The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-30
I'LL KILL THAT MAN,
HER MOTHER CRIES
Acquittal of Policeman of
Reig Murder Causes ORA
matte Scene.

NEW YORK. July 81 will kill that
man, so surely as I am alive
That threat. shouted by the aged
mother Of Barbara Reig in the court
room. when a coroner's jury branded
the girl who was shot dead in Irving
Square Park. a suicide. and exonerated
Policeman David Shellard, has resulted
in a double police guard being placed
over the woman today.
1t was a dramatic scene when the
verdict was announced. Shellard, who
had admitted being with the girl at
her death, was in one corner Of the
court room, surrounded by a score Of
police. who have strained every nerve
10 protect him. and in another corner
were the mother and sister Of the dead
girl and her hance. Arthur Hack.
When the jury foreman announced the
verdict, the policemen crowded about
Shellard. hugging and cOngratulating
him. For a moment the other group
seemed stunned, then Mrs. Thompson,
sister OF the Reig girl. leaped to her
feet, screaming as she pointed at Shell
ard:
you murderer, you murderer" The
mother also started toward the police
man, and, raising her hand above her
head. shrieked:
II will kill that man so surely as I
am alive
Such excitement ensued that Coroner
Brewer feared a riot and ordered the
court room cleared.
Testimony Not Considered
The verdict Of the coroner's jury was
given despite the testimony of a wOm-
an, who declared that Barbara Reig
had told her that SheHard had threat
eued TO kill her, and OF DR.. Samuel
Hubbard. who declared II impossible
that the girl. as the police contend, had
fired the not that slew her with Shell
ards revolver.
In the sitting room Of her humble
home at $50 Maujer street, Brooklyn,
Mrs. Reig. who is a mldcle-aged ger ger
man housewife, with a strong, hne
mOtherly face that bears in its features
lines OF lffering and hardship, spoke OF
Barbara as the good, kind, helpful
again that it was utterly impossible Tor
the girl 20 have killed herself.
Mother Says Murder"
Barbara was a cheerful. hopeful
girl" she said, who had every reason
for wanting to live. She was to become
IN the fall the wife OF a good, nard-
working man whom she loved. and was
nj the time Of her dean working Upon
her wedding clothes. She was her usual
cheerful self upon the night that she
left our house never to return
Her clothes show signs of a stTug-
gle Her shirt waist was torn of her
with the hooks sticking into the eyes.
There was a great rent at the neck
She had dressed in her best clothes On
that rainy, disagreeable night becaUse
she said she intended going 10 a party
and as she was a careful, frugal girl
she never would have destroyed her
clothing in such a manner" continued
the mother
My heart is dead; I am broken IN
spirit My poor girl lies IN her grave
and the police department Of this city
seems TO be doing all in its power to
shield the man who is accused OF her
death. She never committed suicide. A
mother knows the nature Of her child.
Barbara was never dOwncast She was
buoyant, cheerful. and wanted 10 live
She was looking forward with great
JOY 10 her fast approaching wedding
day. All, IL is so terribly false these
stories that the police have told Of sui
cidei Nay the God of the fatherless
and Of the widow help me TO prove that
my daughter was murdered he Will,
I know