The evening world., 1894-03-03
LIKE MYERS CRIME.
Racine Wis. Authorities Say Mrs,
Margaret Maier Is a Borgia.
Accused o. Poisoning Her First Hus-
band, Herman Groenke.
Arrested In Brooklyn, Where She
Was Running IA Meat Market.

Mrs. Margaret Maicr. a stout little Ger
man. past middle aEe, was arrested this
morning in her meat shop. at Alabama
and Glenmore venues Brooklyn, on a
warrant charging her with killing her
first husband. Herman Groenke. by Civ
ing him two drains of arsenic.
The alleged murder occurred in Ra-
cine, Wis, Aug. 20 last. Three physi-
clans signed a certificate giving cholera
morbus as the cause OF death. 1t was
not until after the prisoner had collected
$1,000 insurance on her husbands life, had
remarked and departed from Racine.
that suspicion was aroused. Then 1t
was found h Groenke had died of ar
senical poison.
Groenke and his wife came to this
country from Stettin, Germany, about
thirteen years ago. They had been mar
ried two years. They went West and To-
Gated in Racine. where Groenke had two
brothers, Ernest and Charles.
saved a little money, which they invested
in a home at 1911, Franklin street;
In the Ancient order of Foresters, and
had the policy made payable to his wife.
Sheriff Beatty, OF Racine County, Wis.
w Nrisors went navs to ,ba, s% ,ps n6,Tce have for d ihe
~ ~ - N'"' 80 f'''
covered enough evidence to insure the
woman's conviction. 1t has been learned
that for a year before Groenke died the
couple had frequently quarrelled.
Groenke. 1t is claimed. accused his wife
of receiving the attentions OF other men.
mentioned his cousin, Julius Bartell,
with whom she was frequently seen
on the streets.
1t is said that Bartell will be the
principal witness against her on the
NT,iar ftrY,tgbaI .rtn 4 with fnnnpy and
they agreed to marry. For some rea-
son Bartcll refused to keep the agree
ment, and she transferred her affections
to Michael Maier, who Is about fifteen
years her Junior.
Groenke was taken i'll about the middle
of August, and several doctors VINO were
He recovered sufficiently to go to work,
but had several other attacks of the
malady.
The morning Of Aug, 20 he ate an
wards he was taken III. He went to
work, however, but after reaching the
shop. he told his companions that he was
going home. He complained of a burn
felt as tho Ugh he had been poisoned.
Drs.. Hoyer and Wheeler were sum-
moned. but, in spite OF their efforts,
wanted an autopsy made, but. Sheriff
Beatty says. the woman convinced them
that everything was all right, and their
Groenke's body was buried his widow
collected the insurance money.
When Mrs. Groenke found that Bar
tell would not marry her she fell in
with Maier, and Jan. IA last they were
married. Her house was offered for
sale, and on the following morning the
couple left town. They went to Brook
Ign and opened a little meat shop at
Alabama and Glenmore venues
After their departure from Racine. the
Foresters began to talk about her con-
Groenke's body and make an autopsy;
The stomach and liver were removed
Medical elns college ChicasGi ESr analysis;
ton, reported that Groenle's stomach
contained fully two drachms OF arsenic.
The case was laid before the Grand
charging Mrs. Mailer with murder.
The remarkable part of the story is
that the woman has been constantly In
and made no attempt to escape. A week
ago. when a despatch was received
bringing the news that the, Sheriff had
LEFT Racine to take hsr BACK to answer
avenue police station and asked If the
police wanted her. Being informed that
the police had no authority TO hold her
she seemed disappointed, and after de
claring her innocence left her address
and promised to call again
When Detective Cortright called at tn,
mouse tO-uav sllt Put on Htr CiOhh anu
accompanied him downtown. She wa.
arraigned before Justice Bartlett, who
on seeing the requisition papers signec
by Gov. Peck, of Wisconsin, and u
tersigned by Gov. Flower, formally
pia ced her in the custody of Sheriff
Beatty; She will be taken back TO Rac!n'
tonight.
To an Evening World reporter Mrs
Mater protested her innocence.
'This thing was started by my hus
bands relatives" she declared. His
brother Ernest was all right, but Char
lie was a bad one. We never could ge'
along together, as he always said meal
things about me-
Mrs. Maier seemed very cheerful. anC
said that she could prove that the charG,
was baSeless.