Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-10-11
BEHRENs TRIAL BEGINS.
Sensational Murder Case Called In Dsv.
export.

ssnss.iona, Murder Case Called In nav.
export.
The trial Of Mrs. Christine Beh-
r1us. charged with Henry Bendt with
the murder Of Claus Behrens, was
set for hearing in the Scott county
district court at Davenport this after
noon. The details of the great pois-
oning case are still fresh in the
minds Of the public. The alleged
victim, Claus Behrens, was born in
Holstein. Germany, and came to this
country and this vicinity about 80
years ago. He titled . farm on the
Rockingham road for . number of
years and afterward conducted q So
loon in the lower end of Davenport.
For the nine years preceding his
death he was employed by the Bran
mer Manufacturing company. In
1875 he was married to Christine
Jess. Two children were the issue
Of this marriage, both of whom are
living today. Mrs. Hulda Bendt, of
Rock Island. and Paula, Is years
Of age. He died July II, 1897, about
IL o'clock at night under circum-
stances that led to a suspicion of
foul play. A postmortem examina-
ton OF his body was made and after
an examination of the vitals organs,
which revealed the presence of paris
green, and coroner's inq uest on
July %, 1897, his wife was arrested
on suspicion. The remains OF
Behrens were inferred in the West
Davenport cemetery. The remains
were exhumed recently by the de-
Tense and portions taken for exam
ination.
Christine Behrens, nee Jess, the
defendant in the case, was born in
Schleswig, Holstein, Germany, 40
years ago, and came to this country
when yet child. She was married
before she married Bshrens, but was
divorced from her husband. She
WAS married to Claus Behrens in
March, 1875. and is the mother of
two children, daughters. She lived
with her husband until Dec. Is,
1896. when she left him after quar-
reling. and went to South Rock ISL
and to keep house for Henry Bendt,
who figures with her as defendant
in this case. Mrs. Behrens first met
Bendt at her home In Davenport,
where he called in company with his
SON. Otto. who was engaged to be
married to her daughter, Hulda.
Mrs. Behrens lived with Bendt as his
housekeeper from Dec. Is, 1896,
until July 6, 1897, when they quar-
relied, and che returned to live with
her husband, and they went to house
keeping In the Newcomb block on
West Second street. Davenport.
After being in jail few DAYS after
being arrested for the crime. she
confessed. duplicating Henry Bends,
OF Rock Island. She subsequently
withdrew this confession and denied
her guilt. After a prolonged and
hard fought preliminary hearing,
lasting IL days, she was bound over
to the grand jury, and last Monday,
Oct. 4. that body brought an indict-
mont. charging her with murder in
tho first degree.
Henry Bendt, who is Jointly
charged with Mrs. Behrens with the
crimo, was born in Holstein. Ger
many, and In 1881 came to America
and 10 Rock Island with his wife and
family. In 1891 his wife died leav-
ing him with five children to sup
port. He is hard working German
aud has always borne good reputa-
ton among his neighbors. who are
loath TO believe in his guilt.
He revealed q letter at the inquest
disclosing an intimacy existing be-
tween himself and Mrs. Behrens.
He was arrested Saturday, July "a,
and has been in Jail ever since. He
stoutly asserts his innocence and Is
hopeful Of an acquittal. He will
have his trial later on.