The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-06-21

MER.
Norristowr, Pa, June 2o,-Charles Q.
Kaiser, ir. who is under sentence OF
death for the murder of his wife, was
today called by the commonwealth as
witness against James \. Clemmer,
who Is on trial here charged with f.aV-
ine been an aCcumplCe in the crime.
The prosecution decided yesterday TO
resort to the unusual proceedings or
placing condemned murderer on the
witness stand to testify against his al
legged acCompiCe. Kaiser was brought
into court handCuffed to the Jail war
den. After consulting with his attor-
ney, George r. Carr, of Philadelphia,
he took the stand. Mr.. Kane for the
defence, objected to his being wit
ness. but the objection was ovcrrulod
by Judge Weand. who explained that
Kaiser was present under a writ of
habeas corpus. and that any t.stimony
he would give must therefore e vol
untary
II am here" said Kaiser, "to tell the
absolute truth and nothing else"
Kaiser. in answer To a question stated
that he met by appointment Clcmmer
and Miss DeKalb, who has figured SEN
sationall! in the case as the mysteri-
Gus woman i'm black" on the day of
the murder at the railroad station i'm
NorristOwn.
What ARRANGEMENTS did you make
for killing your wife,"
There were all kinds of arrange
mcnts made before this. Clemmer sug-
Scsted that | should take my wife driv-
ing. aud he would follow us and shoot
both Of US. Lizzie DeKalh was there
too, and took part in this drama.
DETAILS OF THE TRAGEDY.
About 40 D. m. we went out, my
wife and !. Clemmer got his team and
followed us. | was I'm the wagon when
he shot US. My wife said. Please
don't shoot" AS Kaiser said this he
broke into tears. and his voice faltered
as he told how Clemmer walked up and
shot first his wife and then himself
There We're no screams" he said.
Il got out Of the carriage and walked
towards the bridge. | took my clothes
off, and Clemmer having failed to take
my stud, | took it off and threw it
away but Clemmer promised to take
all our jewelry and pocketbook."
What did Lizzie DeKalh do?"
she had agreed. at the station. that
she should turn the horse around,
which she and Clemmcr drove. and
keep all passers by from coming up to
us until after the shooting was done:
which ! suppose she did. She did not
come near us after the murder"
Upon the suggestion of the counsel
for the commonwealth, Kaiser told the
following story:
Il met Clcmmer and after a while
he said that it would be a good plan
to have my wifes life insured, and
then make away with her He kept
this up continually and so insisted and
persuaded me that | finally consented
| did not have the power or will to
resist his arguments. and we got the
policy.
"Clemmer then suggested four diff
ferent ways in which she should be
killed. In one of them my wife was
to go out with Miss DcKalb. Clemmer
was to meet them in some lonely place
and shoot her and Lizzie like he did
me. Once Lizzie was to go meet a
supposed brother, and next they were
to go out for chestnuts. The third
time they We're to so fishing. but the
fourth was when he did shoot her.
PERSUADED BY CLEMMER
He always told Lizzie and that
there was no harm i'm it for either
she or |, as he was to do the deed,
and i'm this way persuaded us to take
part i'm the murder
Kaiser then identified his watch, and
the pistol which was shown him, he
said belonged to Clemmer.
Judge Weand gave permission to
Clemmer to retire for consultation
with his attorneys. After being out
of the room for ten minutes he re-
turned, and his face was as pale as
death
ON cross-eXamination Clemmer
counsel asked Kaiser if he did not
expect to have his death sentence COM
muted to Imprisonment for life for
telling the story he had just related
DO you see this" said Kaiser, hold
ing up the Bible, " well | have come
here with the firm determination of
telling all the truth as the Almighty