The Washington herald., 1909-07-09
KILLED BY BURGLARS
IntruderS Who Shot Wealthy
Woman Captured.
FLATBUsH STIRRED BY CRIME
Under Nerve-rnckinE CrOHs-eIHmi-
nation by Detectives, John Smith
and Karl Giro Confess They Were
Participants in Robbery of Mrs.
Sophia Staber's House.

New York, July s-Mrs. Sophia Staber.
the wife Of George X Staber. president
of the Germania Importing Company.
at Z; Duane street. was shot and killed
by a bullet from a burglars revolver,
in her home al IS East Eighteenth street,
Flatbush
This happened at about 2 o'clock this
morning Seven hours later the police
who began their hunt for the murder
ers ten minutes after Mrs. Staber was
shot, had arrested TWO men. and an hour
later announced that they had obtained
confessions from both men that they had
been concerned in the burglary.
Every policeman on duty Ia Ali the
boroughs was under orders within two
horrs OF the murder to assist IN catch
ing the burglars.
Mrs. staDer was al the door OF her
bedroom, where she was fearfully watch
ing iife-and-death struggle between her
young son, Edward A. Staber. and an
armed burglar. Staber conquered In the
battle and turned the burglars revolver
against him. wounding him In the leg.
One OF the men who are now in the
han1s OF the Police has a bullet wound
IL his leg and another in his arm.
Found Hiding in Bushes.
The wounded man was found hiding
under some bushes Z mile from the Sta
Der home He had neither hat nor shoes
and after admitting that he was one OF
the Sta0er burglars, said that he was
awaiting for a companion 70 bring him
clothes and whisky.
This information pleased the police. for
they had already arrested q man who
had been begging. buying, and borrowing
hats. coats. and shoes ali the morning
In a bundle OF such clothing which was
under the mans arm was found a small
bottle or whisky.
The wounded man said his name was
John Smith and refused 10 tell where he
lived. except that he had recently made
his home IN a lodging house IN lower
Fulton street, Brooklyn. he said he went
70 the staber house with two other men.
Karl Giro and a man named Oscar"
and that he had not entered the house
but had merely acted as lookout"
The admission that he was even the
lookout" under the law, makes the
man just as much guilty OF murder as
those who were inside OF the house. The
man who was caught collecting shoes
was Giro. He refused 70 tell anything
about himself for a long time. After two
hours OF nerve-racking bulldozing By
force detectivss-aRd all this tine John
Smiths wounds were not dressed-the
partial confession OF Giro was obtained.
When Giro and Smith were brought
70 the Flatbush station by Policemen
Kehoe and Moran, Smith was so badlv
wounded that cot was procured for
him, and he was stretched out In the
captains Office
Karl Giro. it was learned. was born
at Trieste, Austria He speaks French.
German, and Italian with equal huency.
W nile he maintains that he Is an Italian.
the police claim that he Is OF German
parentage
Piled with Questions.
When Smith was made comfortable
Inspector Mccafrerty. who had hurried
from New York. and Detective O'Farreu
began TO ply him with questions
You have but short time TO live
Smith. the inspector said, so the best
thing you can do is 10 tell the truth
Now tell me, DO you know this man?'.
pointing 10 Giro
yes, I know him.. Smith replied. His
name is Giro
When did you see him last?" the de-
tective asked
II saw him at o'clock this morning at
the Staber home" Smith answered.
Smith then said ne and Giro had gone
TO the house for the purpose OF robbing
Il and when a coat found in the house
after the murder was held up TO the gaze
OF the two prisoners. Giro broke his ST.
lence by instantly claiming It.
AfcCafferty then asked the men who
fired the shot which killed Mrs. Staber.
Neither would admit firing It. Two pairs
Of shoes were shown 10 the prisoners
and these they also claimed.
Assistant District Attorney Elder an
nounced to-day he had already begun
Serving subpOenas on everybody who
could give evidence against the two men
under arrest. He expects 70 take the
case before the grand jury tomorrow.