Evening journal., 1888-08-10
RiedeI,r Orinle.

Whuh Nhb AAnR Arhs
Rfeders crime.
In the early morning OF September II,
1887. between the hours Of and 2 o'clock,
the residents Of that portion of the Ninth
ward known as Brandywlne Village were
startled by the report OF four pistol shots,
and were Mortified 10 learn that 10 the little
house at 222 LaMotte street Charles Henry
Riedel had sent bullet into the brain OF
his wife Lana Riedel. aud another through
the head Of his little son Willie.
Riedel came to Wilmington on April I,
1857, aud applied for work at the Arlington
Mills Superintendent Hilsley promised
him work for himself aud wife as soon as
the family should reach Wilmington. On
the 1lth OF April Riedel and bis wife
began work in the mill. They continued
without any event Of note until the 10th OF
September. On that day Riedel gave no
tice that his wife was In delicate CON
dltionaAnd would quit In two weeks. the
time required by the rules Of the mill for
which notice TO quit by either side should |
be given. Two days later Superintendent |
Hillsley notified Frank Farrell. the loom
boss, that the physical condition OF the
woman was OF such nature that she could |
not work. Farrell procured another woman
/ for the place and going to the loom where
Mrs Riedel was working told her to quit
work. She could not understand English
and Farrell repeated his words 70 Risdel,
at the same time placing one hand on Mrs.
hledsl's shoulder and with the other stop
ped the loom. At this Riedel few into a
] -.
work IL bis wife was discharged before
her two weeks were up. He fulfilled bis
threat at II o'clock that morning after com
pleting piece Of cloth upon which be was
working.
After quitting work Riedel in company
with friend called at Justice Bertolette's
office TO ascertain IL ho could obtain legal
redress for the summary discharge OF his
wife, The Justice informed him that it
would cost more than he could gain by
bringing suit Riedel left the Office and
INDUCED rather freely in beer. That even
ing be spent at the house OF his friend, Got
tlieb Wachter. He told Wachter and his
family OF the discharge OF his wife and
complained bitterly OF the treatment that
he had received. He said that be would
]
tice and could not get them and be was
going TO take them now himself He ex-
pressed determination to Kill Hillsey,
Farrell end himself Wachter deprecated
the threat and Riedel left.
From that time nntil the night OF the
murder Riedel brooded over his troubles
On the day preceding the crime he pur-
chased revolver OF Aaron Harris, liz
} Market street. and repaired TO bis home
! His wife and child retired early, but
! Riedel remained up. About o'clock be
took the revolver, A calibre English bull
r dog. and fired IL off against the wall to try
It. It worked satisfactorily. a few min
ltes before o'clock be mounted the stair.
case and entered the bed room where the
woman and child we're sleeping peacefully.
g Going up to bis wife he placed the revolver
J, squarely in the centre Of her forehead and
, fred, ppattering the pillow with blood aud
! brains. He then went TO the other side OF
E the bed and placing the revolver against
a the temple OF little Willie he fred, the Al
!. pasaing through his skull, the bedding
: wooden slat aud was found on the door
r beneath the bed. He then pointed the re-
: yolver at himself, but he was evidently
s nervous and missed fire. He ared a second
t time, the bullet glaueinR from his left tenn
: pie and leaving a severe wound. B'
s crawled 20 bed In an adjoining room
> expecting that death would soon follow.
L Mrs Riedel did not die Immediately, bui
;, suffered from her wound until about i.
o'clock. Riedel remained ON the bed In th'
> adjoining room, but after a short time, die
a covering that be was not hurt 70 badly a
+ he thought, he went down stairs and took
p seat in the middle room.
d Here he was found by Mrs. Wachtsr
a few hours later, holding his hands 10 hi
d face. Seeing that something had takel
Is place she asked: "What have you doneg
10 Riedsl replied: 81 have done what toll
ne you / would do" Mrs. Wachter went uI
nl stairs and discovered his murdered wifi
at and child. She then ran across TO the mills
N informed her husband and he came over to
40 the house and took In the eituation. Riedel
M after Gottlieb Wschter had gone, locked tht
n door behind him, took seat on the lounge
y coolly lit a cigar and proceeded to smok
it, while the blood Of his victims was still
ID oozing from their wounds
sn In this position he was found by exp
or lice OH3cer Andrew J. Sherry and Gustl
is vus Kolck who arrested him. He made n
resistance to the officers and went willingl
Id to the police station.
r. From that time up to the present time h'
cd has maintained an appearances Of perfec
'st indifference.
The trial was begun on the 4th OF May
IL 1888, Attorney General Biggs and Dsput
ce Attorney General Davis represented th
b. state. and q. Il. Ward, Esq. the prisoner
la having bees appointed to do 90 by th
K court.
is- The following jury we're empanelled
try the case; John NJ Barlow. James y
th Craig, Jesse g. BigRs. William t. BrAttoE