The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1908-10-19
a day with her sister, Mrs. Beisel,
brought from q restaurant at Media.

county detective Thomas Berry ana
another police official of Chester
came out with statement that on
entering the house the night of the
killing they found strong evidences
of Erb having been lured from his
room by the women for the attack.
They also said there were EVIL
dences Of the women having swept
up blood stained glass in the cap
tain's room, as IL to conceal the fact
there and to substantiate the story
that the terrific battle of life and
death had occurred entirely in the
hallway after Erb had emerged from
his own room by way of his bathroom,
his own door to the hallway having
been found bolted. The boiling, the
county detective says, he believes was
done by the women. to bear out their
story.
Thinks Erb Was Lured to Death
His entire theory is that the women
had deliberately planned bodily harm
to Erb, as there was evidence, that
Mrs. Beisel had arrived at the Erb
house before the husband and wife
quArreled, instead of being summoned
there by the wife for protection from
Erb.
Another important development of
the day was a hurried trip to this
city from Media of Frank B. Rhodes
and Roger w. Fronefield, attorneys
for the women now in the Media Jail.
Their visit is supposed to be in con-
nection with the settling of the es-
tate of Erb.
But the most significant features
of the day in connection with the
case was the statement of Mrs. Zilli-
gan, as 1t boze directly on the alleged
relations of Erb and his wife, imme-
diately before the tragedy, and is be-
lieved by the authorities to show that
Mrs. Erb had deliberate designs on
her husbands life. Erb's statement
to Mrs. Zilligan, on the Saturday be-
fore he was shot, she says, was az
follows:
"Tried to Poison Me"
"She has tried to poison me, she
even attempted to shoot me, but, with
all her faults, l still love her, even
more than do life, and I would rath-
er face death under the same roof
with her than live apart from her"
That was only four days before his
tragic death, showing his devotion to
his wife, even against the advice of
his closest friends. Erb had dealt
with Mrs. Zilligan at the market for
years..
Mrs. Zilligan's remarkable story OF
the conversation she says she had
with Captain Erb regarding his mar.
ital troubles was considered Of the
utmost Importance by District At.
torney McDade of Delaware county
It supplied another strong bit OF
evidence in that officials opinion, to
sustain his contention that the slain
national guard officer was the victim
Of murder plot. .
Others besides Mrs. Zilligan had al
ready informed Mr.. McDade that Cap
tain Erb had told them that he knew
his life was in constant jeopardy
that he had narrowly escaped being
he met his tragic death, and that, he
had even been fired upon by his wife.
Autopsy Made to Find Poison
An analysis of the contents of a
bottle of mineral water, part of which
Captain Erb nearly drank. by DR.
George H. Meeker, noted pathologist
has revealed the presence of enough
poison to kill several men, while from
an official source it was learned yes
terday that one purpose of the second
autopsy performed upon Captain Erb's
enough of the viscera to determine
whether the poison had not entered
his system.
In making the second autopsy, DR.
William s. Wadsworth and Dr. Thorn
as ]. Morton, both physicians of Cor
oner Jermon's Office, evidently had q
more important task devolving upon
them than merely to determine just
how Captain Erb probably received the
ugly wounds that were discovered
upon his head after his bullet riddled
body was found.
With the utmost care they removed
certain parts of the viscera for chemi-
cal analysis by Dr.. Meeker, Whether
they discovered any traces of poison
could not be definitely ascertained
from them.
Noted Specialist Retained
The Importance the Delaware au-
thorities attach to the poison aspect
Of the case is shown by their retain
ing such prominent pathologist az
DR.. Meeker. Identified with the Medi-
co-Chirurgical college and hospital as
professor of. chemistry, he has al.
ready gained widespread recognition
as an expert upon poisons and their
effect upon the organs and tissues Of
tho body.
On the afternoon of October 3, Cap.
tain Erb. accompanied by friend
visited Mrs. ZilligaHs stall in the
Reading Terminal market and order.
ed quantity of reed birds, peaches
and other delicacies to be sent to his
wife at "Red Cables"
Praises Erh's Generosity
Captain Erb had big heart" Mrs
Zilligan said. Every Christmas he
would have me send as many as fifty
baskets filled with turkeys and other
good things to poor families.
He treated his wife generously, toe
generously, in my opinion, but there
is one thing Of which there can be
no doubt-he loved her until his aw.
full death, he was passionately devot.
ed to her although his friends warn.
ed him. /, myself, warned him thai
IT he didn't keep away from her tina,