Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-10-07
why MRS. BE|SEL
KILLED CAPT. ERB.
-------------.-----------
Claims if She Hadn't Acted First
He Would Have
Shot Her.
PUT FOUR BULLETS INTO HIM
She Mas His Sistcr-in- Law---TraScdy
elimination of Family
Troubles.

flilldIeipHld, ocl.. i.--l lie hlIiiHS at
his country home near here last night
of capt. j. Clayton Erb, trusted lieu
tenant and confidential man of. Israel
W. Durham, former leader of the local
Republican organization, caused a sem
sntion III this City. Capt. El'b was shot
dead by his sist.er-in-law. Mrs. RATHER
inc Beisel. during quarrel over do
nestle affairs. Owing to the lateuess
of the hour when the tragedy occurred
and the remoteness of Red Gables.
the Erb country home, details of the
shooting We're slow In coming out.
Capt. Erb and his wife had mad con-
siderable domestic trouble, their differ
ences becoming so serious that they
finally reached the Delaware courts,
Each accused the other OF unbeconlingl
conduct and IT. was expected that d..
vorce proceedings would ultimately be
instituted by one or the other. Not
withstanding their troubles they con-
tinued ito live at Red Gables.
Mrs. Reisal who is in Jail, said to-
day she shot Erb because she believed
ne intended to kill her. Thinking it
was only a question who struck first.
she declares, she aimed the revolver at
her brother-in-aw and fired. Six shots
were fired at Erb, four entering his
body and two bullets striking a wall.
After Erb fell Mrs. Reisel went to a
telephone and called upsa physician at
Village Green who responded imme-
diately When he arrived he found
Erb dead.
The four bullets We're removed by a
coroner's physician today. The inquest
will be held tonight. MIS-. Erb Is I'M
der surveillance at her home as wit
ness.
Mo- paiSal a, pro g har ruaton1 hen
visiting her sister, stayed at a nearby
hotel The woman's hat and pocket
book were found at the hotel today, iu-
dicatng, the police say, that she had
gone TO her sisters home ina hurry.
According to Mrs. Belsel she heard an
exchange of angry words on the second
floor and on going up the stairs found
Erb beating his wife. According to
her story, as related to the officials on
the case. Erb turned from his wife
and started to attack her, and fearing
for her life, she fired.
A servant down stairs heard the shots
and running TO the second floor, found
Erb's body lying In a heap. The se"-
want aroused Eugene Poulsen col
:ored coaclmnn who some time ago was
c,Isea hy Mrs Erb of being a spy
in her husbands employ.
Poulson. who was recently indicted
ar the instance of Mrs Erb for threat
alarm when the shooting was discov-
cred.
According to his story he was sleep
ing in the coachmun's house. near by,
when Mrs. Beisel aroused him by cry
Ing out: Capt. Erb has been shot!
Poulson ran breathless to nearby vii
lage and at midnight aroused the Off
tcials and hurried back 20 the scene OF
the tragedy.
CLAY I. Erb.' as he was Familiarity
known, had been prominent figure
in the Republican political affairs of
this city and state since the ascendency
of his friend Israel w. Durham, be-
ginning in 1895. and eliminating with
the retirement of Durham in 1905, be-
cause of poor health.
Capt. Erb was about 81 years of age
and until his marriage two years ago
had been regarded by his friends as
confirmed bachelor. His wife was
widow. Mrs. W. G. Rothernel, and the
news of the marriage caused great
surprise. Capt. Erb had accumulated
comfortable fortune through his con-
nection with the state insurance de-
fpartment and soon after his marriage
be bought Red Cables a large rambl-
ing country house with a farm of 100
acres adjoining and here he enjoyed the
life of a country gentleman. Ills hap
pness did not last long, however, as
Mrs. Erb, who Is an expert horse
waman, Joined the fox hunting set or
Delaware county and there were fire.
ouent chickering's between the pair.
largely because of the wife's fondness
for horsese and dogs. eliminating re
Gently in court proceedings and threats
of divorce on both sides.
Mrs. Beisel was active in her sisters
defense and there was Il great display
OF bitterness between her and Capt. Erb'