St. Louis Post-Dispatch
March 5, 1915

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. GURL KILLS SELF Virginius Mavo, New Haven Manufacturer, Kept Up "Two Homes, One in Brooklyn for Former Em- ploye Who Was Mother of His Children. WIFE KNEW. OF THE OTHER WOMAN He Denies Young Typist Whose Body Was Found on Lonely Mountain Was implicated in His Tangled Affairs. By a Staff Correspondent of the New York World and Post-Dispatch. NEW HAVEN, Conn., March 5.—Lilian May Cook’s death by her own hand on West Rock, a lonely mountain top four miles from this city, revealed to an astonished community that her em- ployer, Virginius J. Mayo, a wealthy manufacturer of New Haven, has for four years been leading a double life. ‘ He has been maintaining a costly ‘home on Dixwell avenue, this city, with a middle-aged, childless wife, and at “ the same time has been keeping up 2 still more expensive home at 546 Fourth street, Brooklyn, with a younger and attractive woman, who is the mother of his two children. Thefe he was known as James Dudley; the mistress of the establishment as Mrs. Lois Dudley. And in the tangle of lives, brought to light by this death, the facts stand ou: ldAllian May Cook, who was 19 years old, met Mayo in Brooklyn, knowing him first as Dudley. He employed her there to take care of his babies. That was about two years ago. A year ago he brought her here to be one of the typists in the big Mayo Radiator Co., of = gvhich he wag the head. So she knew him here as Mayo. Her parents, it is knew him in Brodkliyn, knew him und | they made no objection to their _ Satghter leaving bome to work for him. ' The .real Mrs. Mayo for ‘nearly four years. has known of her. husband's double existence. Before that she knew the girl who calls herself Mra. Dudicy and watched her grow up from child- hood. Yet the legal wife has tolerated the double establishment and never has beén separated from her husband. | All of Women Knew. Mré. Didley,'a strikingly good-looking younk woman of 23, was taken into the Mayo Radiator Co.’s offices just as Lil- lian May Cook’ was, by Mayo himself, as a stenographer. She knew, it is al- leged, Mayo was taking thé other gir! to New Haven from Brooklyn, but she made no protest. She was Lois Water- bury of this ‘city before she took the name of Dudley. - .- ' And so there is a wife, apparently con- tent; an inamorata and an odd little girl (for Lillian May Cook was all of that), who knew about the twisted skeins of the mian’s affections, and kepi silent, suffering under some sorrow of her own, until she ended everything by taking her life. - At the beginning it may be said that there is nothing against the reputation of little Mies Cook. A superficial ex- amination of her body by the County Medical Examiner,. Dr. Marvin Scar- brough, revealed no physical reason why she should have done away with her- self. An autopsy will be performed un- der the direction of Coroner Eli Mix and this question will be positively set- tied. Just why Miss Cook killed herself can- not be told exactly. She has been brood- ing and despondent almost from the very time she came here. Was it be- cause of her keeping of Mayo’s secret? No one/can say. Was she involved in his life, too? That cannot be answered. But certainly there was no other man in her life here—a life that was made up of work, study and a rather cheerless existence in a Young Woman's Chris- tlan Association room. | .- ad Found the Body. A iad wandering about the summit of West Rock, a great stony mountain near this city, came across the girl's oe . body yesterday afternoon. She had been missing exactly a week to the hour. ‘The wound and the revolver lying be- heath the body made it appear quite cer- tain that she had ended her life, as she vanished, for on ‘last Thursday she on. a up all her little trinkets, put . them tn a fancy box and left with them, wry ig, "Please send them to my moth- first persons to gaze upon was funder both names, and, tt is also, se ye songs —. . sag ' ee sie aaky RO ae ee ee ‘ here ‘ . BY 6. Ft ate a aS ag oi ea : 2 pe “ 4 a ‘ * a. a r bit ng +: Sh: Seam oN s re eae f eo pd ie iv , : oy as ay Md Fa a~ + ¥ Biss % “ wat ae aS a ¥. z S ay * Bk, san oo, . : ‘ . oF : Cae ; e MaSG « “ Rip min a PCa whee ee Se, Rat Ce aie fo. Pa ees * Se ey Pak Cee nge, = mre Ae ae . “ss % ery Sa ees ae