodd track unconscious. He revived in time to roll off the track just before a train passed. It is sup- posed thet hia assailants left him on the railroad expecting that he would he From Acs of -known tphy- iams 1%

| | to curse profanely; to n., @ curs€; an oath; (-—) not care a damn, (slang), not care in the least. Interj. (colloquialism) Damn me.

ad ru cause his death

| i During the hearing of Policeman Jere- miah Buckley, charged with swearing at Walter G. Battle, foreman of the October grand jury. before the Police Board, Commissioner Jones asked Mr. Battle if it was true that the final re- ey NO OO AOA At ay re ae. oe eee =

H. F. KRIGER.

port of the October grand jury, in| killed and his hody mangled so that NSIEIAR ARA ESN EE RS RANK Setar —_— MRS. ADA HENDEL.

wonseastaeh ee a EAD WITH HAN

evidence of the inhuman operation would be destroyed. May Result in Murder. Should Crites die, and attending him say that not certain, Prosecuting Attorney W. R. Hall says that he will at once is sue information against Dr. Harrison and Sweeney, charging murder in the firet degree. ' Mr. Crites was unable to appear be- fore the’ grand jury and the members of that body visited him at the hotel and heard his story. This staten MY. | Crites afterwards repeated to the Post- | Dispatch correspondent in Me presence | of Rev. Nelson B. Henry, pastor of Kennett Methodist Church. Though he was somewhat feverish, Mr. Crites was} fully conscious and he told his story! clearly and with mugh detail. This is | the statement dictated by Mr. Crites | and taken down verbatim: “My name is Daniel Crites. [ am 39 years old, married and have four chil- J live three miles from Malden, T came to Kennett Thursday night, wv. the purpose of paying 83 taxes and making a land deai. I brought’ with me about $12. Friday morning I transacted my business. “Some time during the afternoon I met John Sweeney, whom I had never known before, and with him went to Owl City, seven miles from here. We went there for the purpose of getting drinks, Kennett being a ‘dry’ town. While there Sweeney had a fight with a bartender, and had it not been for me he would have heen killed which the Police Department was escath- ingly arraigned,.was written by some- one outside the grand jury room. Mr. Battie indignantly replied that it was not. “You know me well enough, Mr. Jones, to know that I would not stand for anvthing Hke that.’ said Mr. Rat- tle. “Have you any objection io telling us who did write the repert then?’ “TT am adverse to entering inio a dis- cussion of the affairs of the grand jury, but I do not mind telling vou that the report to which you have reference was the result of suggestions of each member of the grand jury and wes approced from start to finish by each and every member.” When M. Battle appeared before the board to relate the details of an alter- cation he had with Policeman Buckley at the Thanksgiving Day football game between Smith Academy and High School he prefaced his remarks by stat- ing that he did not wish to appear in the light of @ prosecutor. _ Refuses to Discusg Report. “Im not after this man's star.’’ Mr. Battle, ‘‘and had I known would go so far I would made complaint.” “You aire acquainted with the tents of the last grand jury report, you not?’ asked Mr. Stewart. “1 do not care to discuss the grand jury report,” replied Mr. Battle. ? “T am not asking; you to discuss the report. I don’t ask yeu to tell the con- tents of the report; I merel, you are acquainted with then.” “Tl most assuredly am.” “Then proceed with your against this officer.” Mr. Stewart had been referring to the portion of the October gTand jury’s report which stated that the Board of Police Commissioners was the final rem- edy for police outrages, and that the grand jury had the greatest confidence in the board's ability to cope with the situation. Mr. Battle stated that he was tn the crowd of spectators that was forced over the rope stretched about the foot- ball field, and that Policeman Buckley, in forcing th= crowd back, haq sworn at him. the physicians his recovery is

Mrs. Margaret Coffey Killed by Gas While Preparing for Church.

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OVERCOME ONCE BEFORE} Aftlicted With Asthma and Unable to Detect the Odor. : clasped

Was dren. Mo. Novy.

