Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-01-30
Special to Times Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Eldora. Jan. 3o.-With the evidence
in the trial c. :. S niyde,sblrgh 10,
the murder OF his third wife all submit
ted, speculation as to what the verde,
will be is rife. What effect has the
evidence had on the twelve men wh1
for two weeks have patiently listened
Ito the testimony against and for the
OF evidence and diligently searching
for the truth? Are they. tisfied tina,
| Blydenburgh is murderer? Do they
think he planned for months to end his
wifes life and possess her property,
and then carried out his terrible pur-
pose by poisoning her? Or do they
believe he is the victim Of q strange
combination of circumstances and that
he is an innocent and prosecuted man
Has the defense succeeded in creating
a reasonable doubt in the minds of the
jurors? These are questions which are
now occupying the minds of all who are
familiar with the case.
The nature of the alleged crime per-
mits of no compromise verdict. II he
is guilty there are no extenuating cir
cumstances, nothing in palliation OF the
offense. II not guilty. he Is wholly
innocent and should be held blameless
in the eyes OF the law.
History of Case.
The Blydenburgh case presents some
remarkable aspects and 1t is doubtful
yyhofhar n n frf a
here where miscarriage OF justice
would be more regrettable.
SO much interest has been taken
In the trial proceedings that view Of
the alleged crime and the circum-
stances surrounding it will be of inter-
est at this time.
In the summer of 1902. f. S. Blyden-
burgh then Il widower was at Waseoun,
Ohio, following the occupation of a
stonemason and sidewalk builder. He-e
ne became acquainted with Miss Jen-
ME Roseborough a school teacher,
whose age is said to have been at tina.
time about 40 years. Blydenburgh's
exact age is not known. but 1t Is be-
lieved to be about 81. Miss Rosebor-
ough was possessed OF considerable
wealth. owning 24o acres of fine land
near Hubbard. Iowa, and other prop
erty OF total value of some $4,000.
Blydenburgh made careful inquiries
about her property and after satisfying
himself that the property claimed WAS
actually hers he proposed marriage.
Miss Roseborough accepted his Offer
and after shipping their household
goods to this place the couple came 20
Eldora and on October 8, 1902 they
We're married The marriage records
gave the ages of each as 40 years, but
1t is said this does not represent their
true ages 1t being claimed that Blyden-
burgh was much younger than his
bride. a fact which the state brough.
out in its evidence at the trial. Two
days after their marriage Mrs. Bly,
denburgh decided 100 acres of her fine
farm near Hubbard to her husband
The couple made their home in e.
dora and for n few months appeared
to get along amiably. altho Ii is claimed
that Blydenburgh had made remarks
that his wife was too old and deaf 20
be any company for him. Blydenburgn
professed to be very religious and was
a regular attendant at divine se:.-
vices.
The Fatal Dinner.
But on Sunday May "a, 1903. seven
months after his marriage Blyden-
burgh did, 1t is alleged. an unusual
thing. He urged his wife TO go to
church and for once reverse the usual
order and leave him TO get the din
ner. After some urging she agreed
and left him in the house alone on
her return she found he had prepared
an exceptionally fine dinner and she
ate heartily of 1t. 1t should be stated
here that Blydenburgh strenuously de-
MED that he prepared the dinner AMI
his daughter Irene stated positively
in her testimony that she herself
cooked and served the dinner on the
fatal Sunday.
About an hour after the meal Mrs.