ORPET CASE IS
VERY PERPLEXING
Mark of Suicide and Murder
Become Substantially
as One
Waukegan. 111., July 28. The case
of Marlon Lambert arid William H.
Orpet In the course of its develop
ment became one of the most perplex
ing in the annals of criminal history,
■yotlve paralleled motive, action
action, opportunity parallel
ed opportunity until the marks of
murder and suicide become substan
tially as one.
1 In the end the guilt or innocence
of the defendant, so far as the adduc
tion of actual fact was concerned went
to the Jury on the mystifying niceties
of chemical analysis and Orpet's own
compromising conduct. The mystery
attracted unusual interest in all parts
of the United States and Canada.
Trial of the case including selection
.-f a jury occupied the better part of
twe months. There appeared in evi
dence forty-four letters written oy
Oipet to Marion over a period of a
year; bottles and boxes containing
samples of cyanide from the McCor
mlck estate, from the Deerfield high
school laboratory, from Kraft's drug
store at Lake Forest and white powder
scraped from Marion's hand and from
spots on her cloak; the girl's gar
nunts; a magazine article dealing
with the use of cyanide as a fumigator
in greenhouses; the chemistry text
books used respectively by the high
school girl and the college student, a
copy of the Wisconsin statute dealing
with the sale of poisons, and a bottle
of molasses and water.
Long Array of Witnesses
Five chemists, all of whom were
specialists in texicology, one alienist,
two surveyors, druggists, street car
men. an undertaker, school teachers,
police officers, reporters and friends
of the Orpets and Lamberts were
among the long array or witnesses
who testified.
Ralph W. Dadv. State's attorney of
Lake county; David R. Joslyn, State's
attorney of McHenry county and
Eugene M. Runyard appeared as coun
sel for the prosecution, and James H.
Wilkerson, former United States dis
trict attorney at Chicago, Ralph F.
Potter, his law partner, and Leslie P.
Hanna. of Waukegan, for the defense.
More than a thousand veniremen were
examined before a jury, said by coun
sel upon its selection to be above the
average in intelligence and character,
was chosen. Judge Charles H. Don
nelly, presided.
The series of parallels started at
Lake Forest, one of a series of aristo
cratic suburbs dotting the heavily
wooded bluffs along the west shore of
Lake Michigan from Chicago to
Waukegan, for Frank Lambert, father
of Marion, was superintendent of the
Kuppenheimer estate, and Edward O.
Orpet, father of the defendant, super
intendent of the estate of Cyrus Mc-
Cormick, both at Lake Forest.
Last summer, young Orpet. then a
pallid, slender youth of nineteen, of
sharply regular features, somewhat
vj;in of his college opportunities and
undisciplined as to character, returned
from the University of Wisconsin at
Madison for a vacatiqn at home. He
fell madly in love with Marion, ac
cording to his letters. She had com
pleted her junior year at the Deerfield
High school and was then seventeen
anci known for her gaiety and laugh
ter—"the life of the party," as one
witness put it.
She Saved His Letters
When Orpet returned to college in
the Fall of 1915 frequent letters were
exchanged. Orpet destroyed hers;
she saved his and they remained alter
her death to speak of the great fear
of exposure that came upon her.
Orpet, in testifying, said that he was
certain that these fears were ground
less. Once he mailed her a bottle of
molasses and water "to ease her
ir.lnd" and he brought a similar com
pound with him for the same purpose
when he entered Helm's woods, near
Lake Forest, with her on the morning
of Wednesday, February 9, last.
Orpet testified that 'he made the
trip to allay her fears and to explain
a story which had reached Marion
that he was engaged to one Celestia
Youker, but the elaborate efforts
which he made to keep the trip secret
and his subsequent conflicting state
ments of it to officers of the law de
veloped into the most damaging evi
dence against him. It led to the
menacing question of Mr. Joslyn.
reiterated again and again: "Why?
Why? Why? Why did you come? You
brought no relief; you brought no
medicine: you brought r.o tenderness
—no words of love! Why did you
come?"
On February 8, Orpet at Madison
left three letters, post-dated February
9 with his friend Otto Peterson to be
mailed on the latter date, one was
to his mother, one to Marion, and
the third to Marion's friend Josephine
Davis. They were worded to make
it appear that the writer was in. Madi
son on February 9. the day Tie kept
his tryst in the woods with Marion,
and sha came to her death.
Writes Alibi Letters
Orpet explained on the stand that
the alibi letters, as they came to be
known, were written so that if by ac
cident he were seen at Lake Forest
find word of the fact reached Marion's
parents, who objected to him, or his
own parents, who expected him to re
main faithful to college duties at
Madison, they would accept the let
ters as conclusive evidence to the con
trary The letter to Josephine was to
corroborate that to Marion. Josephine
testified that she never received it.