With prayer, os ip was har Mrs, found dead of Mr street, hands as for Coffey at the At i 4 » = Margaret Said that it never have home Olive her room Johnson, Saturday. Death to asphyxiation. The room was filled with gas, which was flow- rat from a jet which was turned on u Hier attitude indicated that when the gas began to overcome her she clasped her hands over her breast and prayed until she died. Mrs. Coffev was the widow of James Coffey, a former prosperous cattle man. The family formerly lived near St. Malachi’s Church. She had made her home for five years with Mrs. Johnson and the two women were close friends. It has heen the custom of Mrs. Cof- fey to rise every morning at 6 o'clock and go to church. Mrs. Johnson thinks that she arose at the usual time Saturday morning, and’ after lightine the gas felt il] and aecident- ally turned the gas on after turning it Out before lying down again. Couldn’t Detect Odor. As she was afflicted with’ asthma she would not have detected the odor. The window was closed. but’ the transom leading into the hall was open. Mrs. Johnson, passing through the hall at 9 o'clock, noticed the odor of gas and tried the door to Mrs. Cof- ‘fey’s room and called to her, but there Was no response. The door was forced and she was found dead in bed. “It certainly was an accident,” said Mrs. Johnson tearfully. “The good woman thought of nothing but saying in Relle at 9 mn. -.

Was due cone- are ask if Physicinn Joined Them. the afternoon we returried to. Kennett together, oringing some whisky with us. We met several men about town, and they accepted our in- vitations to have a drink. Somewhere about 10 o’clock at night Dr. Arthur S Harrison, whom I have known well since we were boys and played ball to gether, joined the group. “Wve visited the poolrooms around town and were ordered out of one be- cause I sat on a table. When we left the poolroom Sweeney and Harrison suggested that we go to a house near the Frisco depot, where we could have a good time. This was late Friday | night. I went along and noticed as TI approached the house that it was dark. ’ " ¢ shovec When T reached the porch I was shoved her prayers ane” trvies: te ee ahead through a half open door. | heaven. And to heaven she has tcer- “T gaw at a glance that the house! tainly gone. , was deserted and attempted to step out- Mrs. Coffey had some money, on the side past Sweeney and Harrison and a interest from which she lived. ‘She third man J didn't recognize. As I did has a daughter, Mrs. Margaret Patter ao. Sweeney hit me a terrific blow on somewhere in St. Louis. with whom the head. I fell to we porch and re. She has not been on good terms be- member nothing more except that I felt cause of.property matters. as I lost consciousness that I was be-; An orphan grandson, Daniel Thom- ing jumped on. as, who lives with his aunt at 454] The present condition of Crites bears Garfield avenué, arrived at the house out this portion of his statment, his an hour after Mrs. Coffey was found head and face show marks of a fear- dead and niade arrangements to take ful beating, while there are also many charge of.the body. bruises about his waist line. One that Last Winter Mrs. extends completely across the front of dying under the the body. Prosecuting Attorney Hall be- She called for help and }frs. Johns lieves to have been inflicted by a heavy fonns the room filled with gas ane ‘timber with which the unfortynate man the jet turned on. By pri mpt meas was’ a re while the operation was ures her life was saved atythat i hyiey yerforme She she had decidenta Continuing his narrative, Mr. ly hurned tase gas OP. ™: ? said: Temple of of Republicanysm. Frank Orff, president of (ae ‘Wissour League ‘of Republican Clubs, sal today that sufficient funds had 4 sub- scribed to insure the building of & $,- 00 clubhouse on Grand avenue, to be used as a permanent home for: ‘State. city, congressional and ward organ tions. Mr. Orff asked 20 prominent publicans to contribute a. to\the buflding fund, and he says the DO were satisfactory. The new club > will & ch from the Club ‘*Later in complaint

