DOUBLE CRIME

LAID TO WIFE

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TWO BODIES FOUND AT G.H. SIMMS HOME

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Jealous Woman Shot Husband on Christmas Night, Then Turned Revolver on Self, Evi-dence in Case Shows.

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A double Christmas tragedy in Bend was revealed yesterday morning when the bodies of Mr. and Mrs. George H. Simms were found, each with a bullet hole in the left side of the head, at the Simms home near the mill trestle. Mrs. Simms’ left hand was frozen tight about the handle of the .32 Colt six-shooter with which she had killed her husband and then ended her own life. A holster strapped to her left leg showed how she had carried her weapon to bed without exciting her husband’s suspicions.

There was no sign of any struggle having taken place, the woman having apparently waited until Simms fell asleep before firing the fatal shot. A frozen stream of blood led from the head of the bed to a corner of the room.

Christmas Picked for Tragedy.

In the kitchen a partly devoured Christmas turkey and unwashed dishes fixed the probable date of the tragedy as Christmas night. This evidence was strengthened by the finding of a rent receipt dated December 24, and a Portland paper of the same date.

Discovery of the crime was made at 11 o’clock in the morning, when Roy Bergren, son-in-law of Mrs. Simms, after visiting the house on successive days and finding no signs of life, took the case to the local authorities. With Chief of Police L. A. W. Nixon he entered the dwelling and shortly afterward Sheriff S. E. Roberts and Dr. R. W. Hendershott inspected the bodies, concurring in the opinion that a murder and suicide was the history of the case.

Under the supervision of District Attorney H. H. De Armond and Acting Coroner J. A. Eastes, a jury composed of M. Kroeger, foreman, and Maurice Cashman, John L. Garske, James N. Roberts, R. P. Minter and Tom Carlon visited the premises yesterday afternoon, convening immediately afterward in Judge Eastes’ offices for examination of witnesses.

Woman Was Jealous.

Bergren, Mrs. Simms’ son in law, testified that he believed jealousy to be the motive back of the crime. He said that his mother in law, aged 45, and 13 years her husband’s senior, imagined that women in the neighborhood were trying to alienate Simms’ affections. In this statement, Bergren was upheld by Chief Nixon, both declaring, however, that there was no basis for the wife’s suspicions. The last time at which Mr. and Mrs. Simms had been seen alive, as far as Bergren knew, was on Christmas day, when Mrs. Bergren visited their home, exchanging gifts with them.

The jury, after a brief deliberation, returned a double verdict of death by gunshot wound, inflicted in each case by Mrs. Simms.

The couple had been residents of Bend since October, having been married in Arizona only last June.

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CHARLIE OLSON IS

IN BEND FOR BOUT

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Gustavo to Return Shortly from the Willamette Valley and Sign with Northwest Grappler.

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Preliminary arrangements for a wrestling match in Bend between Charlie Olson, claiming the northwest middleweight championship, and Ad Gustavo of Bend were made yesterday when Olson arrived here ready to take on the local grappler. Gustavo is no in Astoria, but he was wired to return here at once and is expected within the next two days to arrive here to sign up with Olson.

A further chance for Gustavo to continue his climb into fast company was made known this morning when his manager, Tom Carlon, received a telegram from Walter Miller of San Francisco challenging the Bend wrestler to a finish bout. Miller is a claimant to coast middleweight honors.

TRANSPORT IS

OUT OF DANGER

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SOLDIERS COOL WHEN SHIP GROUNDED.

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Men on Board Northern Pacific First Thought They Had Docked, Then Were “Interested” In Situation.

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(By United Press to The Bend Bulletin.)

FIRE ISLAND, N.Y., Jan. 2 – Four soldiers were brought ashore from the stranded transport Northern pacific by coast guards in a small boat after a perilous trip through the surf to the transport. Private Albert Litchner, the first to step ashore, declared: “All the boys are happy and feeling fine.”

He said three was no panic or excitement when the ship struck. “We were all asleep when the shock came,” he said, “and the boys thought that we had reached the dock.” The men crawled out of their bunks and were much interested when they learned that the ship was aground, Litchner stated.

The four men who came ashore were volunteers in the rescue work.

Twelve soldiers who arrived with the coast guard were thrown into the water when a lifeboat bringing troops ashore capsized in a heavy sea. Soldiers and guards on shore swam to the rescue, dragging all to safety, but in a half-drowned, semi-conscious condition. They were resuscitated by army medical corps workers.

With a calmer sea making the rescue work less hazardous, 600 wounded were landed safely. By means of a trolley, some of the troops on board the transport were transferred to relief vessels standing by.

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SOLDIERS RESCUED.

NEW YORK, Jan. 2. — A breeches buoy was rigged this morning for the removal of wounded American soldiers from the hospital transport Northern pacific, aground on Fire Island. Boats will also be used if the sea dies down.

The position of the ship, which was considered most perilous last night, is no greatly improved.

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DANGER IS PASSED.

NEW YORK, Jan. 2. — Wounded soldiers are being transferred from the Northern Pacific to the transport Mallory, the sea having subsided sufficiently to permit this, according to a wireless dispatch received here. The Mallory is scheduled to dock at Hoboken this afternoon.

