The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1910-12-22
TOBETR|EDAGAIN
YOUNG MAN SERVING LIFE SEN
TENCE is BEING TRIED
AT STURGlS
Did NOT KILL SWEETHEART
Has Always Declared His Sweetheart
Took His Revolver From Him
and Ended Life by Her
Own Hand

Sturgis-one of the most interesting
murder trials to take place in South
Dakota this year will be the new trial
OF Oscar Jacobs, a young man who
is serving a life term in the Sioux
Falls p~enitentiary for the murder OF
his sweetheart, Miss Elba Roberts,
which was begun in the state circuit
court Of Meade county last Tuesday.
Jacobs, several days ago was taken
from the penitentiary TO Meade county
so he would be able to consult with
the attorneys whom he engaged TO
represent him at the new trial and
prepare for his defense. In the event
that the jury again Convicts him he
will Immediately be brought back to
the ~penitentiary.
Ja,obs is charged with having at
| about $50 o'clock on the evening o
January IS, 1903, fired the shot which
killed Miss Roberts. StUrgis W S tie
scene of the killing. The girl met her
death in the MILNE establishment
of Mrs. John f. White, where n was
employed. Jacobs and the girl wee
alone in the front part Of the bui d.
ing at the time, hut the shot was
heard by persons in the rooms ba"k
Of TIE millinery establishment an b.
others who were passing along the
sidewalk in front Of the h'ild ng.
As soon as it was realized tfat the
young woman had been shot and kl /
ed tie excitement became intense, and
for a time IN obs was in danger or
being lynched.
The dead girl was not quite 10 years
OF ape and went 10 Stur~'s about SIX
months before her tra"ia death and
entered the employ of Mrs Waite, m
tending to learn the millinery tra'e
At the time Oscar Jacobs was on Y "a
years of age. He arrived at Sturg s
less than three weeks before the deatl
of Miss Roberts, coming from Steele,
S. d.
He was a suitor for the hand OF the
Girl having known her several yeas
before either went TO Stur0is The
theory Of the authorities always Ia
heen that because his habits bad be-
come such as to meet with tie strong
disapproval Of the girl she had ref Sc
tn marry him. or have ANYTHING fu"-
ther to do with him. and that when
she SO informed him in the millinery
store ne shot and killed her.
One Of the important witnesses 70"
the prosecution at the first trial. as
he will be at the new t~ial with s
10 commence Tuesday. was John r
White husband Of the woman b.
whom Miss ROBERTS was employed.
White, whO wa IN the living apart
mcnts Of himself and wife a"d Wis
Roberts. in the rear Of the b'fdnT
was suddenly aroused bv a scream. a
shot and a noise as though someone
had fallen. Running into the front
room he found the hOdv Of tie vi
on the floor and Jacobs standing near
bv The weaOon Law on the floor.
When searched Jacobs had in 10
pocket nothing hut a ~pOCEetk0i @
With was taken from him. That he
rontemp' ated committing suicide was
Indicated bv the fact that three tme'
while being taFcn 10 iail he demand
ed that the knife be returned TO him
Al his first trial Jacobs ALLEGED thai
the eirI took the gun from his POCKET
snd shot herop'f. II is believed ia
at the new trial the same sort Of a
defense will he made aN1 an eff'r'
made to convince The jurv that I've
girl secured possession Of tNC anon
and shot herself. ard that J9cohs was
in no wav roenonsible for the TRACE
death Of the girl.
Jacobs first trial took pace in June
Of last year and resulted in his CON
viction and the imposing of a Il c
s%entenCe.