The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-01-05

Admits She Lived Win Erb For Some
Time Prior 10 Their Marriage. and
That Ais Cruelty Began Before Tina,
Event-settlement For 4 Separation
Was Under Way When lie Was
Killed.
Media Pa. Jan The courtroom
Wa again crowded THIS morning eager
10 hear the testimony Ia the trial OF
Nj Florence N ErD ana Mis- Cath.
zine Hoiael Tor the murder of Captain
Clan ton Erb The cross examination
oi MIS- Erb was gesumcd Oy District
Attorney M,Dadc
lie hurled questions at her which
brought iushes 10 the faces OF the
women spectators. She answered them
unhesitatingll. he sought TO entangle
her in damaging admissions She
fenced with lin like a veteran. lie
endeavored. by introducing trivialitles
for time and then suddenly launch
ing vital question. 10 confuse her. To-
break her down 10 puncmre the won
dertul mask OF stoicism which she had
drawn about herself
In her cross. examination She admit.
ted that she had lived with Erb for
some t'mc prior 60 their marriage and
that his Cru-!'y and barbarous treat
ment had nelun before that event
Asked why she had not left him then
she replied that he had held her up 10
the world as his wife. and she did not
want her mother 10 know the truth
In her direct testimony Mrs Erh
told a STORY of Erh's alleged drunken
fury that made the spectators shud
der. Vile cpithets and the foulest Ian.
guage were the least of her troubles
as she told them. These outbreaks
We're generally accompanied by physi
cal attacks. in which she was kicked
knocked down. dragged by the hair.
beaten with his fists and otherwise
maltrcated. The reason she ascrlbea
for these brutalties was that the cap
tain sought 10 get rid of her without
making financial settlement upon
her. while she submitted TO them
without leaving him because she was
determined that he should support het
The terms of a settlement were under
discussion by their attorneys when the
tragic happening OF oct put an end
20 the negotiations.
Mrs Erb's Story OF the Murder.
Mrs Erb's story Of the night OF the
murder was not shaken under cross
She said
Il went across the hall to the bath
room. heard a bolt slide and thought
the captain was locking up for the
night The very instant | stepped out
! saw the captain rushing toward me
with revolver in his hand.
He shouted at me loudly. You will
get Out of here; III get you out OF
here saw my sister come out of my
room and ! screamed. ran back In the
closet and slammed the door.
The captain screamed something
Ike Nou Lc:e. yan --.' calling her
vile names heard something lunge
against the closet doos then heard
h shot
II couldn't hear anything that was
said But heard this one shot and
then heard a iot OF shots wanted
10 go out couldn't DO it, some way
was terroti1cd thought he would
MI my sister I walked out -"
Mrs Efo's voice broke Attorney
Alexande, brought water Tlcn ne
womai went "a.
And there. on the hall Gcor. saw
the body of the captain. with the h4ad |
against the wall saw hts face in
blood against the door ran straight |
down the stairs 70 teh the servants |
and II was when we came up that : |
'ound my sister unconscious. in my |
room"
Mrs Catherine Reisel. the sister who |
actually shot Captain Erb and who II !
IS contendea did so in se!f-defense. |
will follow Mrs Erb on the stani and |
tell her version of the alleged attack |
IF Captain Erb upon his wife and the
ietails Of her struggle with Erb thai
ended wiki her killing him