Says He Wae Singled out. “Although I was one of five hundred he seemed to single we out as a target for his abuse.”’ said Mr. Battle David R. Francis Jr., who was called as a witness to corroborate yr Bat. tle’s statement. said he had nessed the trouble between 4 gt Ped and the policeman. es “T wis Pee Tt Francis, 1ave attende ; had I seen one so well policed as that of ng: pet ena as, Day. T must sav that 1@ police avcnts of mnystery In the case. Mrs. Hendel’s two children are at her home va Botanical avenue. Bhe” has lived with them there for about «@ month, her residence having formerly — veen at 4053 McPherson avéiue. pig. G. .Gelbart was attorhiey for . riendel in the divorce suit. He was nis attorney in the suit for damage against Mr. Kriger, foster father ot Mrs. Hendel. Tots suit was filed in the eFderal Court in Mississippi early in September. Mrs. Kriger is sald to be 8 years olde: than Mrs. Hendel, and t# reputed to be worth $200,000. damages, Hendel alleged ter Tather induced Mrs. ‘as T want him to take my boys. See | them as often as you can, ‘‘May God bless you, dear girl. the brightness you have brought my life. May your lot be happy psroperous.”’ The note for al inte and Donohue who then directs Miss to send Mrs. Hendel’s two nieces, have been living with her since thelr mother died a year ago, to their fath- er, and tells her to seJl the householc effects to meet expenses. Miss Donohue is told to keep her personal trinkets and monev left after paying the necessary expenses. Then the note says. “Mr. Kriger bas forsaken me, believ- ing the lies written to him. God for- give him (Kriger) as 1 do.’ Mrs. Hendel last July began her sul: for divorcee, charging nonsupport. The case came up for trial before Judge Sale last Wednesday. The husband, fn testifying, presented a paper which he wife had written and signed, and read: “Se Louls, Aug. 1. 190%. do hereby agree that petition No. 308 for divorce against Meyer Hende! is only A matter of form and after said petition ts granted if some agreement i arranged while suit is pa. eald petition wilt be withdrawn. will again become bis law- ful wife. That the e#atd Meyer Hendel will not contest eald petition Mor tnter- fere or molest the said Ada Hendel dur- Ing pendency of suit. ‘MRS. ADA HENDEL.” Hendel also swore that he had visit- his wife regularly during the time suit was pending, and said her. ob- in seeking the divorce was to put in a position to get property from her foster father, H. F. Kriger, wealthy resident of Greenville, Miss. that her fose- ‘Hendel to Chicage together, and that because of these visits the husband had been de- prived of his wife’s company, comfort and affection. He also charged that the divorce suit begun by Mre. Hendel July 28, a few weeks before the damage — suit was filed, was due to Kriger’s ime fluence, and he blamed the Mississippl man for having caused him the trou. ble and expense of defending the - vorce sult. : Mre. Hendel at the time dented the = allegations of ther husband's petition. - She admitted having traveléd hi com pany with’ Mr. Kriger, but said it with the full knowledge of her hue und that her feelings for Mr. Kriget were merely those of a ward for her guardian. Pe Husband Still Loves Her. Meyer B. Hendel fs employed salesman by E. Lederer at 702 Wa ton avenues. To a Post-Dispatch er Saturday he said that he still his wife. and that he was sorry she begun the divorce sean m uld never ve tathen.” he, said, Mig, Pie | act in self-defe bef me for divorce al { had to do vefore the world. his which said Ada Tiendel, ed the ject ner an” Denied Collusion Charge. hiendel, on the stand, denied had written or signed the and she denied that the suit in goud faith. She husband's statement her since the sult Mrs. that agreement, was not brought alsos.denied her that he had visited was filed. . Judee Sale took the case under ad- visement. saying that {f it were prover that the paper was genuine and that Mrs. Hendel had written and signed it the action for divoree was farcical, and that the suit would be dented. Mrs. Hendel was summoned Friday t Judge Sale’s office, and was asked t cony the agreement. She made tw copies of it in the presence of Judr and Hocace- Dyer, 288 stant Unite Attorney, who has bee Rie wife will recover her as soon as ae Sale “ates District her lawyer. These coples of the remarkable doc. nent and the original were submitted | a handwriting expert, who is said | have declared that they were writter xy the same erson. Just before midnight Friday ®. Gal) was seni to City Hospital for an ambu lance from the Hendel home, but Wher the was told that it was another physician had been ws caring fur the patient.

‘ 3 £4 ae The other phy was D ‘ pital, unconscious and unable to recognize relatives or friends. Hea? : Fe physician, Dr. E. A. Seott, after seeing her guerre: afternoon, ae 3 TO FOSTER FATHER. } In his petition for travel with him, that they had been im ae % i