Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-02-20
Surrounds Killing Of Emil
CeTdron Last il'l July
For Which Bertha Claiche Is
Being Tried in New York.
Made Her His Slave -Certain Policemen
Said to Be Involved.

New York, Feb. 19.-The unravelling
Of an unusually mysterious and pa
thetic murder was expected to begin to-
day in the trial in the court of general
sessions of Berthe Claiche, q 22-year-Old
French girl, on the charge of shooting
and killing Emil GerdrOn on the night
Of July last
Berthe Claiche claims that Gerdron.
who was a young giant standing over
six feet tall and weighing 80 pounds.
had made her his slave for six years,
during which time she said he beat her
and forced her upon the streets to earn
living for him. So impressive was
her story that the money for her de-
Tense has been largely supplied by con-
tributiorS from women of New York
City. Although the girl admitted that
she killed GerdrOn, the circumstances
surrounding the shooting We're SO I'M
usual that they have given rise to
charges that members Of the police had
secretly urged the girl on.
GerdrOn was shot while under arrest
and walking along the street in the Gus
tOdy of three officers. 1t is now claimed
that $780, which Gerdron is said to have
missing when the contents of his pock-
cts were turned over to the police head
quarters.
Berthe Claiche said that Gerdron
brought her here from France, when
she was IL years old and forcibly made
her woman of the streets. On the
night of July g. she ran from her room
and complained 10 three officers whom
she met that Gerdron had beaten her
and that she wanted him arrested.
While she was making the request
Gerdron himself came up and was
placed in custody. 1t is alleged that he
then turned upon the girl enchanting:
III kill you. You will have me ar
rested, will you? Well you are as good
as dead now"
AS his back was turned Berthe
Claiche shot him three times and as
she gave herself up to the officers she
cried:
Il am glad l have killed him and
would do it twenty times over. He
made me his slave but he will never
raise his hand against another
woman"
When placed in Jail. the girl said that
'ii' Wa hoppISl There lIldIl SIZE Hdu
been for a long time.
During the trial it is expected one of
the witnesses will be policeman who
is alleged 10 have said that he forced
another police officer to give him dia-
mond lockct. 4 gold watch and 4 stick
pin on threat that if they We're not
given he would inform the head of the
department that these articles had been
taken from Cerdron's body.
Another peculiar phase in connection
with this case. developed yesterday
when Charlotte Smith. president Of the
Rescue League, appeared in Jefferson
Market police court and testified to the
good character Of Mrs. Martha Francis,
VINO she said is an important witness
for Berthe Claiche. A policeman
charged that Mrs. Francis ATTEMPTED
to bride him when he tried to arrest
her on charge of keeping an immoral
resort.
When the case was called the court
room was filed many women being
among the spectators. Immediately af-
ter the calling of the case ii was adj
journed until tomorrow. owing to the
Illness OF Assistant District Attorney
Ely. who was to conduct the prosecu-
ton.