The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-08-15
ODOR|FEROUS CASE
IS AIRED IN COURT
Mrs. Wa.zsr Makes Every Ef-
fort TO Secure Release of
Eckfieid for Whom She
Lsf; Her Husha nd.

The Canal Fulton elopement case
was aired in probate court Tuesday
morn ing. George Eckfield, who is in
Jail on the charge of grand larceny,
preferred by Joseph Walzer. made an
application to the court to be released
on the ground that there was no evil
dence against him. This necessitated
the taking of testimony and witnesses
were subpoenaed and the entire case
gone over.
The case is a sensational one. Mrs.
Waller, while her husband was sick
in bed. eloped with George Eckfield
who was a boarder at the Empire
house, conducted by her husband. The
pair started for Columbus, but wero
apprehended at Mt. Vernon by an of.
ficer and arrested.
When the wife left, according to her
own admissions, she took pocketbook
from the hotel. the husband claiming
that the cash was his. The woman
claimed that the money belonged to
her and that there was $40 in the
purse.
WERE SENT TO JAIL.
Eckfield and the wife were both TAX
en- before the mayor of Canal Fulton
and bound over to court on the charge
or grand larceny. They waived ex-
animation and were sent to Jail. The
10 how
and pleaded with him until he Sc
cured her release by giving bond for
her appearance.
Eckfield, firing of confinement, then
applied for his release. The point was
laised in his behalf that the wife took !
the money, that a wife could not steal
from her husband, especially when she |
was in the habit of handling the
money. Attorney M. J. Braucher, who |
was the prisoners counsel, insisted
upon this, but Judge Aungst consid-
cred that there were sufficient grounds
to hold the man and refused to re-
lease him. The bond was fixed at
$500 and as Eckfield was not able to
furnish security he was sent back to
Jail.
Eckfield testified in his own behalf
asserting that he had nothing to do
-ith taking the pocketbook. Mrs.
Waizer turned it over to him after
thcr were arrested.
TRIED TO CLEAR HIM.
firs. Walzer, in the presence of her
husband and daughter, and also a
lumber Of neighbors from Fulton,
showed she still desired to clear Eek
lcld. She was witness in his be-
half. She admitted taking the money
and said that they had left together
ard were on their way to Columbus.
The grip that they had contained his
and her clothing. She said she did
not tell Eckfield that she had any
money until after their arrest. They
had taken buggy ride the evening
before they went away. Her evident
desire to shield the prisoner was COM
mented upon. Several times she con-
tradicted her husband and interrupted
Aim when he was testifying.
number of witnesses were called
1ii behalf Of the state by Prosecutor
Day. They told of the money that
had been received by Waller and an
effort was made to prove that the
wife took much more than the sum she
mentioned. a
After the judge had passed upon
nc case the husband and wife were
seen together upon the streets appar-
emily in good humor toward each 9TH
er in spite Of their little differences
IN the court room. Walzer Is a saloon
kccper and in connection with the
saloon rslns the hotel.