Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1910-06-22
PORTLAND TRUNK MURDER
MYSTERY IS SOLVED
Webb and Mrs. KesIer Arralgned on
Charge Of Committing Crime

Within ls hours Of the discovery ia
the baggage room OF the uAion depot
IN this city. OF trunk from which
human blood was oozing, the city de.
tectives have run 70 earth man and
woman whom they charge with the
killing OF w. A. Johnson, whose body
the opening OF the trunk disclosed,
and have secured statement from
the man acknowledging chat be was
responsible. The woman stilI dc.
niles all knowledge 81 the crime.
10 the presence OF Deputy Dis
trlct Attorney J. =. Fitageraid ana
several detectives and newspapermen
Jesse p. Webb. the man under ar
rest, made sworn statement which
was taken down IN shorthand. Thiu
examination occupied something over
two hours and in brief was a. fol.
,nws:
''Killed In seIg Defense
Webb said he killed johnson yes.
terdAy afternoon In self defense dur.
Ing = row which originated from
Johnson's quarrelsome disposition,
which had become intensified through
use OF liquor.
He said after a walk about Port
land. in which he. johnson and Mrs.
Kersh. their companion. visited =
number Of saloons. they went back
TO Johnson's room at the hotel about
! O'Clock. They sent down for more
liquor, and later Webb went 10 hIs
own room.
Says johnson QuaErels0me.
Johnson, he says. followed him and
persisted in Quarreling. ending up by
striking Webb with his fst. johnson
then drew blackjack. Webb says,
and after a scuffle Webb took Il
away and struck johnson over tho
head with II.
II required two or three blows TO
fell Johnson, he said. after which
Webb says be put him on the bed.
Webb stated that be left the room
for half an hour or so, and on his
return found that johnson was dead.
Woman Away ON Errand.
While the quarrel was In progress.
Webb says, Mrs. Kersh was absent.
gone out on an srrand. On
her return. he says, he told her what
had happened. and after they had
talked It over decided that II was
best TO conceal the body In johnson .
trunk.
Webb says he emptied the trunk
out on the bed aud took Il TO HIS
room. Mrs. Kersh in the meantime
going 20 a store to buy a new trunk.
BY the time she had returned Webb
says he had sent Johnson's body to
the depot, where 1t was found.
Printer IN Spokane shops.
Webb says he is q printer By trade.
He was born IN Iowa. is As years old.
and was married to Lena Tor Caro-
incl samuelson at Axteil, Neb. He
lays Mrs. Webb lives at 2i2 Eleventh
venue. Seattle. Wash, with their two
daughters. aged 20 and II years.
He claims to have met Mrs. Kersh |
about six years ago In Seattle and
vent with her to Vancouver. y. O.,
last. where ne worked al
lie trade.
From Vancouver Mrs. Kernh went
o San ranclsco. while Webb says
lie went to Nelson. 3. c.. where be
worked as foreman on the Nelson
Sews.
From Nelson he vent 70 Spokane.
vhere he was Joined BY Mrs. Kersh.
he couple occupying rooms at ssib
Vail street. until sunday, when they
eft for Portland. while in Spokane
e worked in the composing room Of
he spokesman-Review.
johnson FROM Minnesota.
Webb said be knew little or moth
ng OF Johnson. but understood from
lrs. KerHh that be had recently come
0 Spokane from Minnesota. webb
avs he never saw johnson before
uDday last. Though be had heard Of
I'm from Mrs. Kersh during the last
hree weeks Of the stay In Spokane.
During the latter part OF last
reek. Webb says. Mrs. Ksrsh notified
I'm she was going 10 leave him