The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1897-01-30
QUESTION: MUST HANG.


| fSt. Louis Republic.
DR.. Arthur Duestrow, the st. Louis
millionaire, has been sentenced to
hang at Union, Mo-, February 10th,
for the murder of his wife and child.
The crime for which Duestrow
was convicted and sentenced to be
hanged was one of the most brutal
in criminal annals. On the after
noon of Feb. 10, 1894, he went to
his elegant home near Compton and
Lafayette avenues. He had been
drinking heavily all day. His wife
was waiting in pleasant anticipation
of his taking her and their infant
child out for a sleigh ride. Dues
trow left the sleigh in the care Of
the driver and entered the house.
A female servant did something to
displease him and be attempted to
strike her. His wife interfered to
save the girl, and thus attracted the
drunkard's anger to herself. He
brutality struck her twice with his
clinched fist, knocking her against
q bed. II was not the first time he
had beaten her. He got his pistol
and, notwithstanding her entreaties,
fired two shots at her With the
weapon almost touching her body.
She fell unconscious to the floor.
After one glance at her body, the
drink.crazed brute seized his child
and held it against the wall, placed
the pistol against its little breast
and fired. Then he rushed from the
house and surrendered to the police.
With this beginning, Duestrow's
case has become historical. His
great wealth, inherited from bis
father, has enabled him to employ
able counsel who have made legal
fight that will 90 down in the annals
of jurisprudence. Learned medical
were paid enormous fees to
ascribe to the murderer new men
tai disease. They were opposed on
the other hand by medical experts of
equal eminence hired by the state.
The medical world became interest
ed in the case, and the various trials
threatened to become little else than
4 neurological debate. Beginning
at a time shortly subsequent to
his crime, Duestrow's manner was
adapted to support the insanity
theory. Agents were sent to Europe
10 collect evidence of hereditary,
mental weakness. Nothing that
could be done was left undone.
Four trials, not counting numer-
ous hearings, lasting In the aggre-
gate for months and costing the
State an enormous sum, have been
had. Two were inquiries into the
mental condition OF the defendant,
and two for the crime. There was a
nistrial in each instance, which ne
the recovering of the
whole ground. First jury decided
hat Question: was responsible for
ais actions. and then another jury
'ound him guilty of murder in the
irst degree. From this verdict an
appeal was taken 10 the Supreme
Court. Although very wealthy.
Ouestrows inheritance is in such
'hape that only the income can be
ouched. The expenses of bis de-
enss have been very large, and the
income has long since been exhaust.
ID. At present he owes his attorneys
md experts large amounts, and
judgments against his curator are
numerous On the records of the Cir.
uit Court. IF be is executed end
esq litigation may grow out of these
as his share passes to
lis sister on bis death and she will I
lot pay them.
Duestrow received the news of the
(ecision ofthe Supreme Court much
fter his usual manner. He affected
o not understand the, true impor,
# it, but later in the day could
'ot conceal his nervousness and ap-
'rehension. His condition is truly
'itiable for, aside from his attor-
eys, he has not a friend in the
World. His sole surviving relative
} bis sister, and she has Professionally
efused to visit him or assist him in
ny way.