July 21, 1906: Mitchell Boys to Stand by Esther

Seattle Post Intelligencer 7/21/1906 p1

Mitchell Boys to Stand by Esther

Perry and Fred Decide to Do What They Can for Their Sister.

Special to the Post-Intelligencer

PORTLAND, July 20.--Esther Mitchell, who killed her brother George at Seattle immediately after his acquittal for killing Franz Edmund Creffield, will not be friendless when she comes to face the court on the murder charge. Her brothers, Perry and Fred, who stood by George throughout his trial, have decided to do what they can for the girl. They came to Portland from Newberg today, and will probably secure employment here.

While the loss of George at Esther’s hands has been a bitter blow to them, to which it is hard to reconcile themselves, the boys have decided to stand by their unfortunate sister, and assist her in every way possible. They intend to communicate with her soon.

“Esther would not have killed George had she been herself,” said Fred tonight. “I believe Maud Creffield persuaded Esther to commit the act because she was too weak to do it herself.

Oregon Daily Journal (Portland) 7/21/1906 p8

Mysterious Note to O. V. Hurt

Father of Mrs. Maud Hurt Creffield Warned He Must Not Defend His Daughter.

Must Erect Monument To Mitchell’s Memory.

Unknown Writer Threatens That Corvallis Man Will Be “Fixed” Unless He Obeys Injunctions of the Letter.

(Special Dispatch to The Journal)

Corvallis, Or., July 21.-- Although it has been kept quiet it has at last been admitted by those who know that O. V. Hurt has received an anonymous threatening letter in regard to his defense of his daughter, Mrs. Maud Hurt Creffield. The letter said that Mr. Hurt must not aid in the defense of his daughter, and that he would be “fixed” if he did not erect a monument at the grave of George H. Mitchell.

The handwriting was apparently not disguised, and although it was mailed in Portland there is no clue as to the writer.

Perry Mitchell, who was in Corvallis this week, took the epistle to Portland with him and there it was compared with the letter received by Mrs. Burgess Starr from an anonymous writer, but it was not apparent that the writers were not the same person.

Ever since the murder of George Mitchell by Esther Mitchell friends have cautioned Mr. Hurt to be on the watch lest harm befall him from some other inspired follower of the Creffield faith. With such fanaticism still alive in the hearts of a few faithful, there are many here who voice the opinion that Rollerism is not yet done with.

Mr. Hurt, while harassed and worried by his many unusual troubles, is apparently but little disturbed by this attack.