On the afternoon of the eighth, in
a dark overcoat which he said he had
borrowed to wear with a dress suit to
a party which he expected to attend
on the twelfth, carrying the bottle of
molasses and water in his pocket, and
Having behind him the alibi letters
and a bed rumpled to deceive his
landlady, the student proceeded by
way of Milwaukee, where he spent a
half hour or so between trains, to Lake
Forest. Arriving there he arranged
by telephone to meet Marlon on her
way to school the next morning,
walked about for a while to make cer
tain that his parents had retired, and
entered the McCormick garage where
he spent the night on a cot.
In the morning he and Marlon met
and walked through the snow into the
v. oods. Orpet testified that there was
little conversation, and he could recol
lect only the purport of it. He offered
her the "medicine" and she refused it.
He started to leave but she called him
back and asked if he was going to
write to her any more. He said there
seemed to be no use of it, and started
awav again.
"Something made me look around
I don't know what—and I saw Marion
lying in the snow," related the de
fendant on the stand. "I returned,
kneeled over her for maybe a minute.
[ noticed the moist powder in the lines
of her hand. Her eyes were glazed.
Then a kind of fog came on my brain
ane; I don't remember much after that
except that on reaching the road T
threw away the 'medicine' and made
my way on foot to Highland Park,
caught a train, and that evening ar
rived back at Madison."
Marion was missed that night and
her body found, the next morning.
Orpet was arrested and told numerous
conflicting stories prior to the trial,
these being used against him at the
trial. During his cross-examination
which lasted for three days he re
pratedly to"k refuge in "1 den't re
jnember." He spoke In a low voic^
FRIDAY EVENING,
4 JSjoamanX 4
1 * 1 . ■
nIO9I—UNITED s HAKRISHIftG. FRIDAY, JULY 2R. 11)10. FOUNDED ISTI
—~— Dress Fabrics "
Telephone } our tf ants Four days of the greatest value giving in Harrisburg this season. Genuine, undis
to This Store For Prompt At Loic Prices Have a Wide puted savings on good, desirable merchandise.
Attention. a l
Moving Pictures of the Cream Corduroy, mixed suitings, Summer House Cleaning Sale. Every last dollar's worth would pass out right now for a
Bowman Store Picnic will cloths! 8 ! sTc. p ° plar dollar. No better could we illustrate the fine character of the merchandise.
be shown again to-night at Satta Foulards, in strip,, ana «t True, many are broken in size range or color or whatever the case may be which
the Victoria Theater. figures; also plain messalines; 20 . _ , .1 . /~v i ,/•
inches wide. Sale price, yd., 25*. justihes a reduction ot One-fourth to One-half.
——————————i——— Satin finish Striped Wash Silks, Ti . . 1 1 j • 1 r . . „
32 inches wide- Sale price, yd., 59c. 1 " e most to be emphasized is the importance of a visit to-morrow open until 9
kJCTLs Lisl tvv UZ7Is Wash Silks, 33 inches wide. Sale
Sale Prices on Batiste price, yd
Flouncing, of Quality JS? These Sale 9/7
27 inches wide, will go out at the and lilac; 36 and 40 inches wide. /iTC
first price, and naturally the latter Sale price, yd., o9*. ITGTTTS V(5 O „ 1 1 A 1
price must buy a much wider pat- Sport Stripe Beach Cloths, stripes IRQ (Jfl A WOLfCI
tern; these being 40 inches. Excel- in all shades; 36 inches wide. Sale A J.J. J- *
lent patterns price, yd , 19c. AItTCLCWIg Women's Coats
BOWMAN'S—Main Floor BOWMAN' S—Main Floor TT U CII ° OUala
O '/ 'L _ Coats in the season's best styles, and some fine, exclusive models
Women's Sample Hosiery Fourth Floor *"wSTwir
A Sale Feature at —Coats for Motoring.
? Q/> f Bozart Rugs — Coats for Sports W ear.
6VL Pr . -have no equal for the porch or —Coats for Dress.
summer floor coverings. ; , '
A manufacturer's sample lot of various styles; good qualities in A pleasing collection of those fabrics most popular this season.
TWO COLORS r, j rai
—Lisle and silk lisle 6x9 ft Sale price $3 95i Crepe de Chine Blouses
—Fibre silk 8.3x10.6 ft. Sale price, $6.95. A clearance of colored blouses in this summer's styles and
—Thread silk boot * 9x12 * t- ale P" ce > #8.50. shades; to go at these loiv prices:
In the assortment are black, white and colors. THREE COLORS $1.79, $2.59
Women's plain black hose, silk lisle, double soles; wide garter tops; o^ 9 cvi"' 0 - Durable qualities; everyone having sold for considerable more,
seconds. Sale price, pr., 21<». ® , f Included is a small lot of pussy willow blouses.
