Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-03-29

Mrs. Anna E. George, who is in Jail
under indictment charging her with
having murdered Geo. D. Saxton, broth
er-in-law to President Mckinley, will
begin on April 4, and promises to be
one Of the most sensational ever heard
in this State. The crime was commit
ted shortly after six o'clock IN the
evening Of October Z. 1885, No one
witnessed the murder, but woman
yelled in black was seen hurrying away
from the place where Saxton fell just
after the shots were fired. SaXton
dropped dead at the steps OF the resi-
derece Of Mrs. Eva Althouse, widow,
on whom he was calling.
An hour and half after Saxton was
killed Mrs. Anna e. George was
locked up in the police station, charged
with having fired the fatal shots. no
one saw her do the deed, so far as
is known. She has never said one
word since that would indicate that
she did or did not kill him. She has
submitted to no interview, except the
one at the preliminary examination
made informally by the prosecuting at
tCrney Of the county at the time of
/ her arrest. She then would say moth
ing, except excuse me, but l have
nothing to say at this time"
! The reason for the prompt arrest OF
Mrs. George as the probable slayer Of
been intimate in various ways for a
number Of years. Litigation in various
courts had made the parties common
subjects Of discussion. 1t had been
frequently asserted that she had threat
ened to kill him if he would not marry
| her.
LIFE STORY OF MRS. GEORGE.
Mrs. George is the divorced wife OF
Sample c. George, a carpenter. She
was born in the country, thirty miles
east of here, in 1853. She is the mother
of three children, two OF whom are
living, both being bright boys. Her
carly life was spent in the country and
the village Of Hanoverton, Columbiana
county, o. She claims that she had
never been away from home or ridden
on railway train until she came to
Canton. This claim is disputed by the
State, and it is understood evidence
| is being gathered, which, it is asserted,
will show she was not the guiieless
woman claimed, at the time she first
came to this city.
J She was, however, accounted a beau
! tiful woman. She and her husband
| lived in a tenement house. The chill
dren were born here. Later the George
family moved into the building known
as the Saxton block owned by George D.
Saxton. He had his Offices in that
| building, saw Mrs. George frequently,
and was moved by her beauty. 1t is
related of him that the first time he
put his eyes On her as she came out OF
store in that block, he remarked
about her beauty and fine figure, and
expressed a determination to get &C
quainted with the stranger.
AS landlord George Saxton had occa-
sion to see his tenant, Mrs. George.
He seemingly took much interest in her
| children. He gave them toys and
candy, and invited the mother TO share
the sweets. She finally accepted. The
presents grew in frequency and size.
Mrs. George thought their new friend
was a fine man. He called in the even
| ing, managing to come when the hus-
! band was away. Later, presents were
accepted by Mrs. George on her own
| behalf, and jewelry, sealskin sacques,
and other apparel were given her by
| Saxton. The husband heard of these
| actions and protested.
BECOMES A PUBLIC SCANDAL.
Then scandals arose and multiplied
rapidly Events developed in quick
succession. The pair could no longer
conceal their intimacy. They took
| trips abroad together. Sample c..
George could not live with his wife and
| they separated. Then came the first Of
| a series OF Htigations. Samples c..
| George sued George D. Saxton in 1892
for 100000 for alleged alienation of the
affections Of his wife. The case went
| through various court processes, but
never came to trial. 1t was dismissed
in 1894.
While this suit was in the court Sam
ple C. George began suit for divorce
from his wife. The action was COM
menced in this county, but his wife
was not here to receive legal notice Of
the suit. The records show that q copy
! Of a paper containing legal advertise
ment of the action was sent to her at
| Canton. Lincoln county, S. D. Mrs.
| George lived there temporarily in order
| to get a residence so as to bring suit FOR
| q divorce. Her expenses, it is claimed,
were paid by George D. Saxton, and he
is said to have made trips there while
| she was in that town. Her divorce suit