Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-29
Sister Also to Take Stand in
Their Defense.
FOUR JURORS IN THE BOX
Courtroom Crowded Long Before
Judges Ascend Bench.
RECESS TAKEN AT l O'CLOCK
No New Year Recess and Night
Tense to Be Women's Plea.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
MEDIA. Pa, December 29.-Arraigned
side by side in the Delaware county court
house. Mrs. NJ. Florence Erb and her sis
ter. Mrs. Catherine Beisel, faced Judge
Johnson this morning as their attorneys
began the legal battle to save them from
the extreme penalty Of the law, which
the states attorneys aim to bring upon
them for the murder of Capt. ]. Clayton
Erb at his country home Red Gables, at
Village Green the night Of October s.
Both prisoners will go on the witness
stand and tell the whole story of the
Red Gables tragedy. This came to light
this morning. and is the first authorita-
tive statement to that effect.
Soon after the defense opens. Mrs. Erb
and Mrs Beisel will be called as wit
nesses, and will. it is believed, swear
that Erb threatened to shoot one or both
women, called them foul names and or
dered them out of the house.
The district attorney liz prepared for
this and will put the women through a
cross-examinations. as merciless as woman
ever endured.
Night Sessions Probable.
Judge johnson said before court opened
there would be no New Year recess. He
intimated probably there would be night
sessions of court. as the jury would have
to be confined anyhow.
At ten o'clock the large courtroom was
crowded Many women were present as
the crier opened the court of quarter ses-
sions. Both Judges johnson and Bromall
were on the bench. Bromall sitting there
only until the jury is drawn.
District Attorney MacDade and his as
sistant. j. Rohrmann Robinson. were at
the states table. and Rhodes. Frontfield
and Alexander as counsel at the defend
ants.
While the clerk called the jurymen Mrs.
Erb and Mrs Beisei came quietly into
court. Walking as erect as ever she sat
in the saddle over the fences of Delaware
county, Mrs. Erb slipped into a chair be-
pallor on her face, came Mrs. Beise!.
Both women wore black. Mrs. Beisel
carried hand bag. Both were yelled.
although Mrs. Erb's veil permitted a view
of rosy, oval face, crowned with dark
hair.
She carried a heavy bearskin muff. wore
black gloves and black coat. until the
heat of the room made her lay it aside.
She showed some slight evidence of
nervousness, such as the biting of lip
and the clasping of her fingers
Mrs. Beisel sank breathing heavily into
her seat. Her young husband. Harry G.
Beisel, sat close by her side. By his side
sat Mrs. Mary Gibson. stout and middle
aged and black clad, mother of the ac-
cused
Kate Leila Erb and Mary Erb, sisters
of Capt. Erb. came into court and sat
with other women friends of Erb. They
will be called as witnesses.
Mrs. Erb was the best-looking woman
in the courtroom, though there were
many young and pretty ones there, it
being damned to the doors.
Jury Will Be Hard to Pick.
The panel of seventy-five jurymen
was fairly representative, containing the
names of many business men, farmers
and mechanics. 1t was freely predicted
ed out Of this panel.
Nearly two hours were occupied by the
court in clearing the docket of some
minor cases before the Erb case was
called. The clerk then read the indict-
ments. facing the two women who were
How say you and each of you, guilty
or not gulty?'
mot guilty said Mrs. Erb in a de-
liherate, not unmusical voice. Mrs. Bel
sel's reply was almost inaudible.
How will you be tried?'
by God and my country said the
that every syllable was heard in the
farthest corner. Again Mrs. Beisers re-
ply could scarcely be heard.
Examination Of the talesmen then be-
gan.
Both sides frequently challenged jurors
When court took a recess at / o'clocl;
there were only four jurors in the box