BOWMAN'S— Main Floor. it. &aie price, sp .«> . Flesh color; light shades; and some desirable deep shades.
— _ Fibre Carpet, 29c yd. House Dresses, 49c
« • yt 1 ■» tit With borders; patterns on both Small lot, but contains a sufficient number for good selection; ging-
Hnrcrnins HfIVP rxPnrhPn hlnnn Sides; color and water proof; 27 hams in medium and light patterns.
LJLU 11U,W IVGUsUILCU I LUUU inches wide. Qther lots of the better grade house dresses in pereale and lawn;
Stage in the Basement V- " d
m R» • / J • rrti T 7• . t fast; 27x54 inches. A collection of smart little summery frocks made of good wash
The Basement is a sea of bargains. The merchandise is of a materials, to go out at
splendid character placed ivithin the reach of economical buyers , ammoc 8 > * • $1.98 and $2.98
r ' J i With box spring mattress; heavy T££ i. 15 «■ *
by the low Pre-Inventory prices. khaki duck ends and wind shield. 1 afteta Petticoats
American Fibre Water Pails, for Pie Casserole, 10-inch fire proof Lace Curtains R.OiUUC6cf
general utility; very serviceable. baking dish in extra quality nickel One and two pair of a kind, white Unusual values in taffeta in view of the qualities at the sale prices;
Sale price, 23c. N plated brass receptacle. Sale price or ecr u; at one-half former prices. plain shades and changeable effects. Clearing at
German China Sugar Baskets, 59<>. ' Sale price, to $3.50. $1.98, $2.98, $3.98
marmalade jars, spoon trays, chop O-So-Ezy Oil and Dust Mops— Curtain Comers 29c
plates, cake plates, nut bowls, and 2 mops in one. A very special bar- Untrimmed hats, including every kind of shape; our en
salad bowls. Sale price, t>9C. „ a ; n gale once In Nottingham, marquisette, lace, . , ~ . , , 0 T .
The Household Food Chopper, & Wearever Aluminum Sauce Pans. \ scrim an< i net in whit« and ecru. tire Stock of highest grades. Sale price, 7DC.
complete with five steel cutters. Sale 2 -qt. capacity. Sale price, Brass Curtain RnrJs Trimmed hats, including all our summer straws and best
price, 590. American Cut Glass Assortment, TeWone- inrh« i«n». .lirtf models. Sale price, SI.OO and $2.00.
Flow Blue Decorated Souvenir consisting of 12-inch vases, 12-inch Telescope, 50 inches long, slight-
Plates, made of English porcelain. celery trays, 14-inch bread trays, t?rni shed. Sale price, 3 for 10?. Saturday and Monday Are Inspection Days
Sale price, 10c. fancy bowls, 14-inch carnation vases, BOWMAN S— Fourth Floor ______
Aluminum Coffee Percolator, oc- sugar and cream sets, 8-inch bowls,
U ' ic4 " r~7777 Plain R f,r'^ anCy Muelinwear Reduced
48 Auto Caps Will rviooons Women's Fine Gowns, of sheer naln
r + n • r\ n \r J Jr- f-» o iai.t* Moires, taffetas, plaids and stripes; 6 sook and line batiste, in flesh and white;
Lowest rrices Un Domestics deeded Every Day opeed About lown Inches wide. Excellent quality. prettily trimmed with line lace, insertion,
embroidery, heading and medallion; low
Embroidered Scalloped Pillow Unbleached Muslin, 39 inches The very cap you may have 19c yd. Price S, '° rt Blccves; sUehtly o .^
Cases, made of Pequot tubing; 45 wide; remnant lengths; even, round admired; now reduced to BOWMAN'S— Main Floor Camisoles, of *loU silk, crepe de chine
x 36 inches. Sale price, pr., 59c. thread. Sale price, yd., 5%5. an<l uashub,e satin: lace and insettion
Bolsters to match, 42x72 inches, at Cretonnes, in mostly light pat- OUC Little ThinffS at handling: Sai^Pru" 1 *. 5 .. ."."ff??..
