Daily globe., 1879-05-04
CHICAGO'S LAST MURDER

= IAOl MUhDEh
Il Prominent Merchant tShot by a Wonaan
WhO Lays Her Seduction to HIS Charge
F*sH Detuils of the Crime.
Chicago Times.
The law offices of Messrs. Jussen & Anderson,
on the third floor of the Times building, were
the scene of a tragic and most startling episode |
on yesterday afternoon. The woman Of the
PERIOD when she has any real or imaginary |
wrongs to right, places her sole trust in the !
avenging revolver and, with constant practice |
her craftsmanship has acquired q precision
that might we'll be envied by Carver or Bo- |
gardus The attempt to murder in this in
stance was premeditated with cunning and
deliberateness absolutely fiendish, the victim,
though advised of trouble, being thrown COM
pletely off his guard, and thus afforded the wo-
man every opportunity to carry her deadly in
tent into most effective execution.
THE VICTIM OF THE ASSAULT
is MIR. Theodore B. Weber, member of the
we'll known wholesale boot and shoe firm of
George W. Weber & Co., roing business on
Market street, the assailant, Mrs. Amelia Rob-
ert woman who has been the bane of his ex-
is,ence for period covering sixteen or seven
teen years, who has charged him with seduc-
ton, with rape, with being the father of boy
born to her. who at the age of IA was drowned,
about two years ago, who has blackmailed him
in and out of season, bled him to the extent
of several Thousand dollars, and finally summed
up the persecution by sending bullet into his
vitals.
After meeting the woman's demands for
nearly score of years-that he might keep
his name unsmrched before the community
and save his family from the disgrace of an
exposure-Mr. Weber finally determined to
face the music in manly fashion and make
avid 81, cfo f<, f,,fn =
tempts at blackmailing. Whatever Mr.. .Weber's
faults may have been in the past, he had
atoned for them bitterly years ago-paid for
them in dollars well untold agony of
soul-and during these later proceedings, none
but the most sentimental will contend that
the woman had any further natural claim upon
him For years he bled literally at every pore.
Still the woman refused to let up, claiming
that under certain covenant and transactions
considerable sum was yet due her. 10 Sc
cure this
SHE BROUGHT SUIT,
and the trial has been set for some time in
July. Previously, Mr.. Weber had made ar
rangements to visit Europe and as his suit
threatened to delay his departure, the court
| granted leave that the testimony in the case
might be taken before notary public, in the
| form of dispositions, thus obviating the neces-
| sity for his presence at the trial.
| THE EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES
began on Wednesday before Notary F. J. Crit
fin, room 81, Bryant block, corner of La Sale
and Monroe streets. Mr.. Weber vas present in
person, attended by his attorney, Col. Jussen.
Mrs. Robert was represented by Mr.. Shaeffner.
Before the examination began Mrs. Robert
gave an exhibition Of her feelings by throwing
a chair at Mr.. Weber. When the examination
adjourned for the day Mr.. Weber stepped to-
ward the door. Just at the moment he reached
it Mrs Robert jumped up and made dash at
him. He succeeded in gaining the hall and
held the door between them. She tugged on
the inside and he held it firmly for time or
the outside, but finally let so and took refuge
behind the rigging of an elevator. Rushins
into the hall and espying him there she agai1
made dash at him, but this time was inter
cepted by Col. Jussen. She wriggled hercely
in his stout grip, screamed and yelled at th
top Of her voice, but was finally subdued ant
: the party separated.
Neither Mr.. Weber nor Mr.. Jussen felt Ger
tain that
SHE CARRIED PISTOL,
but they suspected her of having designs O.
S the formers life, and accordingly the latte
i took the precaution to secure the presence o
r one of Pinkerton's detectives at the continue
r ton of the examination yesterday. Mr.
q Robert had no cause to suspect that her action
:. were under strict surveillance, for the detectiv
4 depOrted himself al an ordinary spectator
He kept watchful eye on her every movemen
but the woman, after all, proved too much fe
him, although when the shot was fred he W.
> within easy reach OF her.
It AS on the proceeding day, SO on yesterda.
the examination was conducted in room 8
Bryan block. On yesterday afternoon
MRS. ROBERT HERSELF WAS ON THE STAND,
70 and a report of her testimony will be found
n another part of this account. Mr.. Jusse
fearing for his clients life, had advised hi
:, not to be present during Mrs. Roberts e
~ ~ animation, and he accordingly remained
" " Mr.. .Jussens Office. in the Times building
~ ~ Mrs. Roberts bearing while giving her test
~ ~ mony was bold, defiant, not to say reckles
~ ~ She seldom made direct answers to MIR. Ju
20 sens questions. but as rule, she rather ga
't vent to some biting remark, calling Mr.. Ju
sen repeatedly a liar, scoundrel and other
names. Every now and then she would bre
out into coarse laugh, but there was nothir
he nervous or hysterical in her manner. Viii
Col. Jussen put some rather leading questio
r. to her. she was observed on several occasions
TUMBLE AROUND THE POCKET OF HER DRESS,
he but, on the whole, made no belligerent demo
strations.
Il Shortly after O clock Mr.. Jusson conclud
1g the examination of Mrs. Robert, a
then he announced that they would adjourn
of his Office to take the testimony of Mr.. Web'
ed While the party were walking along La Sa
ty street some one asked Mrs. Robert if she carri
hS a plSCOl. breaking 1utO d 10uu lauSa, sue
"a swered: "Of course not; what should I car
he a pistol for?'' The Times reporter, who "
nd Of the party, walking by the side of Mr.. j.
es sen, made inquiries of him regarding the e
sode of the preceding day, and during Il
conversation Mr.. Jussen remarked that he
lieved that demonstration had no other obj
d. than to intinlidste MIR. Weber.
ma Messrs. Jussen Il Anderson occupy suite
=, offices, three in number, facing Washingt
VI street, on the third floor Of the Times buildir
.e Mr.. Jussen and the Times reporter led the par
49, They entered the middle office from the hs
M NJ From this they passed into the west room T
~; was occupied by Mr.. Webber. He was
COMFORTABLY SEATED IN LARGE I-CHA1R
FOR III 'ne soulneas' 'oinei oA .ne ioo, CIV
- twelve feet from the door leading into the m
- die room. A few moments later Mrs. Robe
W. accompanied by her shadow, the detective, m;
IS her appearance. Under her arm she carried
~. 10 framed photograph of her son. As soon as
na detective entered the room he took seat o.
w sofa beside Mr.. Weber, thus placing hims
I'd practically between the woman and her vict
= 6 Mrs. Robert seemed quite cool and collect
After standing in the middle Of the room fc
few moments, she began to take the pa
wrappings from the picture, and placed it {
table that stood within few feet of Mr..
rth Der and the detective. She was now wit
tia three feet of the latter, and Immediately by
fice side OF the detective, her lett SIDE toward
Pointing to the picture, and addressing
Weber, she inquired:
els WILL YOU SWEAR THAT THIS IS NOT YOUR so,
ers, II WILL" said MIR. Weber, ''but do not W
ole to have any private conversation with ,
ier, This matter is now in the courts"
per At this point Mr.. Jussen stepped forw
until he had reached her side, and remarl
}. 81 think you had better not have anY priv