New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-04-19


The fate Of Albert W. Wolter. charged with
the murder of Ruth Wheeler. were Sc
lected yesterday I'm the Court of General
Sessions. where Woter is on trial 1t is
expected that the jury box will be filed to-
day, and the first witness may be called
late this afternoon.
Wallace d. Scott. VOTERS lawyer. de-
layed the selection of jurors by his exami-
nations of fOrty-seven talesmen. He used
up twenty-five of the thirty peremptory
challenges allowed to him by the law.
WOlter advised his lawyer in the selection
of the men and at the end OF the session
seemed well pleased with the days work.
Mr. Scott was disappointed by the panel
of talesmen. as he had hoped there would
be more young men and not so many
who had families. In his challenges he re-
minded the talesmen that one OF the prin
cipal witnesses for the state would be
Hatcher MILLER. the woman who lived with
Wolter until he was arrested in connection
with the disappearance Of Ruth Wheeler.
In the process of eliminating talesmen IT
was also brought out by the defence that
the prosecution would be called on to
establish beyond a doubt the identity OF
the body found on the fire escape adjoining
the apartment at No. pa East 18th street.
where Wolter and Hatcher Muller lived.
Judge Hastens Procedure.
After the rollcan Of the talesmen was
completed Judge Warren W. Foster said he
understood the trial would not be a long
one. and that he would receive only legal
excuses from the men who had been sum-
moned. Then he ordered the stenographer
to ask the first three questions. which re-
lates to name. age and occupation of the
talesmen. and the fourth. whether or not
the talesman believes in capital punish
ment
William V. kulp. a structural engineer.
who lives at No. 80 West 124th street, was
the first talesman who met with the ap-
prevail of Wolter. Frank Moss. the AS
sistant District Attorney, in charge of the
prosecution, passed the talesman over to
Mr.. Scott for further examination. Mr..
Kulp said then that he did not exactly
believe in the death penalty. Then he said
that he knew of no reason why he could
not give the defendant a fair hearing
After the Juror had satisfied the court
that any opinion which he had formed
could be removed by evidence, Mr.. Scott
consulted with his client. Wolter regarded
the witness as favorable. He inquired about
the talesman's family, and then urged his
acceptance
Mr. Scott used up FIVE peremptory chaI-
lenges before Charles X Harris, the song
writer. was called. Wolter listened in
tently to the examination of the talesman.
and then whispered to L. H. Saper. who
is helping in his defence that the man
would make a good Juror.
Juror Has Two Daughters.
Mr. Harris said that he had two daugh-
ters. thirteen and fifteen years old. He
added that his mind was open on the ques-
ton of the murder of Ruth Wheeler. and
that he would give the defendant a fair
trial Wolter appeared satisfied with Mr..
Harris. who was accepted as juror No. 2
A number Of talesmen were rejected be-
fore Francis Hagen. the president of the
Hagen Manufacturing Company. at No. 4eS
East 18th street was called. He said that
he had formed an opinion. but would dis
card 1t IL sworn as juror. After Mr..
Scott had consulted with Wolter. he asked
Mr.. Hagen If he would give the defendant
the benefit of a reasonable doubt Judge
Foster prompted If the court so directs"
Mr. Hagen was then accepted. and a recess
was taken until 2 O'Clock in the afternoon.
Henry T. Van Pelt. employed as a man
ager bN the metropolitan Lie insurance
Company. qualified as the fourth Juror.
His appearance and the answers which he
gave to Mr.. SCOTS questions led wolter 10
think he would be acceptable.
The selection Of William ]. Campbell, Of
No. 216 West nth street. took up little
time Mr.. Campbell said he had peculiar
views Of punishment of any kind" This
pleased Wolter. and when Mr. Campbell
explained that he would obey the Law re-
CARELESS of his opinion and that he would
bring I'm q verdict according TO the evil
dence he was accepted as juror No. s
a number of talesmen were challenged
peremptorily before Frederick H. Fort
meyer, fifty-six years old. who said he was
the assistant treasurer of the National Lead
Company, was called. Mr.. Fortmeyer said
he was not married and he had not read
much about the death OF Ruth Wheeler
Joseph F'eldmsn. a manufacture Of pads
at No. 1867 Broadway, was the last Juror
chosen before the session was adjourned
When he was accepted Mr. Scott had only
eight peremptory challenges left and the
prosecution had not used UP any Of its
challenges.