Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-18
p Olson IN HER VINE
Woman's Mysterious Death
Followed by Investigation.
DAUGHTER SENT TO PRISON
Remanded Without Bail on the
Charge of Murder.
CHAMPAGNE Is ANALYZED
Sensational Developments in New
York in Case Of Mrs. Wallau-
Theory Of Prosecution.

NEW YORK. February 1s.-Mrs. Lottie
walIau, who was arrested late Saturday
night charged by the district attorney with
having poisoned her mother, Mrs. Ida
Binge, with bichloride of mercury In cham
payne, was arraigned before Coroner Acrf-
tell in the Criminal Courts building yester-
day morning and committed to the Tombs
on a charge Of murder. District Attorney
Jerome was present at the hearing. The
room was crowded with relatives of Mrs.
Wallau, reporters, artists and friends OF the
Wallaus'.
Mrs waiiau was brought in a patrol
wagon from the Mulberry street station,
where she had passed the night. She APP
peared to be calm and unmoved during
the proceedings and sat on a leather couch
between her husband and her son. both
Of whom seemed on the point of breaking
down when Coroner Acritelli formally COM
mitted her.
Edward Lauterbach appeared as counsel
for Mrs. Wallau.
"In view of the face that the chemists
have not yet made complete analysis In
this case" said Mr.. Lauterbach, II should
like to ask Coroner Acritelii to fix bail"
Jerome Opposes Bail.
District Attorney Jerome refused to agree.
He said that the chemists had discovered
SuCn large uudHtitie6 VI CoIioSiNe
that he felt justified in making the charge
of murder. 1t was finally agreed that
formal inquest should be held Wednes-
day morning, Mrs. Wallau meanwhile to
remain in the city prison.
Mr.. Jerome said that If any effort was
made to release her on habeas corpus
he would Immediately take the case before
the grand jury.
Mr. Lauterbach said after the hearing:
Il consider this womans arrest a most
extraordinary thing at this time. That
a motive could be discovered Is most in
credible. Her mother had been brought
home only a short time before after an
operation for cancer, which made her
death inevitable. and her daughters de-
votion to the mother was a topic of con-
versation among friends of the family We
will be ready to proceed on Wednesday
and 1 have no doubt that Mr.. Wallau will
be speedily cleared of this charge
The Prosecutors Theory.
1t is the theory of the prosecutor that
Mrs Wallau administered champagne from
time to time to Mrs. Binge in the course of
treatment. Samples of this champagne
were taken from the bottle, some of the
contents of which Mrs. Wallau had poured
out and were submitted to DR.. Peter T.
Austen chemist for the board of trade,
and to DR.. de Gay. Both physicians re-
ported that in those samples were large
portions of bichloride of mercury, other
wise known as corrosive sublimate
DIR. Samuel Gluck, Mrs. Binge'S phySi-
clan, denied yesterday a report that he
had said when the. case first arose that
while he did not believe the charge against
Mrs. Wallau, possible solution of the
problem. providing she had given Mrs.
Binge the mercury, was that she desired
to put her mother out Of her pain.
The Physicians Statement.
II have made no statement such as that"
he said I'm fact, so far as l know there
was no bichloride of mercury given to Mrs.
Binge. One of the nurses came to me and
told me that Mrs. Wallau was giving her
mother poison. was much surprised, and
in order to make sure / sent some Of the
champagne to p. Jaffe, druggist at 1l41
Lexington avenue to analyze. He returned
the champagne and said 1t contained no
bichloride of mercury. I told the nurse 1
would tell Mr.. Wallau that his wife was
suspected, and 1 did do so. but upon the
nurses request l refrained from speaking
to Mrs. Wallau of the matter"
This, 1t appeared, occurred before the
district attorney was invoked Mrs. Binge
was treated by Arthur Haas. dentist
Her teeth were getting so loose that they
were coming out. DIR. Chuck was asked
If this condition of Mrs. Binge's mouth
could have been produced by dosing with
"Bichloride of mercury would loosen the
teeth" he replied, but it would also have
produced swelling of the gums. and there
was no evidence of this In Mrs. Binge's
mouth.
Many Come With Sympathy.
For several hours yesterday there was q
procession of carriages and automobiles
In front Of the Binge home at IS East
Sth street. They contained friends Of the
family. who called to offer sympathy to Mr..
Wallau and his son. Among those who
came were many persons of social and
financial prominence. The Wallau and
Binge families are related to several OF the
city's weN-known families. and to all these
the DEVELOPMENTS of the last two weeks
have been great shock.
The home is a flve-story brown stone
building In the heart OF the exclusive upper
East Side. Prompted by mere curiosity.
scores Of persons passed through the street
yesterday and gazed at the dwelling and
at the persons going in or out.
Mr.. Wallau and his son are on the verge
Of prostration az q result of the tragedy.
They spent some time with Mrs. Wallau
in the Tombs and then went to their home.
where they denied themselves to callers.
All inquiries were referred to Mr.. Lauter-
bach.