The evening world., 1908-10-09
Widow of Slain Politician Held
as Accessory to Murder
Closely Guarded
FEARS FOR HER REASON.
She Tears Strip From Dress
and Tries to Strange Herself
PLANS of Defense.

PHILADELPHIA, oct e.-Hyster-
icaly raving that she did not shoot her
husband Mrs. j. Clayton Erh is closely
guarded to-day In her cell in the pea-
ware County jail, following an attempt
at suicide. Prison officials admit that
last night the widow twisted a part OF
her Undertaking into a rope and tried
to strange herself
She was discovered before she had
done herself serious injury, hut since
her attempt was frustrated she has be-
come violent. and fears are entertained
for her reason. For hours at a time
size shreks and calls upon her sister
for aid
Il didn't shoot C'ayt. I never shot
him." is Mrs. Erb's one cry.
The most important development in
the tragedy is tie assertion that the
autopsy shows Erh was probably dead
before Mrs. Catherine Beisel. his sister,
in-law. fired the six shots from Mrs.
Ero revolver into his body. 1t is now
SAID the sister confessed shortly after
the murder that Mrs. Erb, in her rage,
threw a heavy jardiniere al her hus-
band, cutting the great cash found in
his head by the surgeons. Medical op!n-
ion is that the captain was unconscious
If not dead from this wound when the
pistol shots were fired
Say Poison Was Tried.
1t will be charged by the prosecution
that attempts had been made TO poison
Erb and that the shooting was decided
on when Mrs. Erb and her sister learned
that Prof. Meeker, analytical chemist
Of the University Of Pennsylvania, had
found poison in a bottle given to him
by Capt. Erb few weeks ago
II is claimed that Mrs. Erb tried to
persuade her husband to drink from this
bottle. The police allege that after this
discovery Mrs. Erb and her sister met
in the Village Green Hotel Tuesday
night two hours before the shooting and
deliberately planned the murder They
say that after this conference Mrs. Erb,
while her sister was waiting al the ho-
tel, ran to Red Gables and tainted Erb
until he was frenzied. Then, the police
claim. Mrs. Erb telephoned 10 the hotel
that her husband was about to kill her,
and Mrs. Beisel hurried over and the
shooting followed.
Both to Be Accused.
1t was shown to-day that the whole
powers Of the police and political organi-
cations Of this city are TO be used
against the two women despite the fact
that the case lies in Delaware County.
Israel w. Durham, Erbs old friend and
the boss" OF Philadelphia, is taking an
active personal part in the prosecution.
As forcasted In The Evening World yes
terday 1t was said positively to-day that
both Mrs. Erb and her sister will be
tried as principals in the murder. ].
Rohrman Robinson, Assistant District
Attorney of Delaware County, said to-
day:
Mrs. Erb is at present hold as an ac-
oessory. In the present status OF the
case the evidence against both women
will have to be presented to the Grand
Jury at the December term"
All the energies Of the defense are TO
be concentrated on clearing Mrs. Erb
from completely in the murder An i'm
portant step toward removing suspicion
from her was taken to-day when it was
announced by W. Rogers Froneheld, her
counsel, that it was the wife and not
the husband who tore sleeve almost
out Of Mrs. Be.sel's waist
II is said that Mrs. Belsel still admits
she shot Erb, bur viii rely on the two
fold defense of temporary insanity and
self-pIescrVation to save her from con-
victon. Froncheld VIII offer evlqenc q
That Mrs Eru '-ied 10 stop aer SISTER
when the SHOOTING vas in progress, that
In the attempt 10 do So she caught Mrs.