Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-12
YEAGER'S ALLEGED CRIME
Local Attorney on Trial in the District
Criminal Court
Arraigned on Grave AccusatiOn-Paf
ticulars of the Case De-
tailed by Witnesses.

Lewis ]. Yeager, local attorney-at-law,
| was placed trial today before Justice
Clabaugh and jury in Criminal Court
| No. 1, under an indictment alleging on his
part the carnal knowledge Of Edith Schne-
bel, female child, under the age OF six
| teen years. The defendant was represented
by Attorneys Samuel D. Truitt and F. Ed
ward Mitchell. Assistant District Attorney
Shilington appearing for the government
The following-named persons were sworn
as jury: Messrs. John L. Conner, William
Barron, Edward r. Van Horn, Charles
Heitmueller Lewis Allen, William Kemp,
James Irving, Charles La Hayne, Berkeley
c. Waller Irwin J. French, F. G. Willet
and James F. Barbour.
The case of the prosecution was briefly
outlined to the jury by Assistant District
Attorney ShilIington, after. which Mr.. VIII
liam Schnebel. father of Edith, who was
fourteen years of age December L. 1913
was called as witness. MIR. SCHNEIDER ties.
titled that he met Yeager the latter part OF
November or the first part of December
last, when he employed him as an attor-
ney. At that time the witness and his
family resided at 319 l street southwest
Yeager grew friendly with the family, and
during the period from last Christmas to
June visited the house two or three times
a week Usually he would play checkers
with the Witness On one occasion the Wilt
ness saw Edith at Yeagers office on 9th
street. near d street. 1t was noticed that
the girl was i'll during the spring, and she
was attended by a physician. Early in the
summer it became evident that she was in
delicate cordition, and witness had rea-
son to believe that Yeager was responsible
therefor.
Cross-Examinatio
On crcss-examination the defense endeav-
ored to show that the witness had fire.
quently instructed Edith to keep away
from certain boys in the neighborhood. and
thpt he c{r ri Prnp
home after dark
Mrs Magdalene Schnebel. wife Of the
preceding witness and mother of the little
girl. next took the stand. Her testimony
was for the most part substantially the
same as that of her husband.
Physician's Testimony.
DR.. Anderson Sutor, practicing physi-
clan. told the jury that he was called the
Both of last June to make an examination
of Edith Schnebel. and related the conclu-
sions he arrived at. The witness had at
tended the child last March, but consider
ed her ailment then of an ordinary char
acter.
Next to appear was Edith Schnebel She
told her story in clear, straightforward
manner, and made a deep impression on
all in the court room.
How old are you, Edith" first inquired
the prosecuting attorney.
II will be fifteen the 18th of next De-
cember,' was the reply.
do you know Lewis J. Yeager?' then in
quired Mr.. Shillington.
Il do" Edith answered.
Continuing, the little girl stated that she
met Yeager during the Christmas holidays
last year, at his office on 9th street. She
went there, she said, with her mother who
had legal business with Yeager. The sec
ond time she called was the latter part of
January, when she accompanied her father.
The latter went to a barber shop, and dur
ing his absence Edith declared her ruin
was accomplished.
During the period between the first and
second visits, the girl said Yeager asked
her to visit him at his Office telling her all
girls visited mems offices. After the second
visit, she was with Yeager at his office fire.
quently, and often accompanied him to his
room, in a house on I'd street. She was not
aware of her real condition until DR.. Sutor
made the examination in June.
what were your feelings toward Yea
ger? Mr. Shillington asked.
Il thought very much Of him. Edith re-
piled. Il believed that he really loved me-
and l was very much attached to him"
Edith Schnebel was subjected to I'M
usually long cross-examnation. but her
statements were apparently not affected
thereby A recess was taken after which
Albert johnson, colored, appeared as a
witness. He stated that he was employed
by Attorney F. P. Gloss with whom Yea
Schnebel frequently visited the Office, ac-
Yeager
Detective Henry Lacy and DR.. VIM. H.
Wonder, dentist. also testified in behalf
of the prosecution late this afternoon
The trial was still in progress when this
report closed.