The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-01-16
CROWD DIDN'T GET
CHANCE TO SEE
MRS MELBER
Police Feared For Safety of
Alleged Murderess
WOMAN ALONE RESPONSIBLE
Has at No Time lntimated That She
Was Assisted in the Killing
Of Boy

Albany, Jan. 16.-Mrs. Edith Mel
Der, the female fiend arrested in Ro-
numbering her five year old son, Geor-
gle, was brought back to this city
Saturday afternoon, arriving at 4.SO
o'clock. The police, fearing dem
onstration which might, perhaps re-
suit in bodily harm to the prisoner,
detrained the woman at West Albany,
all unbeknown to the big crowd which
had gathered at the Union station in
Albany awaiting her arrival. She
was placed in an automobile and hur-
ried from West Albany to the Second
precinct station.
Word soon spread that Mrs. Melber
was in Albany and the crowd surged
its way from the railroad station to
the police building. A guard was pla-
ced at the door, however, and no one
was permitted to enter except the
chief, the district attorney and the
coroner. The woman was nervous
breakdown and seemed to fear that
the crowd without might make an
attempt at any moment to lynch her.
MHlle, Ol COulStb lutlt MtAD NNANh
Citations and threats from the crowd,
the real motive of those who jostled
each other about in the drizzling rain
was of mere curiosity to gain view
of the woman who could commit so
unusual and unnatural crime.
Mrs. Melber was not questioned at
the Second precinct station. Her
confession in Rochester, it was stated
made such course unnecessary. AT
ter the crowd had dispersed she was
lodged in the Albany jail.
Detective Reed, who brought her
from Rochester, said that on the train
she told him she was sorry she kill
ed the boy and was anxious to see
him before he was buried. She also
asked to be allowed to get a black
dress.
The grand jury being still in SEES
sion in connection with the pending
trial term of the Supreme court, Dis
trict Attorney Sanford announced
that he would proceed at once to in
dict Mrs. Melber on the charge of
murder, first degree, for killing her
son.
Coroner Hilson began his inquest
in the case at his Office in the county
building at o'clock Saturday after
noon, and the witnesses called were
Harry Sprankland, the hunter who
discovered the dead baby's body; DR..
Hefernan, who performed the autop-
sy: GeorgeMelber, grandfather oft he
child, and Charles f. Smith, the
childs uncle.
The Albany police are confident
that there is a man in the case, al
though In her statements at Roches-
ter. Mrs. Melber failed to mention 1t.
According to her story she did the
killing herself, and at no time has
she intimated that there was anyone
csc connected in any way with the
crime.
On account of Mrs. Melber's threats
TO follow her child into the grave she
was closely guarded to prevent any
attempt at suicide and was constantly
watched by n matron. Mrs. Melbel
showed traces OF the terrific strain
under which she was laboring ant
she wept continuously in her cell ant
refused to eat. Relatives Of the sell
confessed murdereSs declare tina
they will come to her aid and will In
innate that insanity will be the de
fence when the unnatural mother Il
placed on trial.
Among the reports in circulation
Is one that the name of a young Sche
nectady man would be brought int
the case. although not In n crimna
sense. II was said that Mrs. Melbe
had posed to him as single and tina
they were engaged to be married wit
In fortnight.
The confession OF the woman whic
Is In the hands of the police OF a
bany Is one OF the most remarkabl
documents In the darker annals O
crime.
According to this document III
mother had carefully planned tn
murder long before she carried II GU
Her flight to Rochester led the polio
TO believe that she wanted to escap
into Canada, taking refuge In ToroI
To. Kingston, Montreal or some othe
Canadian city just across the lake.
Mrs. Melber was questioned agal
by the police In the hope OF learnin
additional details. The police forme
theory, due to the many evasion
OF Mrs. Melber, to escape confessin
her guilt. that her inability to cal
for the boy was not the motive tbs
led to the murder. The authorize
learned that after her husband die
four years ago she led a gay life N
IN the insurance money was exhaus
ed and has complained ever since
poverty. Mrs. Melbors trunk Is he
at Rochester by the authorities az
the effects were searched for any e'
dences that would throw light upc
the crime. The police are said
have found a number OF letters.
The young Schenectady man
whom mention has been made IN co
nection with Mrs. Melber Is Howa
Kirk aged 20 OF 500 Lincoln avenu
draughtsman in the employ OF q
General Electric Works, who ADM
having her marked attention. but
nles most emphatically that he
tended to marry her or promised
do 80.