we ; ee y ‘ es bi ee te, as iy Shae Ms 2 t ta ae Pee . : 3 es Y eee he : vt > , ’ y . * iy A : ings * - ce " % ‘ ‘ ; 4 2 fe * y 3 ¢ : Press News D Service. “VOL. 67. NO. 197. BACK CASHED $500 CHECK - WITH FORGED INDORSEMENT Sigmund Baer’s Name Signed to Paper Repre- senting Contribution by Mrs. William Barr to Jewish Charities. Gua The immediate reason why a number of influential St. Louis men gave Jacques Back, editor of the American Jew, sum- mary notice to leave town, developed \today, when it was learned that Back cashed a check for $500, to which the indorsement of Sigmund Baer, secretary of the Stix, Baer &-~ Fuller Dry Goods Co. and treasurer cof the Associated Jewish Charities, had been forged. The check was. genuine and was made out by Mrs. Willlam Barr of New York as her contribution to the work of the Jewish charities here. It was drawn on the State National Bank and was maiie payable to Baer as treasurer of the charities, but was sent to Back, who had solicited the contribution. The check was presented by Back at the National Bank of Commerce for payment, bearing a signature which purported to be Baer’s indorsement. An Si he A A TT. eT | | ,employe of the bank asked Baer, by telephone, whether he had signed the check. He replied that he had not signed it, but did not ask that the check be held, so it was returned to Back. It was later cashed at the Mechanics- American. When the check reached the State Na- tional Bank, two weeks ago, through the Clearing House, the signature was questioned, and investigation showed that the indorsement was not genuine. When the facts were reported to Baer, leading supporters of the Jewish char- ities are said to have met and discussed Back’s case. While some are said to have favored more radical action, it was decided that the departure of Back from St. Louis would suffice. So Back was told that he must leave St. Louis or face prosecution and he went imme- diately. Mrs. Back is still at her home, 5896. Cates avenue. (ate © anaes cae ee oe ee SLIGHTLY CLOUDY TONIGHT WITH DROP IN TEMPERATURE THE TEMPERATURES. Official fore- cast for St. Louis ang vicin- ity: Slightiy cloudy weather tonight and to- morrow; colder tonight, with the lowest tem- peraturq about 28, Missouri—Prob- ably snow flurries in north tonight and Saturday; slightly colder to- night. . Illinois — Snow in northern and ,entral portions to- night; partly cloudy and colder in south tonight; Saturday, unset- flurries in north; colder in south. HOUSE THAT. SHELTERED LAST OF PILGRIM FATHERS TO BE SOLD Structure at Piymouth, Mass., Was Built in 1666 by Son of May- flower Voyager. PLYMOUTH, Mass., March 5.—The only. remaining. house in America which has sheltered persons who came here on the Mayflower in 1620 is to be sold at auction next month by ordér of the court, ; 7 The house was built in 1666 by a son of John Howland, the last Mayflower survivor, and it is assumed that the elder Howland was a caller at the son's house.. In course of time the building fell into decay, but upon the organiza- tion of the “Society of the Descendants of Pilgrim John Howland of the Ship Mayflower,”’ the property was acquired and restored. Through the society's failure to satis- fy a note a judgment against the or- ganization was obtained. The court or- der for the sale of the property fol- lowed. HUNTERS MERELY WATCH DUCKS Alton Men Follow Annual Custom, but -Are Forbidden to Shoot. A party of five Alton hunters made their annual hunting trip to the “‘Glades’’ above Alton Thursday, but they did not kill any ducks owing to the new Govern- ment game law. ‘ They took along their guns as usual but spent the day looking about the island and watching the ducks as a matter of keeping up their old custom of visiting the island annually on March 4 for a duck hunt. They are Chris Seger, James Corbett, E. M. Gaddis, Dr. J. B. Hastings and E4 Beall. ¥ " First Aid to Trade | HE. advertising. of the local merchants placed Thursday in the Post- Dispatch exceeded the combined total of its three nearest competitors by 18 cols. Surely this is an evidence of satisfied “ advertisers. THE FIGURES: Post-Dispatch, 88 cols. Glebe-Democrat, Re- public an Times 70 66 combined . Giicolation Last Week: | Daily, 332%%,...181,912 fFunday... tled, with snow. FORMER MANAGER OF ARTHUR HOTEL ENDS WIS. LIFE Body of A. H. Barton Found in Room in the Portland With Bullet Through Heart. Harry A. Barton, proprietor and man- ager until Wednesday of the Arthur Hotel, Berlin avenue and Skinker road, was found dead in a room at the Port- land oHtel at noon today with a bullet through his heart and with a revolver, one chamber of which was empty, be- side him. He had registered as ‘Dr. H. A. Barton, San Francisco.’’ He was last seen alive: at 5 o'clock yesterday after- noon.by a negro waiter. He had been dead; the police thought, since some time last night. The body was identified at the morgue by F. B. Rothschild of 6181 Washington boulevard, who had known him for sev- éral years, and who was sent to view the body by Barton’s wife, Mrs. Emily P. Barton, who, he said, is in the hay and grain business, u1dér a firm name which he did not remember, in the Pierce Building. ' Barton and his wife. sold the Arthur Hotel, a bachelor apartment, last Wednesday, it was said there, and had removed to 6128 Waterman avenue, the home of a friend, Mrs. Barton could not be seen, sending down word that she was ill, that she knew no reason why her husband should kill himself, and that she declined to discuss the reasons for selling the hotel. The wom- an who delivered her message said Mrs. Barton was prostrated over the tragedy. Rothschild said that he could con- ceive no motive for Barton’s death, as his home life was harmonious, his af- fairs, so far as he knew, in good con- dition, and his habits temperate. In his pocket was a card of J. R. McKenna, with telephone number, Forest 7953W. McKenna said that he met a man about four nights ago who gave his name as H. A. Barton, and who said he was not a physician but a veterinarian. On another card was a note of intro- duction from William Van Sickle, an agent of the Markham Insurance Co., to his brother, George C. Van Sickle, surgeon of the first class of the United States Hospital Corps. It read: ‘‘Bra George, This will introduce my friend, H. A. Barton.’’ There was also a receipt made out to ar insurance company on Dec. 23, 1914, acknowledging the payment of $225 by the Ocean Accident and Guarantee Co. and releasing the company from further claims for an accident said to have oc- curred to Barton in the Arthur Apart- ments. The receipt was signed by H. A. Barton and by his wife, Emily P. Bar- ton. On another card were the words ‘‘H. A. Barton, salesman, Terre Haute Brewing Co.,’’ and another showed him to be a member of the Americus (Ga.) branch of Elks. There were 97 cents in his pockets. MAN TOO TIMID, SO FRIEND REPORTS ROBBERY TO POLICE Big Man Who Stays Outside Station Fing}iy Coaxed Inside to Tell of Holdup. An undersized man approached the Desk Sergeant in Central District Po- dice Station at 5 o’clock this morning and said he wanted to report a robbery. Asked his name, he replied he was not the person robbed but that he wished to make the report for a man who was too timid to speak for kimeself. “Where is he?” asked the Desk Ser- geant. ‘“‘Outside,” the visitor said. “He's a bashful fellow, though, and he's afraid of a policeman. I had a hard time get- ting him to come this far, but I'll try to coax him in.” The litle man left the station and re- turned a few minutes later followed by a tall, heavy set man of 50, who mopped his face in an embarrassed way. “Why didn't you report this earlier?’ asked the Desk Sergeant after the big man hag given his name and address as how two men had robbed him of $17 at Eighth and, Market streets about 1 a. m. “Tt was afraid you wouldn’t want to be bothered with such he- answered, oy ts nd fe Harvey Kurtz, Atlantic Hotel, and told: +) om “omen | ST. LOUIS, FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH :5, 1915—20 PAGES. . ecieemnar en ern WENNEKER WENT WEST; LEFT Hs WIFE PENNILESS ‘‘Broken-Hearted,”’ Said Note to Her, Mailed at Union Station, on His Departure. “ON WAY TO FRISCO FAIR” Men Who Met Retired Head of Candy Firm on Train Say He Gave That as Destination. Mrs. Charles F. Wenneker of 5333 Ber- lin avenue, when told today that a Post- Dispatch reporter had learned that her husband had been seen Wednesday on a westbound Missouri Pacific train and had told friends he was on his way to the San Francisco fair, announced she was virtually penniless and would break up housekeeping and go to live with her