The weekly Corinthian. (Corinth, Miss.) 1894-19??, 1907-11-14
JESSE B. WEBB CHANGES 60
re ,oLD At TIME OF rRAe
HDY IN sMITHvILLE, MO
SAYS THE WOMAN SHOT HIN
Attorney Outlines Defense BY n.,,.
ing That Shame at RealIzatlos
OF the Situation Caused
Her Act.

441r4
der, Jesse B. Webb OF ct Josans - nv
whose trial began here Wedns.s ~
has attacked the Character ~ 3,
woman who was supposed 10 hsss
been his bride of two weeks a, a.
time Of her death on October II 1aos
IN hotel at Smithville, this co,rss
he now asserts that he was NOT ma
ried to her; that they had known asas
other only three weeks and that -
shot him and killed herself wbon ~ ~
awoke to a realization of the ,a,ss
position in which they had nlacsS
themselves. 'u
This startling declaration. made !,
the opening statement to the jury Nv
Webb's counsel Wednesday mornIns
fell like thunderbolt upon the ears
OF the prosecution and of the MAN.
persons present who have become ~
terested in the result of the proceed.
ings.
The surprise this caused was Inten.
sified by reason of the variance from
the first version of the tragedy as toId
by Webb and upon which it was sun.
posed the defense would rely for N
acquittal. The prisoner had stounv
maintained that he and his wife as
she was supposed to be, had entered
into a suicide pact and that she shot
HIM, then killed herself
The dead woman was only 10 wears
old. She was Miss Inez Walkun
daughter of L. H. Walkup of Fairfas
Mo-, when Webb met her three weeks
prior to the tragedy. Webb is 2s
years old. He was an attendant at
the state hospital for the insane at
st. Joseph. His health was not good
and his physicians advised him 70
take a vacation.
Started for Hot Springs
About this time he met Inez Walkup
who was visiting a sister In st, Jo-
seph. According to his first story II
was case of love at first sight, and
within less than a week after their
first meeting they were married. Now
he says, they just agreed to go away
together and that there was no Ger
emony.
At any rate, they left together for
Hot Springs. At Smithville they left
the train and went to hotel Webb
says his illness compelled him to stop
his journey at this point, and that It
was their intention to proceed the
next day.
Early the following morning five
shots were heard from the direction Of
the young couples room. The reports
followed each other in rapid success.
sion. Several persons rushed to the
room and there found both Webb and
the woman lying upon the floor
There were three bullet wounds In
her breast and one in her head. One
bullet had entered Webb's chest
The young woman lived but short
time and it was several hours before
Webb was able to talk When he had
sufficiently revived he told Of the al
legged suicide pact. He stated that +
realizing that he could live but snon
time, owing to a disease Of the lungs
they had agreed to die together:
Told Of Suicide Pact
He was to do the shooting, he sala
but when the final moment came DIS
courage deserted him. His Siie' hs
said. took the revolver, saying she was
not afraid, and shot him once aaa
then emptied the revolver, nrlng tns
remaining four bullets into her own
body.
Because of the nature OF the v9anu'
the states attorney and the *oions
concluded that he woman coulo ny
have done the shooting. WeOo ssa
arrested and as soon as be su1lclsnF
ly recovered to leave the hospital VIZ
taken to jail. NO.,
The jury was completed late lps'
day and the state made Us opsa'As
argument at the opening Of court ~
wednesday. Prosecuting ATTORNEY !"
A. Craven outlined the case 70, pe
state. He said he would De su'V
show that Webb killed his VIZ , sas
shot himself. The prosecutor Sus's
ted the possibility of a suicide pA,'
He is assisted by J. W STOKES
Craig, Mo. .,yson.
Webb's attorneys are M. = Pc psed
w. J. Courtney and BENJAMIN ~ ns n
He appears very nervous and lO0a ~ III II
His face is much thinner 'nsn ~ ~
preliminary hearing several n'O''
ago.