Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-02-28
DID DAUGHTER
KILL MOTHER?
Mrs. Wallace Accused Of Civ
ing Poison to Mrs. Binge
to Alleviate Suffering
Special to Evening Teller.

$500
by a sympathetic hand-an act of |
mercy that the patient daily begged |
from daughter doctor and friend?
This is the question that has fasten-
ed suspicion on Mrs. Binge's lovingly
devoted daughter, Mrs. Lottie Wallau,
and placed before her the prospect of
a trial for murder.
This question involving the oft-dis-
cusse theory of euthanasia appears to
be the only motive for the alleged
crime that can be advanced.
While the dead woman possessed
wealth estimated at several million
dollars the authorities admit that
motives for murder are
lacking.
Many Peculiar Circumstances
The peculiar circumstances sur
rounding the case promise to make 1t
one of the most celebrated the courts
Of New York have had to deal with in
a long time.
While it lacks the sensational fea-
lures that rivets the attention of the
public at large, the development up to
the present time would indicate that 1t
contains elements that will be closely
watched by the legal and medical
professions throughout the country.
The Wallau and Binge families are
related to several Of New Yorks prom
inent families.
Julius Binge the husband of Mrs.
Binge died about six years ago. He
was a broker in the New York custom
house as well as lawyer. He was an
expert on customs duties and filed
many claims for overcharges.
Who Mrs. Wallau Is.
1t Is said that these overcharges
amounted to nearly $4,000. 900 and that
he received 100000 for his services.
His chief case was the importation
of hat bands. The government held
that they were manufactured articles
while Mr.. Binge successfully MAIN
tained that they be admitted as rigbon,
upon which much lower duty was
collectible.
Mrs. Lottie Wallau, daughter Of the
dead woman. is the wife of Leopold
Wallau, the well known importer Of
bronzes. The family, including Mrs.
Binge and the 20-year-old son of Mr..
and Mrs. wallau, lived in handsome
home at IS East Eightieth street.
Charges Against Mrs. WaIIau
Mrs. Binge died on February 6, three
weeks after she had undergone an
operation for cancer, Suspicion fell
upon Mrs, wallau, and following the
receipt OF an analysis of the contents
of the dead woman's stomach, Coro-
ner Acritelli directed her arrest.
On February II Mrs. wallau was
arraigned before the coroner charged
with murder in the first degree in
having caused the death of her mother
by the use of poison.
Chemists who had examined the
liver and kidneys of Mrs. Binge re-
ported that they had found consider
able quantities of bichloride of mer-
curry present.
Mrs Wallau was consequently held
without bail to await the result of the
inquest which was held on wednes-
day of last week.
Suspicious of Poison.
At the inquest Miss Devine, train
ed nurse, who first called the attention
of the district attorney to the case,
testified that she had suspected poison
and that she had found some poison
Gus tablets secreted in the patients
room.
Other testimony tended to show that
the poison might have been admins
tered to Mrs. Binge in champagne.
The theory of euthanasia is the only
motive so far advanced for the alleged
crime.
1t was only a few months ago that a
prominent philanthropist advocated
the passage OF law giving people the
authority to cut short the life of a
person suffering from a mortal dis
ease or injury. From a humanitarian
standpoint the proposition is generally
Endorsed.
Always a Loving Daughter.
Almost the sole objection to It was
that 1t would be abused and a jury of
medical experts would have to be sum-
moned in each case.
Did Mrs. wallau. who was always
spoken Of as a loving and devoted
daughter. resort tie euthanasia to end
the misery OF her mother who hourly
prayed for DEATH