Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-07-03
STARTLING THEORY
REGARDING TEE TRAGEDY THAT RECENTLY
ASfoNlSHBD BROOKLYN SOCIETY.
Many People Believe Esssros Is Only Shielding The
Woman 90 Loves, Who Really Did the Shoot
ing-Ths Insurance Policy Payable to
Mrs. Ccmslcck Now Missing.

NEW YORK, July 2,-AltnOugn Lnt
Brooklyn police are not putting much
confidence in the stories told by young
Darwin Meserole and Mrs. Dovie Com
stock, about Saturday Nights tragedy,
they are forced to accept them for want
of something better for the present at
least. Captain Leavey and his detec-
tives, Rorke and Raleigh, have been
hard at work getting evidence as to
what actually took place In the Sackett
street fat that night. They have ques-
toned all the neighbors, but if they
have discovered anything new they keep
it TO themselves.
There Is no doubt that something Is
being kept back, and In this connection
the action of District Attorney Ridg-
way in placing Mrs. Comstock so early
on the defensive Is severely criticised,
hut Mr.. Rdgway's friends justify his
action. They say that Mr.. Ridgway has
positive knowledge that Larbig had
taken out an insurance policy for
SIS, 600 on his life in favor OF Mrs. Com
stock, and that she has admitted 1t on
several occasions. Where this policy
now is is not known. 1t is not the one
in the possession OF the police which
was taken from the fat directly after
the murder. That was made out in his
wife's name. There was also another
policy in his wife'S name for $1,000, but
this was TO cover accidents, and expired
on his return TO Brooklyn.
The people who believe in Mr.. Ridg-
ways theory argue that when Larbig
saw the friendly terms on which young
Meserole stood in the fat, he angrlly
demanded the return of his photograph
and the life insurance policy. Mrs.
Comstock gave him the photograph,
which was found in his pocket, but re-
fused to hand over the policy. Then
the quarrel followed, and according to
this theory Mrs. Comstock shot him.
Afterward Meserole came forward and
said that he had done the shooting in
order 10 shield the woman. This theory
is fast gaining adherents. II Mrs. Com
stocks policy can be found, it will have
still many more followers.
Police Captain Leavy also has the
DRY to account for the marks on Mrs.
Comstock's face. He says that Larbig
found Meserole In the fiat and became
indignant. He looked upon Meserole as
a rival and ordered him to leave tue
place. When he refused the two men
got into a fight, and in trying to get be-
tween them Mrs. ComStock received one
or more Of the blows intended for Mes
erole. She was finally flung to one side
and then Meserole drew his revolver
and fred.
AT the inquest there will be three
witnesses who will testify in substanti-
alton of the captains theory. 1t will
be shown that Larbig was at the fiat
and gave Mrs. Comstock some money
before going to the races. These wit
nesses will testify that when Larbig re-
turned in the evening he went directly
into the room and the quarrel ensued
Immediately.
The defense evidently considers the
story that Mrs. Comstock was assaulted
by Larbig before the shooting, very
strong point. Lawyer Gaynor accom-
panied by photographer, called at the
Raymond Street jail yesterday mornipgv
Mrs. Con1stock was takon ust tnss.-sstS
j~iI yard. WHARF tho -bandages were re-
moved from her dlscolored eye. Then
the artist took several photographs OF
the woman, showing the damaged eye
to the best advantage. The pictures
will be used at the trial.
After the photographer had gone
away Lawyer Gaynor held long con-
sultation with Mrs. Comstock and young
Meserole, who is fast breaking down.
The woman stands the ordeal much
better When Meseroe woke up yes
terday morning he complained OF being
very sick and asked that doctor be
sent for. Warden Doyle complied with
his request, and the physician found the
prisoner suffering from nervous pros
traton. Lawyer Gaynor speaks hope
fully of the case, ald says he will free
both his clients.
Later in the day General Meserole
called on his son and talked with him
for about an hour. He seemed to be
more cheerful after his father went
away. but refused to talk, saying that
his counsel had advised him to keep
quiet,
Mrs. Comstock waited anxiously for
the arrival of her father from Washing
ton all day, but he had not put in an ap-
pearance late last night. She is still
confident that he will come to her as
sistance.
Larbig's son and his brother-in-law
called at police headquarters yesterday
and made demand on Property Clerk
Lowell for all the articles taken from
the murdered man. They became very
INDIGNANT when they were told that they
could not have the property until after
rho trial