Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-06-08
Prominent and Talented Lawyer
and Educator Confesses That
He is a Murderer
WANTED MoTHER-lN-LAW's COIN
Washington University Law Professor
confesses to Heinovs Crime Follow
ing Suicide of His Wife in switzer-
land-ln Custody in Germany-Mem-
Der Of Titled Family.

Karlsruhe, Germany, June 8. - Kari
Hau who has been under arrest here
for some time, charged with the mur-
der of his mother -law, Frau Moliter
at Baden-Baden In November last,
confessed today that he was guilty OF
the crime. Hau's confession followed
the news that his wife had committed
suicide by throwing herself into the
lake in Switzerland, whittier she hao
gone after the double affliction of the
death of her mother and the arrest or
her husband had befallen her. Hau's
case attracted much attention in Ger
many, England and the United States.
Altho German by birth, he had lived
for some time in Washington, where
he was well known both socially and
in the legal profession. Money troubles
prompted Hau's crime.
The crime of Hau has attracted con
siderable attention, owing to the hlsn
standing of the prisoner, his intellec-
tual it's. and many peculiar aspects
.aa"y persors insist that he is INSANE,
alsho the final examination of tn rT!s-
oner resulted iii his being declared ah-
solutely sane. May Is.
Family Among Aristocrats.
Hau was born in Germany about
twenty years ago, studied at the
Universities of Freiburg and Berlin,
and went to Washington four years
ago with his wife and four-year- old
daughter. He married Lena Moliter,
when he was student of nineteen,
against the wishes of her mother,
Frau Moliter. Mrs. Hau, who was
about six years. older than her hus-
band is understood to have dover
of $4,000, which she entrusted to her
husband. The latter graduated from
George Washington University in 1904,
after having passed brilliantly, earning
the degrees Of A. M. and Lid. Later
he was appointed professor Of Roman
law. The same year he was admitted
to the bar, and practiced his profession
in Washington up to the time of going
abroad with his family, about year
ago. Hau's father was wealthy. and
former member of the reichstag HIS
mother was baroness. The father or
his wife was court physician of the
Grand Duke Of Baden. After leaving
the United States, Hau went to Con-
stantinople with the intention of OBJ
tanning valuable concession from the
Turkish government in connection with
an oil depot at Tshibukli, but he ap-
pears to have been unsuccessful. He
then went to Baden-Baden with his
family, to visit his mother-ln-l law, and
the best of relations seemed to exist
between them Towards the end OF
October Hau left Baden-Baden to re-
turn to the United States according to
his announced intention, and sent his
mother-in law, false telegram. dated
Paris asking her to go and see her
married daughter.
married daughter there.
Falseness Is Discovered.
Falsification Of the message was dis
covered, and inquiries on the subject
were still proceeding, when, on Novem-
Der 5. Frau NJ olitor received a telephone
message at her home, asking her to go
to the postoffice and get a parcel which
had reached there for her. Accompan-
led by young daughter, Frau Molitor
Immediately started for the postoffice,
and while passing thru quiet street
she was shot from behind the bullet
piercing her heart. The assassin wore
a false beard, and the police claim that
he was the person who called up Frau
Molitor on the telephone.
Arrested in London.
Hau appeared next in Frankfort, and
from there went to London, to which
city his wife had preceded him. There
he was taken into custody on Nov. Z,
the investigation of the police of Ba-
dem Baden having connected him with
the murder of his mother-in-1aw. Soon
afterward Hau was brought to Ger
many, and Mrs. Hau went to Switz-
erland. For some time past she has
been making efforts to discover what
has become Of her dowry. During the
course Of the Investigations 1t devel-
oped that Mrs. Haus father left $125,-
900 and considerable realty to his wife,
and children, and that the greater part
of the estate was to go to Mrs. Hau
upon the death of her mother, which
Hau's crime.
Grief Causes Wife's Suicide.
Mrs. Hau came to Karlsrupe two
days ago, and had a long talk with her
husband. 1t is understood that he then
told her that he intended to confess
that he had murdered Frau Molitor, as
it was no use to continue the struggle
against the testimony any longer. Mrs.
Hau left the prison in a state of ut
most depression, and went to the VIII
lage Of Pfaffekon, where she drowned
herself that night.
Member Of University Faculty.
Washington, June S.-Professor
Hau's arrest, the suicide of his wife,
and his subsequent confession have
created profound impression in
Washington, where both he and Mrs.
Hau were we'll known and held in high
esteem The Haus have made their
home in this city for several years.