The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1908-12-29
MRS. ERb AND HER
SISTER PLEAD IN
CROWDED COURT
Mrs. Beisel Weeps as She An
swers Not Guilty to Charge
of Numbering Capt. Erb.

MEDIA, Pa, Dec. 2s.--Nfrs NJ. Flor
ence Erb and her sister Mrs. Catherine
Beisel were placed on trial in the Della
ware County Court here to-day. charged
with the murder OF Mrs Erb's husband.
Capt. j. Clayton Erb at his country
home, Red Gables. near Village Green.
on the night OF Oct. 6. Capt. Erb. who
was secretary to Israel w. Durham, the
Republican leader of Philadelphia, and
also a well-known National G,mrdsman.
was shot during quarrel in which Mrs.
Erb and Mrs Beisel participated.
Mrs. Beisel Is charged with having
fred the shot that killed tho captain,
but both she and Mrs Erb have been
jointly and separately indicted on a
charge Of murder
Accused Her Sister.
Mrs. Erb. 1t is alleged. Quarrelled with
her husband and summoned to her
home from n nearby hosiery Mrs
Be!sel. although Capt. Erb had served
notice on his sister-in-law not to come
to the house. When Mrs. Belsel en-
tered Red Gables there was a
wrangle and shortly thereafter SER
wants heard the crashing of glass and
five revolver shots.
Mrs. Erb. who sent for assistance
after the shooting, said her sister had
shot Capt. Erb. who was found lying
dead in the hall near his bedroom with
three bullets In his body. Mrs. Besel
admitted firing the shots, but declared
she did so in self-dafense.
Since the shooting Mrs. Beisel has
been in jail. but Mrs. Erb has been out
on bail. having secured her release on
habeas corpus, Mrs. Erb was well
known 20 patrons of horse shows,
where she rode and was recognized as
a clever horsewoman. Mrs. Beisel's
husband is a trainman on the PhiIadel-
phia and Reading Railroad.
Mother Greets Prisoners.
The courtroom was crowded long be-
fore the principals In the trial had ar
rived. many prominent men In political
life in Delaware County and Philadel-
pha being present. Among the early
arrivals We're Mrs. Mary Gibson. mother
of the defendants. who came from her
home in Philadelphia with Harry Beisei.
the husband of Mrs. Beisel. They ex-
pressed every confidence that the trial
would result In the freedom Of the two
women.
When Mrs. Erb CAME in with her
sister, Mrs. Beisel. tale aged mother en-
tered the Enclosure reserved for counsel
and affectionately kissed her daughters.
Mrs. Erb sobbed, while Mrs. Beisel was
apparently unmoved-
The list Of seveaty-five talesmen from
which the jury ia being selected is COM
posed of farmers. laborers. mechanics.
statesmen, several bankers and poliu-
clans.
At II o'clock with Judges Isaac John
son and william B. Broomall on the
bench District Attorney Macdade ad.
dressed the Court, declaring everything
in readiness for the trial.
THE defendants are jointly and sepa-
ratel- charged with murder" he said
"and go to trial on tha same bill OF In
| dictment."
Indictment charging that the defendants
| "feloniously, wilfuliy and with malice
aforethought" killed Capt. Erb.
| How say you. each of you, guilty OF
not guilty." he asked in solemn tones.
MOT guilty" replied Mrs. Erb In a
Mrs. Beisel had been weeping and her
voice was choked as she made answer
almost inaudibly, Not guilty"
The selection of the jury was then
I'D to $50 p. NJ. nine Jurors had been
chosen and 1t was expected 1t would be
| completed before court adjourned for
the day.