Harry H. Bassett was born 26 May 1876 in New York according to several census returns.<\/p>\n
According to his death record, he was the son of George W. Bassett. I have not yet identified his family line.<\/p>\n
Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, Wednesday, September 21, 1910
\nBassett Not Angry
\nWrites Coroner, Intimating He Expected Death
\nWrong Not Intentional
\nMan Accused of Being Implicated in Death of Roberts Woman
\nSays He Will Not Blame Husband, if Harmed<\/p>\n
Harry H. Bassett, accused of being implicated in the death of Mrs. Frances Roberts, in the Saranac Hotel, last week, expected to be killed by the husband, according to a letter of his turned over to Constable Wagner yesterday by Roberts.<\/p>\n
Bassett wrote the letter to the Coroner, but delivered it to Roberts, when he came down from Cascade Locks the morning after the death of his wife. At the inquest he testified to receiving the letter, but said he was too nervous to read it.<\/p>\n
Bassett Sends Telegram<\/p>\n
Roberts was called to this city by a telegram from Bassett, which said: \u201cMr. Roberts: Select a true friend and meet me at depot on arrival of first Portland train. Don\u2019t fail. Harry H. Bassett\u201d.<\/p>\n
The letter to the Coroner which Bassett turned over to Roberts at the station, said:<\/p>\n
\u201cI am going to leave Portland tomorrow for Cascade Locks to notify Robert M. Roberts of his wife\u2019s death, Mrs. Frances Roberts, which occurred at Saranac Hotel, Sixth street, Portland, about 11:40 P.M. September 15. I will give him a true account of the affair, as I deem it my duty to do so, regardless of cost, which is to state that I only tried to prove a friend in deed when I was called upon to do so, as I know what friends are, in word only.<\/p>\n
“I wish also to state I have a check deposit in the First National Bank which I will endorse, and I with it payable to Mr. Robert M. Roberts, if he so desires: also about $52 in currency, which I also will to him, such to be used by him for expenses of his wife\u2019s funeral. I have been accused of wronging him in the past, but as God is my judge I did not know I was doing so, and after I was told I had done so, I have tried to make reparation. But as I will not reproach the dead, I have tried to be a friend and a true one and will end as such.<\/p>\n
Bassett is Charitable<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a task to perform, that one man in a thousand would do, but I will do my duty as I see it, and may God give me grace to do so. If he, Mr. Robert M. Roberts, does not believe my statements, and should offer me bodily harm, I wish the public in general not to condemn him, as probably his grief may be so strong that he will not look at it in any light but his own, and if such is the case I don\u2019t want him condemned for anything he does.<\/p>\n
“This is no confession of any wrong doing, but is made so as to prove my loyalty and true friendship for his deceased wife. As for me, I don\u2019t care, as my life has not been joyous at any time, and if I can give it up for the only true friend that I have ever had, I am willing to do so. \u201cHarry H. Bassett\u201d<\/p>\n
Oregonian, Friday, April 14, 1911
\nBassett Jury Disagrees
\nNo Verdict Reached in Charge of Causing Woman\u2019s Death<\/p>\n
After deliberating more than nine hours yesterday, a jury in Judge McGinn\u2019s department of the Circuit Court, failed to agree on a verdict in the case of Harry H. Bassett, who is charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of Mrs. Frances Roberts, of Cascade Locks, September 15, 1910. The jury was discharged.<\/p>\n
Bassett was indicted by the county grand jury March 10, charged with causing the death of Mrs. Roberts by illegal medical methods. Mrs. Roberts was the wife of a Cascade Locks man, and Bassett on the witness stand said that when Mrs. Roberts died he went to Roberts and acknowledged having had improper relations with his wife. He was willing then, he said, to make amends for his wrong. Bassett denied that he had committed the crime of which he was charged.<\/p>\n
Bassett is employed in the railway service as an electrician.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Harry H. Bassett was born 26 May 1876 in New York according to several census returns. According to his death record, he was the son of George W. Bassett. I have not yet identified his family line. Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, … Continue reading