75c. terns; 26 inches wide. Sale price, _ , , . , i «..i r* • BOWMAN'S— Third Floor
Unbleached Pillow Cases, made yd., 6'4*. Take y° UT cholce of 48 at " Little Prices
of good quality muslin; 45x36 Unbleached Sheeting, 81 inches tractive styles. Machine oil, bottle 2e -
inches; 3-inch hem. Sale price. 10? »Ide; will bleach easily; even, round BOWMAN'S Main P,.„r odd h-rptoj Substantial
each. thread. Sale price, yd., 20$. 1- Xarro-ne<-k hair box 5c
Ventilating hair wavers, card, .. 15c
BOWMAN'S—Certain of Women's tt. : I So A J, ffJJ (J /
BOWMAN'S —Main Floor AM. PvO p
Gloves Are Going
Pre-Inventory Shoes \o^?am P tow a Furniture Sale
Are Lower In Price Than at Any Time T , , , ® * Wc have a number of Baby Walkers
Kayser S 2-clasp Silk Gloves, in to he disposed of during: tlic .sale at $1.19
Women's high grade Pumps, Women's Pumps, with turn plain white and contrasting; all S i Z c° y s^" Ut ric l e a s'7» ,mki Tcnts; KO<xl August Ist to 31 st
with hand turned soles. A re- soles and Louis heels; black and sizes. Sale price, pr., S 'Hammock chairs.'* sale prices, sl.lO
markable bargain. Sale price, black with gray kid tops. Sale Kayser's 8, 12 and 16-button an<l vs_s - exposition of the most worthy
$3.75. price, $1.98. length Silk Gloves. Sale price, pr., '' e '°" ° r furniture from world-famed furni-
Women's White Shoes, higji Whittemore's Bostonian Cream SI.OO and $1.25. _ . ture mar kets.
and low; sizes 2 y 2 to 5%. Sale for cleansing all kinds and colors Kayser's Chamoisette Gloves, 2- Dave on Kelts
price, 75C. of shoes. Sale price, 19e. clasp, in plain white and contrasting Small lot of Women's Belts, various r A Savins on Practically
emhroirierv ■ all sizes Sale nrtre nr styles, some slightly soiled, on sale at 15c. v j
BOWMAN'S—Main Floor. emDroiaery, ail sizes, aaie price, pr., Fwicy Leather Belts, in good styles.
4 saic price, 35c. , Every Line
I BuWMAN'S —Main Floor BOWMAN'S—Main Floor
with apparently studied effort, but
nevertheless became involved at times
and extricated himself by "correcting
my previous testimony." His manner
was nervous, and he rarely looked at
his inquisitor. Attorney Joslyn.
Obtained I'otasßlum
Early in the case the State developed
the theory that Orpet purchased a
two-ounce bottle from Charles Hass
inger, a friend employed in a drug
store at Madison, obtained cyanide of
potassium from an alleged supply in
the greenhouse on the McCormlck
Fftate, and made a solution of it be
fore retiring to bed in the garage. It
war. charged that he either forced
Marion to take it, or deceived heri
with the explanation that it was medi- j
cine.
The State was unable to persuade
any witness to come from Wisconsin,
and repeatedly hinted that a sinister
influence of the defense was at the
bottom of it. Hassinger, wanted with
reference to the bottle, was among
those- who declined to testify, and no
bottle or other container for the
poison was ever found. Otto Peterson
likewise becalne a persistent absentee, !
despite the need for his testimony re- 1
nasdiag the alibi letters and as hav-1
HARRISBURG TELEGRAPH
iiiK seen Orpet, according to the latter,
concoct the molasses and water.
Dr. Ralph W. Webster and Dr. W.
J. McNally, chemists, testified for the
State that Marion died of liquid
cyanide of potassium, and that the
spots on her coat were left by drops
of the solution. Three defense chemists
testified that the poison was taken in
powder form and that the Important
and accusatory cyanide in the green
house was not cyanide of potassium
at all, but cyanide of sodium, with
only a faint trace of potassium. Dr.
McNally, having made further ex
periments, voluntarily appeared for
1 the defense and corrected his previous
testimony to agree with tlfat of the
! defense, and Dr. Webster, recalled by
the State, did so In reply to a hypo
thetical question on cross-examination.
It was shown further without con
i tiadictlon by every chemist who had
I a hand in the examination of Marion's
stomach content that cyanide ol
potassium caused her death. Only an
inconsequent trace of sodium ap
peared. When It was shown In ad-
I dition that to have taken in the
amount of cyanide of potassium found
iln her stomach, Marlon would have to
JULY 28, 1916.
eaten two pounds of the substance in
the greenhouse, or to have drunk two
quarts of a solution made rrom it, it
was admitted generally that this sub
stance as the instrument of death had
disappeared from the case.
The fact that young urpet might
have obtained the greenhouse cyanide
had its parallel in the laboratory of
the Deerfield High School attended by
Marion. The instrument of muraer
and the instrument of suicide were
, equally available. The laboratory
I substance was 97 per cent, pure
I cyanide of potassium. Marlon, on tbe
day before her death, was alone in the
laboratory out of hours In violation of
I a school rule.
BELL-ANS
Absolutely Removes
Indigestion. One package
j proves it. 25c at all druggists.
3