The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1909-08-20

the loss Of her children, evidently be-
lieves she done right. s.
Just Out Of Asylum.
The woman was released from the
state insane asylum at Fergus Falls
July 3, and returned to her home
near Tabor. Since that time she has
been perfectly sane aud the home
has been happy. Even the neighbors
have remarked of late on the great
change in Mrs. Straus. She. had been
at the asylum once before but at no
time was her condition very serious
and as she always showed the great
est affection for her children moth
ing like what occurred Thursday
was expected. =,
Mr.. Straus renting the farm which
he occupied. He is about 80 years old
and has lived In this section for some
time. He resided at Euclid at one
time, then at Sherack and during the
past three years has rented the farm
he now occupies.
Coroner on Scene.
s Coroner Stenshoel Of Crookston
and Chief of Police Ellingson Of East
Grand Forks went to the 9traus home
last evening at o'clock. Coroner
Stenshoel decided that no inquest
E*as necessary and seeing that the
woman was left 10: proper care re-
turned to the city and turned the
matter over to the officials.
Sheriff Daniels arrived in East
Grand Forks this morning and was
given q warrant from the municipal
court Of that city for the arrest of
Mrs. StraAs on the charge of, infan-
ticide.
Kissed Her Dead Babies.
Sheriff Daniels, Chief of Police Ell
lingson and Frank Kluzak left East
Grand Forks this morning in an auto
mobile, returning with Mrs. Straus
at o'clock this afternoon. Sheriff
Daniels stated that before leaving her
home Mrs Straus kissed the little
ones she killed. not seeming to real
ize then what she had done. On the
road, however, she talked of what
had happened and admitted she killed
the children. =
Upon arriving in East Grand Forks
Mrs. Straus was taken to the city hall
where she has been all afternoon in
the lobby, just outside the jail, and
talked to q number of friends In East
Grand Forks who know her we'll. Her
husband remained at the farm home
with the three children, too grief
stricken to accompany his wife to
East Grand Forks, but stating that
he would come this evening. Frank
Straus, the woman's brother-in-law,
accompanied the sheriff's party to the
city. .r
In an interview this afternoon Mrs.
Straus admitted to a Times represen-
tative that she killed the children,
adding that she wished she had killed
the other three children and taken
her own life. Mrs. Straus was at
tired in black satin skirt and waist
and looked perfectly sane. She Is q
small woman and did not appear at
all like one Who would commit any
such ghastly deed. She talked very
rational, only breaking down now and
then and weeping bitterly over the
terrible affair.
4 Mrs. Straus stated that her parents
reside at Thief River Falls, her faith
er's name being Martin Bartsch. She
said that the neighbors had said that
her children were crazy and that
they could not do anything. and gave
that as her reason for committing the
rash deed.
Neighbors Talked, She Says.
In reply to the question Of how
long she had been married Mrs.
Straus said twelve years and that she
lived at keystone prior to her mar
riage. She said she overheard some
neighbors who were near the place
yesterday saying that she would soon
be without home. but that it did
not matter as both her and the chill
dren were crazy.
That lonesomeness IL evidently the
cause of her insanity 10 assured by
the fact that she said she used to like
it at Tabor until lately. although
crops were good and the future
seemed bright. Hertchildren were of
the best and never troubled her.
;ss Yes, On o Board. =
Z AT this point the reporter asked IL
there was any trouble Thursday with
the children .:,.
Mrs. straus answered mo-
did you put their head on q
block?" was the reporters query.
Eyes, on q board" replied the wo-i
man. 81
The axe that was used was then
~ q q - t.