Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-08
ARREST WIFE OF
MURDERED MAN
MRS. CLAYTON ERB WILL HAVE
TO EXPLAIN
Sister Repudiates Confession of Mys.
- terious Crime, and Investigation
Leads to Suspecting of
Widow
IBy Associated Press.l

| PHILADELPHIA, Oct. THE kill
ing at his country home near here last
night of Capt. j. Clayton Erb, trusted
lieutenant and confidential man of Is
rael w. Durham, formerly leader oi
the local Republican organization, has
caused a great sensation.
Owing to the lateness of the hour
when the tragedy occurred, and the
| remotenesS of Red Gables, the Ert
country home, details of the shooting
were slow in coming out.
Capt. Erb and his wife had had con-
siderable domestic trouble, their diff
ferences becoming so serious that they
finally reached the Delaware county
courts. Each accused the other of un-
becoming conduct, and it was expected
that divorce proceedings would ulti-
nately be instituted by one or the
other. Notwithstanding their troubles,
they continued to live at Red Gables.
Mrs. Katherine Beisel, his sister-in-
law, said today she shot Erb because
she believed he intended to kill her."
Thinking it was only a question of who
struck first, she declares, she aimed the
revolver at her brother-in-law and
fired. Six shots were fired at Erb, four
entering his body and two striking the
wall.
After Erb fell Mrs. Beisel went to a
telephone and called up a physician at
ately. When he arrived he found Erb
dead.
The four bullets were removed by a
coroner's physician today
Mrs. Erb meanwhile was under sur
veillance at her home. Mrs. Beisel, as
was her custom, when visiting her sis
ter, stayed at a nearby hotel. The
woman's hat and pocketbook were
found at the hotel today. indicating
| the police say, that she had gone to hel
sisters home in hurry.
Heard a Quarrel
| According to Mrs. Beisel she heart
an exchange of angry words on the
second floor, and on going up the stair:
found Erb beating his wife. According
to her story, as related to the officials
Erb turned from his wife and started
to attack her, and fearing for her life
she fired.
AS the result of long investigation
District Attorney McDade has deemed
it necessary to order the arrest of Mrs.
Clayton T. Erb, whose husband was
shot and killed last night at the Erh
| country home, near Glen Riddle, Pa,
This was done because it is said Mrs.
Beisel later repudiated an alleged con-
fession.
Detectives reached the house this af-
| ternoon and it is expected the widow
Will DC NdhCH " jul do cOOll do oiiO AO
| covers her composure sufficiently to
stand the trip.
Had Been in House
| 1t is said Mrs. Beisel was in the
house not longer than ten minutes be-
fore the shooting occurred.
Shortly before noon today Mrs. Beisel
collapsed and swooned. As soon as she
was somewhat calmer, District Attor-
ney McDade attempted to secure a
fuller statement of the shooting from
her. 1t was then that she repudiated
| her confession and at this point the
district attorney ordered the arrest of
Mrs. Erb. 1t was brought out in the
| investigation that it was the wife's pis-
tol which had been used. The weapon
was found in Mrs. Erb's room.
An autopsy was held on the body of
Capt. Erb this morning Later, for
mer Senator Durham expressed the be-
lief the murder was premeditated. He
expressed a determination to prosecute
the slayer to the limit.