Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-07


lice say she made late last night, in
which she admitted having killed her
brother-in-law.
Detectives reached the house this after
noon. 1t is expected the widow will be
taken to Jail as soon as she recovers dner
composure sufficiently to stand the trip.
It is said Mrs. Beisel was in the house
not longer than ten minutes before the
shooting occurred.
The killing of Capt. Erb, trusted lieu
tenant and confidential man of Israel
w. Durham, former leader Of the local
republican organization, has caused SEN
sation in this city.
He was extremely well known in all
walks of life in this city and had many
friends throughout the state.
Owing to the lateness of the hour when
the tragedy. occurred and the remote
ness of Red Gables, the Erb country
home, details of the shooting were slow
in coming out.
Capt. Erb and his wife had had con-
siderable domestic trouble of late, their
differences becoming SO serious that they
finally reached the Delaware county
courts Each accused the other of un-
becoming conduct
Divorce Proceedings Anticipated.
1t was expected that divorce proceed
ings would ultimately be instituted by
troubles they continued to live at Red
Gables and quarrels were frequent.
According to the confession the police
ascribe to Mrs Beisel. she heard an
exchange of angry words on the second
floor and on going up the stairs found
Erb beating his wife. Whether Mrs. Bel
sci had the revolver with her at the time
or ran into her bedroom and got it was
not stated.
According to her story. as related by the
officials on the case. Erb turned from his
wife and started to attack her. Fear
ing for her life, she pointed the revolver
at him and fired.
She emptied every bullet of the cham
Der. four entering Erb's body. He stag
gered and fell in his tracks.
Coachman Calls in Police.
A servant downstairs at the time heard
the shots and. running up to the second
floor. found Erb's body lying in a heap.
-Four bullets had been fired into the body.
The servant aroused Eugene Poulson. a
colored coachman who some time ago
was accused by Mrs. Erb of being a spy
in her husbands employ.
Poulson, who was recently indicted at
the instance of Mrs. Erb for threatened
assault, was the first to spread the alarm
when the shooting was discovered. Ac-
cordng to his story. he was sleeping in
the coachman's house, nearby. when Mrs.
BeiSel aroused him by crying out capt
Erb has been shot.
PouIson ran breathleSs to nearby viii
lage and at midnight aroused the officials
and hurried them back to the scene of the
tragedy.
"Clayt" Erb, as he was Familiarity
known, had been a prominent figure in
republican political affairs of this city
and state since the ascendancy of his
friend, Israel w. Durham. beginning in
1895 and eliminating with the retirement
OF Durham in 1905. because of poor
health.
Marriage Was Disastrous.
Capt Erb was about ffty-two years old.
Until his marriage two years ago he had
been regarded by his friends as con-
firmed bachelor.
His wife was a widow. Mrs. W. G.
Rothermel The news of the marriage
caused great surprise.
Capt. Erb had accumulated a comfort
able fortune through his connection with
the state insurance department. Soon
a large. rambling country house with a
farm of 12O acres adjoining. Here he en-
joyed the life OF country gentleman.
His happiness did not last long, how
ever. Mrs. Erb, who is an expert horse
Woman. Joined the fox-hunting set of
Delaware county. There were frequent
chickering's between the pair. largely be-
cause of the wife's fondness for horses
and dogs. eliminating recently in court
proceedings and threats Of divorce on both
sides.
Mrs. Beisel was active in her sisters
defense. There was a great display of
bitterness between her and Capt Erb.