The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-06
WOMAN SLAYER OF GIRL
BREAKS DOWN IN COURT
Mrs. Powell, Who Confessed Kill
ing Estelle Albin, LooseS a
Flood of Tears.
STRUGGLE IN A GARRETT
Goes on Witness Stand, Describes
Deadly Struggle in Garret
and Weeps.

DOVER, Del, May 5.-For the first time
since the gruesome discovery of the
mangled body of Estela Albn, in her attic,
Mrs. Mary A. Powell, the self-confessed
slayer of the girl. broke down to-day. She
gave vent to her feelings while under cross
examination. After narrowing recital to-
day the woman could bear up no longer,
and, although she made mighty effort to
regain her composure. she could not. crying
out: "Oh, l did not mean to do ii"
The womans passionate weeping brought
tears to many of the spectators. Attorney
General Ward was merciess and piled the
woman with questions relative to the strug-
gle with the girl in the garret. Mrs. Powell
then detailed again every incident of the
deadly combat in the attic. and added that
while she struggled with Essie the latter
got her knee on the witnesss right hand.
and while Essie held her firmly by the
throat tore off her apron and proceeded to
choke witness. who was underneath her.
She (Mrs. PowelD was getting weaker all
the time.
How did you get that knife out of your
right pocket and get it open II she was
holding your hand under her knees?' asked
Mr.. Ward.
II snatched it out from under the leg"
How long did you fight, as you say, be-
fore you cut her?'
We'll, was losing strength and knew
she was going 10 take my life but
Mrs. Powell did not finish the sentence.
She broke down and sobbed piteously.
Rocking to and fro she moaned and cried,
"Oh, did not mean TO do ii, while those
In the courtroom gazed in amazement at
the remarkable change in the woman.
After some minutes the cr0SS-eXaminatl0n
was concluded.
When Mrs Powell took the stand this
morning she was asked to detail her move
ments on the day Miss Albin killed.
She described the house and said:'
There were some glass jars and bottles
on dresser. In the summer kitchen. Es-
sic was just inside the door of the wash
house watching me. She looked mad. /
said nothing to her and she said nothing to
me. l gathered up the bottles and started
for the garrett by way of the hall stairs
/ opened the garret door. closing it after
me. While l was putting down the bot
ties / heard the gafret door open and saw
the form of person coming up the stairs
throat and choked me so badly that hit
her twice with bottle that was in my
hand. She pulled me to the floor with her.
She again grabbed me by the throat and
said she would choke me TO death. She
took up her apron and tried to place II In
my mouth. i took knife from my pocket
and opened It, Essie tried to get II from
me- The knife was In my sore right hand
and / knew If Essie got 1t she would take
my life. 1 did not want TO cut her.
then changed the knife to my other hand
and when she again tried TO get II l cut
her. did not know what to do and was
blood all over. Something said TO me, Put
the knife in her hand. 1t will look like
suicide and / did So"
In answer to questions Mrs. Powell said
she did not entice the girl to the attic but
that Miss Albin followed her upstairs.
Mrs. Powell said she had at various times
quarreled with the girl. and on one occasion
she told her she must leave the house II
she did not conduct herself more becom-
insly.
''Essie told me-" continued Mrs Powell.
that IL anybody went away IL would be
me. On the day before last Christmas eve.
while my husband was In Philadelphia,
q, roSf xnrhf oh Qto
prepared for breakfast. | ordered Essie 10
throw il out and did not drink it,