SHOCKING LETTERS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 11 May 1917, Page 6

SHOCKING LETTERS.

CURL'S ARREST ON LIBEL CHARGE

A remarkable story was told at the Salford Police Court, when a girl guide's secretary, Elsie Fletcher, aged 20, was charged with writing libellous letters respecting the Kcv. Race Godfrey vicar of St. Cyprian's Ordsall, Lane Salford. It was stated that in December last the vicar, curate, organist, choirmaster, and caretaker of the church received anonymous letters. Some were of a libellous character, and filthy expressions were written on the envelopes. Some were posted without stamps, others were pushed under the door. Similar letters were found pushed under the door of the house oeupied by the accused's mother. The Bishop of Manchester also received a letter in which libellous statements were made against the vicar and headmaster. DISGUISED DETECTIVE.

Becoming alarmed the vicar interviewed the Chief Constable, and as the result Detective-Inspector Clark procured a supply of stationary; placed certain marks inside of the envelopes, and sent ex-Dctectivc-Scrgeant Johnson disguised as a pedlar to the house of the girl to offer the stationary for sale. So cleverly was Johnson disguised that detectives watching the house failed to detect him. Some of the stationary was purchased by the accused, and subsequent letters received were found to be enclosed in envelopes bearing the secret marks.

Later a letter signed Elsie Fletcher was received by Detective-Inspector Clark asking him to "kindly hush up the whole matter about those horrible letters." in the letter the girl said she had become engaged. Accused, who protested that she was not guilty, was remanded in custody.