daughter, Mrs. Raleigh E. Sisson, at 5782 De Giverville avenue. This was the first definite word Mrs. Wenneker had had about her husband since 8 p. m. Tuesday, when he packed two traveling bags and departed sud- denly, telling her he was going away for his health and would write her as eoon as he determined where he was &£0ing. She said she never saw him *ppear more downhearted than when he left, and in a note mailed at Union Station he told her not to worry and signed himself ‘‘Your broken-hearted husband.” Didn’t Leave Money at Home. Mrs. Wenneker said she knew her husband had lost his position as pres- ident of the Blanke-Wenneker Candy Co., 606-616 Market street, but that she did not question him about busi- ness affairs, as he never confided them to her. She said he did not leave her any money when he went away, and she did not know the condition of his finances. It has become known that Wenneker’s affairs had become badly involved in his financial management of the candy firm. This was learned, it was said, while Wenneker was in the Baptist Hospital last November and December with a leg broken in a fall in getting out of an automobile. During that time J. B. Farmer of 5320 Vernon avenue had assumed direction of the candy firm, he having theretofore confined his duties to those of vice-president. When Wenneker left the hospital, the week before Christmas, he encountered considerable unpleasantness upon his return to his office. This business dis- agreement, it was said, led to Wenne- ker’s retirement from the presidency, and to the election of Farmer ag his successor. Wife Notes Change in Him. Mrs. Wenneker today told the report- er her husband had not been the same man since he got out of the hospital. At one time, Mrs. .Wenneker said, she asked: ‘‘Charlie, why don’t you settle down around home; you don’t seem to be the same man since you got hurt. ’ She said her husband replied, “I know it,” without any further explanation. She expressed considerable relief when informed her husband had been seen cn the Missouri Pacific train. “I haa heard so many different reports,’’ she said. “Some of them had him going East, some to Texas, and others that he had been seen in St. Louis last night.’’ A Post-Dispatch reporter, investigat- ing Wenneker’s sudden and unexplained departure, learned he purchased a ticket for San Francisco and boarded a west- tound Missouri Pacific train which left Union Station at 9 a. m. Wednesday. Before leaving he purchased a travelers’ insurance slip and mailed it to his wife. Seen on California Car. He sat in the smoking room of a through California Pullman car and talked with City Counselor Baird; Henry A. Kersting of 3511 Wyoming street, lawyer and président of the German- American Alliance, and with George Donovan of the Missouri Pacific’s legal department. In the presence of these three men Wenneker announced he was going to the Frisco Fair on a flying trip to put a man in charge of his candy firm’s exhibit there, which had been ne- glected by the man previously in charge. Baird even looked at Wenneker’s ticket, which was about three feet long—*‘‘en- tirely too long,’ as Wenneker expressed it. Baird, Kersting ayd Donovan left the train at Jefferson City. Kersting and Donovan told a Post-Dispatch re- porter Wenneker seemed in the hap- plest mind, discussed currént affairs and, in passing Hull’s Lake, near Val- ley Park, said he intended fishing there when he returned. They said he told them he intended to return quickly. Tells of His Movements. “Mrs. Wenneker was confident today she would get a post card or letter from her husband soon. “He wanted to send me a night letter,” she said, “but I told him to drop a card. , “Mr. Wenneker came home Tuesday afternoon,”’ she said, in relating hig movements prior to his sudden depart- ure. “He told me he was going away somewhere for his health, and did not know just where he would go, but woula write me. He wanted to know if I] would join him, wherever he went. I eaid I would and [I helped pack his grips. John, a negro, came at 8 o'clock for the grips and took them away. “Mr. Wenneker telephoned our daughter and told her good-by, that he was going on a trip. Then he went, away.on a.street car, and I rr PRICE ONE CENT Oe Map Sh ———_ =: ; . awe we ee | $e ye, ve ag a We -) ae a ots oe Me «4 i. ae Se