The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-07
Shot to Death by His Sister.in-
Law at His Home.
REVOLVER EMPTIED.
Four Shots Take Effect Caus.
ing Instant Death.
His Slayer Says She Fired i'm
Self Defense.

Philadelphia, Oct. THE killing at
his country home near here last night
of Captain ]. Clayton Erb, trusted lieu
tenant and confidential man of Israel
w. Durham, former leader of the local
Republican organization, caused a SEN
sation in this city. Captain Erb was
shot dead by his sister-in-law, Mrs.
Katherine Beisel. during quarrel over
domestic affairs. Owing to the lateness
of the hour when the tragedy occurred
and the remoteness of RED Gables, "the
Erb country home. details of the shoot
ing were slow in coming out.
Captain Erb and his wife had had
considerable 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
mately be instituted by one or the 9TH
er. Notwithstanding their troubles they
continued to live at Red Cables
Mrs. Beisel, who is in Jail, said to-
day she shot Erb because she believed
he intended to kill her. Thinking it
was only question 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 bullets striking a wall.
After Erb fell Mrs. Beisel went to
telephone and called up a physician at
Village Green who responded immedi-
ately. When he arrived he found Erb
dead.
The four bullets were removed by a
coroner's physician today. The inquest
will be held tonight. Mrs. Erb is un-
der surveillance at her home as a wit
ness.
Mrs. Beisel, as was her custom when
visiting her sister, stayed at a nearby
hotel. The womah's hat and pocket
book were found at the hotel today, in
dicating, the police say that she had
gone to her sisters home in a hurry.
According 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. 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.
Servants Aroused.
A servant downstairs heard the
shots, end running to the second floor
found Erb's body lying in a heap. The
servant aroused Eugene Poulson,
colored coachman who sometime ago
was accused by Mrs. Erb of being
spy in her husbands employ.
Poulson who was recently indicted
at the instance of Mrs. Erb for threat
ened assault was the first to spread
the alarm when the shooting was dis
covered. According to his story he
was sleeping in the coachman's house
nearby, when Mrs. Beisel aroused him
by crying out Captain Erb has been
shot, Poulson ran breathless to a
nearby village and at midnight arous-
ed the officials and hurried back to
the scene of the tragedy.
"Clayt Erb.' as he was familiarly
known, had been prominent figure
in the Republican political affairs of
this city and state since the ascend
ancy of his friend Israel w. Durham
beginning in 1895, and eliminating
with the retirement of Durham in
1905, because of poor health.
Captain Erb was about So years old
and until his marriage two years ago,
had been regarded by his friends as
confirmed bachelor. His wife was a
widow, Mrs. w. G. Rothermel, and
the news of the marriage caused great
surprise Captain Erb had accumu-
lated a comfortable fortune through
his connection with the state insurance
department and soon after his mar
riage he bought RED Gables" large
rambling country house with farm
Of 12O acres adjoining and here he
enjoyed the life of country gentle
man. His happiness did not last long,
however, as Mrs. Erb, who is an ex-
pert horsewoman, Joined the Fox
Hunting set of Delaware county and
there were 1ICQuSiL OlChCAlh5S OC-
tween the pair, largely because of the
wife's fondness for horses and dogs,
eliminating recently in court pro-
ceedfngs and threats of divorce on
both sides.
Mrs. Beisel was active in her sisters
defense and there was a great display
of bitterness between her and Captain
Erb.
Will Arrest the Widow.
Philadelphia, Oct. 7.-As the result
of an investigation today District At
torney Meade has deemed it neces-
sary to order the arrest of Mrs. Clay
ton T. Erb, whose husband was shot
and killed late last night at the Erb
country home near Glen Riddle, Pa.
This was done because it is said Mrs.
Katharine Beisel, Mrs. Erb's sister,
had repudiated an alleged confession
the police say she made late last
night in which she admitted having
killed her brother-in-law. Detectives
reached the house this afternoon and
ii is expected the widow will be taken
to tail as soon as she RECEIVERS her
composure sufficiently to stand the
trip. 1t is said Mrs. Beisel was in the
house not longer than 10 minutes be-
for the shooting occurred.
Shortly before noon today Mrs. Beisel
COLLAPSED and swooned. AS soon as she
was somewhat Gained District Attor-
ney McDade attempted to secure a
fuller statement of the shooting from
her. 1t was then that she repudiateG
her confession and at this point the
district attorney ordered the arrest of
Mrs. Erb. 1t was brought out in the
investigation that 1t was the wife's
pistol which had been used. The
weapon was found in Mrs. Erb's room.
An autopsy was held on the body of
Captain Erb this morning. Later
former Senator Durham expressed the
belief that the murder was premedi-
tated. He expressed a determination