Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-03-30
SHE KILLED
HER HUSBAND
Mrs. Mary w. Werks, Formerly Of
Bloomington, Illinois, Arrested In
Helena Friday.
CRIME COMMITTED YEARS AGO
Alleged Murdersss Married to a Re-
spectacle Man in This State
Denies the Charge.

Helena, March 25.-Accused of muir
dering her husband at Bloomington.
ILL.,, May "a, 1897, Mrs. William w.
Werks, living at 532 State street. was
arrested this afternoon at her home
by Chief of Police Travis, and is now
confined in the city Jail. waiting the
arrival of an officer from Blooming.
ton, ILL.,, to take her back to that
town to stand trial.
The arrest of Mrs. Werks was due
largely to chance. Svine time ago
there was q man in Helena, who form.
erly lived in Bloomington. He was
aware OF the fact that Mrs. Anna
Culton was wanted in his town for
the murder of her husband, Mike Cul.
ton. One day he saw d woman on
Main street whom he recognized as
Mrs. Culton. He followed her for a
little while, but finally lost track OF
her. He then wrote to the chief of
police OF Bloomington and told him
he had seen Mrs. Culton here.
The first Chief Of Police Travis
knew of the matter was a few weeks
ago when he received a letter from
the Bloomington chief, detailing the
facts above narrated and giving a
description of the woman. Chief
Travis kept on a lookout for the WON.
an and about a week ago he saw a
woman go into Butcher & Bradley's
on Main street, who answered the de.
scription. The chief located Mrs
Werks and then sent to Bloomington
for her picture. When 1t arrived he
was positive Mrs. Werks was the
woman he wanted. This afternoon
Chief Travis and Jack Flannery went
to the Werks residence. In response
to knock Mrs. Werks came to the
door. Travis introduced himself and
told Mrs. Werks he wanted her to &c
to police headquarters with nim. Sne
asked what for and Tue chief told heI
she was wanted on the charge oi
killing her husband In 1897. The
woman turned deathly pale, but made
no remark and went to headquarters
without a protest
On arriving there she was asked
what she had to say about the charge
She told the chief and Mr.. Flannery
that she had gone into her husbands q
room and found him dead; that she
was afraid of the Catholics and fear
ing that they would charge her with
the crime, she had left town and that
she knew nothing more about 1t. Lat
er she said she was not aware OF
her husbands death until after she
had left Bloomington.
After Mrs. Werks had been arrest
ed her husband, who works for the
Union Market, was notified. Mr.
Werks came to the station and was
greatly surprised to hear Of the af
fair. He said he did not know wher
he married his wife four years ago
that she had been married. He was
greatly affected when he was told
the details Of the affair, but Mrs
Werks remained calm and collected
Taking her wedding ring OF hel
finger, Mrs. Werks handed 1t to hel
husband with the remark: Here
take this. Do not worry about me
You will be better of without me ant
a man can get along better by him
self than a woman"
As she said this her voice broke
but she soon recovered and asked he
husband to bring certain Of her be
longings to her.
The husband appeared scarcely t.
realize the serious charge against hi
wife at first, but when he did he be
gan to inquire how he could best hell
her. This evening he was with he
at the police station for severa
hours and they we're allowed to tall
together as long as tney desired.
Mrs. Werks Is reticent as to wha
she knows about the killing OF he
first husband and would only say II
reference to the charge against he
that she is Of the opinion she is al
rested under suspicion.
Mr.. and Mrs. Werks have beel
residents of Helena about three years
being married four years ago In WY
oming. Mr.. Werks bears an exec
lent reputation In this city and ther
has never been any question as +
the good repute of his wife. Afte
the arrest had been made by Chic
Travis, he notified the Bloomingto
officers and they wired that a ma
would be sent for the prisoner.
The information was given that a
Indictment had been found agains
Mrs. Werks charging her with tn
crime.
Was Killed With Revolver.
Bloomington, ILL.,. March 25.--Anni
Culton. reported under arrest at He
ena, Montana, is wanted here for th
alleged murder of Michael Cultol
her husband, whose decomposed bod
was found in the rooms occupied b
the couple on May 21. 1897. Mr.
Culton has not been Seen since this
day. although countless clews hay
been followed and many false arres,
made. Culton and his wife had n,
lived happily together and his rel
tives were not on friendly terms wit
the woman. They did not visit h
home 80 that II was possible for II
murder to remain undiscovered fro
Monday until Thursday. Thoms
Welch. a brotherin-law Of Culton. b
came alarmed over the absence of Il
latter from the saloon. where he WI
bartender, and with the aid Of a p
liceman, forced an entrance to Il
rooms. The body OF Culton W,
found lying across the threshold of u
spare room. There were two bull
holes In the temple and the back
the skull had been pounded to a pu
| ud,h . hotchaf The hafchot -.