Idaho Springs siftings., 1902-08-09
ADVANCE
A NEW
THEORY
Gertie ChriSler'S Family
Now Believe She Was
Murdered.
[Denver Times, Tuesday, August 81

Members of the family of Gertrude Chriser, the
I6-year old girl, who, it supposed killed her
self in the residence of Frank Straub at Idaho
Springs last Wednesday, are engaged today IN an
investigation of the circumstances attending the
tragedy. They are making the investigation Of the
theory that Miss Chrisler did not commit suicide,
and it is stated that there is abundant evidence to
prove that she did not die by her own hands.
Mrs Bessie Dodson, sister who lives at No
1926 California street. states that she does not be
lieve that her sister wrote the letter which she
ceived, which purports to have been written by her
sister She says the handwriting in it is not that
of her sister, which is well known to her. She has
other reasons for believing that it not the wish
of her sister to kill herself. Chas. Chrisler,
brother of the dead girl, who resides at Idaho
Springs is still in the CITY, and is said to be at work
on his theory with a view to taking action
The records of the office of District Attorney
Lindsey show that Miss Chrisler month ago swore
out complaint against Charles Straub of Idaho
Springs, charging him statutory offense. Miss
Chrisler would not have reached her 10Th birthday
until next month District Attorney Lindsey sent
for Miss Chrisler and questioned her very closely
He asked her if she really wanted to prosecute
Straub or if she was after money from him. Mr.
Iindslev told her that she had strong against
him. and that his office would prosecute the matter
to the full limit of the law if she would stand by
the office and not be swayed by the other side.
Miss Chrisler replied that Mr.. Straub had ruined
her life and that she wanted to right her wrong,
and that she was not after any money nor was she
seeking to blaekmail anyone.
Then Mr.. Lindsey determined to go ahead with
the case. Special Officer Means looked upher age
in the old Bible at the residence of Mrs. Dodson
and learned that Miss Chrisler not yet II years
oefcfA ire nnfco and
Mrs. Smith, who at that time resided with Mrs.
Dodson Miss Chrisler had gone to the home of
her sister to live and was then resolving to
see Mr.. Straub again. Mr.. Means found the sisters
in hearty sympathy with Miss Chrisler, and they
said that they would see that she did not Mr..
Straub again.
District Attorney Lindsey had the papers in the
complaint prepared and filed the case in the magis-
trate's court. -Four days later, however, the dis
trct attorney received letter signed by Miss Chris
Ier saying that she wished to withdraw the charges
against Mr.. Straub and that she about to leave
the city, to go to Missouri.
Mr. Lindsey did not consent to this disposition
of the case and sought to retain Miss Chrisler and
proceed with the prosecution. Mr.. Means again
visited the Dodson home. He was told the girl
said she was going to Missouri. The attorney made
every effort to find her. but she could not be To-
Gated. The case was nolle pressed however, as
Mr. Lindsey was determined to proceed with it as
soon as he could find the complainant. About
three weeks after that the death of Miss Chrisler
was published.
Mr. Straub was never arrested, although there
was warrant issued for his arrest. When Miss
Chris1er left the home of her sister stating that she
would leave for Missouri, it is believed by the fam
lily that she Mr. Straub, and that she agreed to
drop the prosecution promises from him that he
would get a divorce from his wife and marry her.
Mrs Dodson states that her sister told her that Mr.
Straub had promised to do that 1t is stated that
Mr. Straub and Miss Chrisler soon after the latter
left the home of her sister, went to the office of an
attorney in Denver, where agreement arriv-
ed at that resulted in theletter to the district ator
ney Miss Chrisler is said to have signed paper,
at the request of Mr. Straub, which was drawn up
by the attorney.
No one witnessed the tragedy in the Straub
home last Wednesday morning. The reports state
that Miss Chrisler shot herself the heart with
a revolver and that she died instantly. The coro-
ners jury at the inquest gave verdict saying that
the deceased came to her death by her own hand.
Arrangements have been made by the Methodist
Sunday school for grand picnic and excursion to
City Park, Denver, Friday, August IS. Round trip
to Denver Fl as for adults and IS cents for child
rem If the citizens of Idaho Springs will help, it
is the design of those having the excursion in
charge, to take all the children, whether members
of the school or not, who unable to pay their
own way. Will you help by buying children's
..-1- I, .,r,,,a