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POLES MARCH

ON TO BERLIN

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NOW WITHIN 50 MILES OF GERMAN CAPITAL — TEUTONS ARM TO RESIST THE INVADING SLAV ARMY.

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GENEVA, Jan. 2. — The Polish army of from 30,000 to 40,000 men, striking Berlin, has captured Frankfort, only 50 miles from the German capital, the Polish agency in Lausanne was notified today by telegraph from Posen. The Germans, the report said, are hastily rearming their demobilized troops in an effort to stem the invasion.

The Polish forces consist of infantry, cavalry and artillery, all well armed.

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GERMANS ALARMED.

BERLIN, Jan. 2. — The Polish army advancing toward Berlin along the railways has captured six German cities, according to information received here.

The Polish mobilization and advance have alarmed the German government and counter measures are expected to be taken immediately.

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TO RESIST INVASION.

BERLIN, Jan. 2. — Herr Noske, newly appointed minister of the army and navy, has ordered the arming of large German forces to oppose the Polish invasion of German territory.

Yankee troops marching into Germany

After celebrating for a while the announcement that the armistice had been signed this American army looked once more upon the serious side of the great, and with the same firm step but with lighter hearts started on the march for occupied territory in Germany.

EX-CROWN PRINCE

READY TO RETURN

TO GERMAN SOIL

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(By United Press to The Bend Bulletin.)

WIERINGEN, Holland, Jan. 2. — The former crown prince of Germany is trying to escape from his exile here, it is reported. Baron von und zu Belditz, a friend of the former crown prince, is said to have gone back to Germany to ask the permission of the government for Wilhelm to return to Berlin.

The ex-crown prince is willing to do any work which the government selects.

RECLAMATION

OUTLOOK GOOD

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DIRECTOR A. P. DAVIS, IN INTERVIEW, OUTLINES IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR CENTRAL OREGON.

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That the reclamation service has a definitely outlined irrigation program in view for Central Oregon, is shown in a letter received here today from George Palmer Putnam, publisher of The Bulletin, following a conversation with A. P. Davis, director of reclamation, Washington, D. C.

In giving the results of his interview with Mr. Davis, Mr. Putnam writes as follows:

“The department has in no wise abandoned its plans for Central Oregon development as previously outlined and gone into, independently and in conjunction with the state of Oregon. On the contrary arrangements have already been made for another survey and exhaustive examination looking towards the possibility of enlarging the proposed storage facilities of Deschutes above Benham falls, especially. This work will be undertaken the first thing in the spring, says Mr. Davis.

“I was told by Mr. Davis that State Engineer Lewis had been urging such further examination and the department had gladly undertaken it; rather, it will undertake it as soon as the winter breaks – requiring probably most of next summer.

“The difficulty, in the estimation of Mr. Davis, seems to be the fear of ‘leaks’ because of laa formation, etc. — the sort of difficulties which caused trouble at Tumalo. However

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OLIVER ERICKSON

TO SERVE 60 DAYS

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Pleads Guilty to Having Liquor in Possession, but Claims That He Found It.

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Charged with having liquor in his possession, Oliver Erickson of this city pleaded guilty in justice court before Judge J. A. Eastes this morning and was given a 60-day jail sentence. The offense was committed on December 20, the complaint alleged.

Erickson declared that he had found 10 bottles of whiskey in various places in this vicinity.

NEW HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION

FORMED BY LUMBER WORKERS

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To make possible better facilities for the treatment of mill workers at The Shevlin-Hixon Company and the Brooks-Scanlon plants here, the two lumber companies, working in cooperation with State Accident Commissioner Marshal, have decided on the formation of the Lumbermen’s Hospital association, announcement of which is made to the employes of both companies today in a letter written by the managements of the two mills.

Changes were necessitated when the Sisters in charge of St. Charles hospital were advised that they were not satisfied with the operation of the hospital on a contract basis. Mr. Marshall, who has kept in close touch with local mill problems, was sent for to aid in evolving a new plan to take care of sick and injured.

The association will be composed of representatives from each of the two companies and an employe from each company. J. D. Donovan will be the fifth director and will be employed as general manager of the association, with complete control under the supervision of the directors. As in the past, $1 per month will be deducted for each man, 25 cents of which approximately corresponds to the contribution of the accident insurance fund covering first aid. The balance is to cover sickness and to supply medicines and whatever other treatment is deemed necessary by the board of directors to keep each man in physically fit condition for his work. A constitution and a set of by-laws will later be drawn up by the directors.

In order to maintain the association on a strictly neutral basis, it has been decided to rent an office in the Pringle building where a trained nurse will be in attendance at the hours decided on by the directors. Mr. Donovan will take care of all X-ray work, anaesthetics and as much of the dressings as possible. He will also supervise the hospital and camp service.

As representing the employes, William Claire of The Shevlin-Hixon Company and Martin Helstab of the Brooks-Scanlon Lumber Co. were selected by Mr. Marshall, with the idea that if these selections do not prove satisfactory they can be changed at a general election of employes. On account of the urgency of putting the plan into operation on the first day of January, it was deemed necessary to appoint the men, which was done by Mr. Marshall choosing from a list of names presented by the mill companies and by the union officials.

