The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-12-11
SWORE HE'D SHOOT
WIFE like A DOG
Henry sussman Accused by Young
Sister-in-Law Of Threaten
ing Murder.
RIGGs-ELLIsoNl CASE
FIRED HIM, SHE SAYS
Sussman Tried to Gain Possessic.,
Of Marriage Certificate, is
Testimony.
Yesterday IS late proceedings in Suss-
man trial on page 8.

f. iesIeiudy ldte proceedings IN SuSS.
man trial on page 8.
said.'' 1A wy ~
This startling evidence against
Henry NJ. Sussman, who is on trial for
was given today by Miss Rose Messenger,
or Messenger as the family is usually
known. She is sister of the murdered
woman, and being only two years
younger, was more of a companion to
her than were the other members Of the
family. Moreover, she is an intelligent
young woman and gave her evidence in
clear-cut, convincing manner.
Two notable facts bearing upon the
crime were brought out for. the first
time by this witness-the attempts of
Henry Sussman to secure possession Of
the marriage certificate, and a threat
to take his wife's life after reading
the headlines in the newspaper accounts
of the Riggs-Ellison tragedy.
Look here Fannie! Have you seen
thisY That's just what am going to
&c 90 to you, l am going to shoot you
These words uttered in a cruel, men
AGING tone at the Masinger home in
the presence of the members Of the
family, filed them with fear and anxi-
ETY. for the safety Of the daughter,
Fannie.
The efforts to secure possession Of the
marriage certificate were repeated sew
eral times, to the knowledge of Rose
Mas1nger, and Henry Sussman was
destroyed with some satisfaction.
Another important circumstance was
the visit of Fannie Sussman to the
Sussman photograph gallery, where she
upbraided Henry for not visiting her
for week. The two had been married
only a few days.
Surprises from McGhee.
Two surprises were sprung on the
Masinger, mother Of the victim, was
on the stand. One was the admission
by Mrs. Masingert that her daughter
had been an inmate of the state train
ing or reform school at Red Wing,
from which she was released about two
years before her death. The other was
an intimation by Attorney McGhee that
terrorizingg her neighborhood with re-
volver. Mrs. Masinger stoutly denied
the accusation. The state knew moth
Ing of these matters, but Mr.. Dahl,
the, prosecuting attorney, is uncon-
cerned, as, he says, they can have no
bearing whatever ON the guilt or inne-
cence Of Henry Sussman.'
room will permit. Scores are turned
away from every session. It is "a
Well-behaved crowd and does not make
itself obnoxious as is frequently the
case.
Sussman is pale and serious. While
not exactly nervous or worried. he is
at least very thoughtful and, grows
more serious as the state develops its
case. He is surrounded by whole
bevy Of women. Beside his two sis
ters,ln law, there are four other women
Sussman party. They are understood
to be witnesses for the defense.
.-. Mother a Witness.
Mrs. Adolph Masinger, or Messenger.
as the family is sometimes known. was
the first witness in the Sussman murder
trial today. She is the mother Of the
young woman who married Henry NJ.
Sussman and for whose death he is now
on trial for his life.
Mrs: Masinger has been one Of the
pathetic figures at the trial as she has
sat bowed with grief and heavily yelled
in black. ~
On account Of the absence Of various
indispensable persons the trial, which
was adjourned until $3.50 this morning,
was not begun until 9:45.
Mrs. Messenger testified that she had
known Henry Sussman for eleven
years. Fannie had gone to school with
henry at the Sumner school and later
at the Blaine school. She knew moth
ing of the marriage Of Fannie and Hem
~ in March, 1905, until Fannie re-
turned from three-days absence, and
informed her. Henry appeared q week
later and remained three days.
Sussman Left Home.
During the three days at their home
the young people appeared to be on
friendly terms. Then he left without
t telling gha why or where re- He was gone
no information during his absence as
to- his whereabouts. One day Fannie
and her sister Rose went to the home
OF Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph Sussman and
on their return Fannie read q letter
from Henry to his brother Joseph.
Mrs. Masinger was not permitted to
TESTIFY as to the contents of the letter
threatening the lives Of Fannie and
her parents, as she had not personally
read it. -
Henry Sussman came to the Masin-
ger home last April and remained there
about seven weeks. It was his custom
to leave the house in the morning and
return in the evening, sometimes very
late and under the influence of LIQUOR.
she said. All this time Fannie was
working every day. He left the house
because Fannie was constantly askinr
for money. Two weeks afterWard
Henry was arrested for non-support.
the witness being Fannie Sussman and
Mrs. Masinger. He was sentenced to
the workhouse. -
In a Wisconsin Jail.
6 About two weeks before the murder
Henry came to our house," testified
Mrs. Masinger, Hand said that he had
been in Jail in Wisconsin,. He said
that hefwas charged with forging Clare
singers name to a check Henry said
that he wanted Fannie to 90 with him
TO Wisconsin and testify that Clara
Singer had urged him to forge the
check. He persisted in urging Fannie
to give the testimony he desired, but
she would not promise him. -
That evening Fannie left the house
with a friend who had called. Henry
went after her and Mrs. Masincer also
followed. Fannie and Henry engaged
IN conversation at Sixth avenue II and
GiTard avenue, while Mrs. Masinper
talked with her daughter IS companion.
Fannie and Henry separated and
little later Mr.. Masinger Joined Henry Z
Continued on 7th Page. 18th Column