Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-21
KILLED by CLEMMER
Mrs. Kaiser Victim of a Most Cruel
Conspiracy.
BRUTALITY SHOT IN HUSBANDS ARMS
The Miscreant Had Luled His Wife
to Her Death.
MISS DEKALB CONFESSES

NORRISTOWN, Pa, December 21.-The
hearing of James A. Clemmer and Eliza
beth X. DeKalb. the two alleged accom-
plices Of Charles o. Kaiser in the murder of
his wife. Emma P. Kaiser. on October 2S
1898, took place before Magistrate Len
hardt this morning. The magistrates office
was crowded, many persons being unable
to gain admission. Mrs. Kaiser was shot
while riding with her husband on a lonely
road near here. The alleged motive Of the
crime was the desire to secure $4,000 in
surance on her life. Kaiser has been SEN
fenced to death for the murder.
District Attorney Strassburger refused to
permit Clemmer to waive a hearing, and
after few minor witnesses had been ex-
amined Miss Dekalb. the notorious ''wo-
man In black went on the stand and told
the story of her life and the plans of the
conspiracy.
Told Startling Story.
Her story was of a startling nature and
most damaging to Clemmer. The latter
listened with great attention to her words,
but remained calm and cool under the try
ing ordeal. She told of plan which Glenn
mer and Kaiser had agreed upon for get
ting Mrs. Kaiser out of the way. This was
to chloroform the woman and then set fire
carried out. because Kaiser lost his nerve.
Miss DeKalb told of several carriage
rides she had with Mrs. Kaiser the ma
1ority of which were planned by Clemmer.
On all OF these unforeseen circumstances
happened which. it is believed delayed the
murder of Mrs. Kaiser. Her description of
the drive which ended in the murder was
minute and was attentively listened to.
For the testimony given, it is believed,
the commonwealth will allow her to enter
a af ha opt
thought to be impossible to convict Glenn
mer without Miss DeKalb's evidence. hence
the abandonment of the original intention
to prosecute both as principals.
Plot to Shoot Mrs. Kaiser.
In telling of the drive on the night of the
murder Miss DeKalb said that on a previ-
Gus occasion Clemmer had purposely in
Jured himself, so that he could collect the
amount of insurance held by him on an ac-
cident policy and that on the night of the
murder of Mrs. Kaiser she miss DeKalb)
was informed that Mrs. Kaiser was to be
shot and slightly wounded, so that some
money could be realized on the policy held
by her against accidents. Miss DeKalb
said she and Clemmer rode in a carriage
some distance behind the carriage in which
were Mr.. and Mrs Kaiser The Kaiser car
rlage was stopped in the road and when
she and Cfemmer drove up to within a
short distance Of 1t Clemmer alighted and
went forward.
A few moments later she heard shots
fired, and .Ciemmer shortly afterward re-
turned and they drove back to Norristown.
They then took 4 train for Philadelphia.
Clemmer Confessed the Murder.
On reaching their room in the latter city,
Clemmer confessed to her that he had
killed Mrs Kaiser, and he began to cry
and said he vas sorry he did it. He asked
Miss De Kalb tor give him chloroform and
kill rim, saying he could not kill himself
because he was "a Catholic. She declined
his proposition. -
Clemmer told her that Kaiser held his
wifes arms while he Clemme) shot her.
They left Philadelphia next day and sub
sequently moved to different places, both
earning a livelihood by working when they
could get employment.
Miss DeKalb said she was twenty-sx
years old. She met Clemmer in Pottsville
in 1894, and lived with him thereafter in
Philadelphia as man and wife under var
iouS names.
Upon conclusion of Miss DeKalbs testi-
mony Clemmer was committed for trial ut
the March term of court
Miss DeKalb was then placed in the dock,
but she waived hearing. and was also
committed for trial at the March term
1t is understood that the charge against
her will be that of accessory after the
fact, and that she will not be tried for
murder in the first degree.