The new hospital association is subject to the supervision of the state industrial accident commission, and if it is possible to reduce through the association this will be done. As the laws of Oregon require that absolutely no money can be taken from this fund for any other purpose, the men are assured that all the money they pay into the association will be expended for them, and that they now have an association conducted for service and with no idea of profit to anyone.

GAIN IS NOTED

IN POPULATION

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CHILDREN OF SCHOOL AGE IN BEND NUMBER 1536, AN INCREASE OF 232 OVER CENSUS FIGURES OF PREVIOUS YEAR.

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A marked increase in the school population of Bend is shown in figures furnished today by County Superintendent J. Alton Thompson, based on the school census just completed here. Children between the ages of 4 and 20 number 1536, a gain of 232 over the enumeration of the year before. Two years ago there were 1250 of school age in Bend.

While a final allowance of state and county school funds has not yet been made, Mr. Thompson estimates that the district will receive approximately $1.85 state money and $8 county money for each child.

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BOLSHEVIK FORCES

TAKE TWO CITIES

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(By United Press to The Bend Bulletin.)

LONDON, Jan. 2. — Bolshevik forces captured Ufa, capital of the White Guards, Tuesday, a wireless dispatch from Moscow stated today. They also captured Stiltan.

KITCHEN WINS

FIRST ROUND

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POSTAL ZONE AMENDMENT NOT INSISTED ON BY BACKERS BEFORE BILL IS SENT TO CONFERENCE FOR REPORT.

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(By United Press to The Bend Bulletin.)

WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 2. — Chairman Kitchin of the house ways and means committee won the first round of his fight to prevent the revision of the postal zone law, when the house adopted a rule today to send the bill to conference without a separate vote on the zone amendment.

The supporters of the amendment were so evidently outnumbered that they did not even demand that their vote be recorded, deciding to wait until the conference report is returned to the house before making an organized fight.

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H. MARTIN SELLS

INTEREST IN SHOP

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Announcement was made today of the sale by Harvey martin of his interest in the Wardrobe tailoring establishment to H. Eckstrom, formerly of Portland. The consideration involved was not given.

SOLONS SOON

WILL CONVENE

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FRICTION PREDICTED

AT SALEM.

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Nature of Organization in Senate Is Uncertain — Many Schemes Are Hatched in Secret Po-

litical Conclaves.

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(Special to The Bulletin.)

SALEM, Jan. 2. — Only a little over a week remains before the legislature convenes for its 30th biennial triumphal march through the statue books of Oregon and as near as can be determined here the individual legislators continue to be riding high in the air as to what they intend to do in regard to big legislation that will probably appear before them during the next two months.

Numerous bills of a minor character are admittedly decorating the interior of the solons’ beans, but in most cases they are too inconsequential to mention.

The past few days a large number of the prospective lawmakers have dropped into the capitol for chats with the governor and other officials. Invariably they have felt out the men around the state house as to the possible trend of public opinion on some of the big measures that are likely to come up for consideration. Almost as invariably they have given indication that they are yet unsettled as to how they individually intend to demean themselves toward such legislation. There seems to be more of a tendency than in the past to feel out the beating of the public pulse in this regard. This seems to be particularly true of the consolidation commission’s program.

Legislators Uneasy.

The printed report of the commission will not be in the hands of the members until a short time before the session convenes and a number of them are getting a little uneasy about the head as to just how to take what the commission will have to feed them in a very large spoon.

All agree that the people of the state have been insistent on some sort of a consolidation program which would have for its effect the cutting down of state expenses. They find here a ready made program and are sort of riding between the devil and the deep blue sea. They know the people want consolidation, elimination and all sorts of “shuns,” providing it only saves money, but whether the short of “shuns” that are offered by the consolidation commission are what the people really want is bothering the legislators.

This attitude of mind is very pronounced among a large number of the members – developed to a surprising extent, as earlier in the game there had been a general tendency to scoff at the commission’s report. Just how far this attitude will extend when the legislature meets is, of course, still problematical in the extreme, but there is no question about this attitude existing and it may result in the commission’s report being given more serious consideration than anyone up to the last few days had thought possible.

Harmony May Be Lacking.

One thing seems rather certain about the coming session. All is not going to be harmonious in the house and the machine is not going to run along nicely greased cogs as in the past. A number of members of the house feel that Denton Burdick had something slipped over on him when the Jones-Gordon combination was made which apparently will slip Jones into the speakership. On top of that even some of those who joined up with Jones along in the beginning of things are wondering just where they are going to get off at with the committeeships and have been bothering Jones a little of late along those lines.

Reports have drifted in here of insurgency in the very ranks pledged to Jones by written pledges.

One Marion county legislator who is a close friend of Jones expressed the fear that possibly the insurgency may develop to such an extent as to cause a number of the members to repudiate their pledges and to endeavor to put Burdick into the high seat, regardless of the original frame-up.

Speaker Faces Hard Task.

It doesn’t seem likely that such a mess will come to pass, but the expression of one of Jones’ closest

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