New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-03-11
MOB At MELBER TRIAL
Several Injured in Mad Rush to
Get Into Courthouse.
WOMAN'S CONFESSION TOLD
Many Weep When Details OF De-
PENDANTS Miserable Existence
Are Disclosed.
Il7v Telegraph 10 Tho tribune.

Edith Melber who is charged with killing
her son George by forcing carbolic acid
down his throat. The corridors were fairy
TANNED with struggling men and women
trying TO gain admittanCe. Hats were
crushed men had their ovcrCoats torn off
and "a score Of persons We're bruised ana
scratched. Il finally took the combined
efforts Of Sheriff Platt with a squad OF
police reserves to clear out the corridors.
The police used their clubs freely one
woman tainted. When Mrs. Melber was
taken from the court in the afternoon thou
sands Of persons fingered outside OF the
building. and when she appeared the crowd
started to ieer and boot The police were
again called on To stem the human torrent.
Evidence TO show that she was aware OF
the crime with which she is charged was
introduced by the prosecution, when Chief
OF Police Quigley, OF Rochester, mfolded
to the court the confession she made TO
him after her capture. Attorney Dugan
objected strenuously TO having this con-
fession read on the grounds that the de-
PENDANT should have been advised that any
statements made would be used against her
and that any uuerances made out Of court
could be used against her. His objection
was overruled.
Chief Ouigley testified thlt she told him
that on Friday. January Is, She took the
child on q trolley car from Schenectady 10
Albany. After leaving The car she went
10 the Albany orphan Asylum. This was
about 80 p. m. She asked II they would
receive her child there. but the matron told
her that a legal permit must first be issued
from the Commissioners Office. she turned
city. with the child by her side. She
stepped into drug store and purchased
70 cents worth OF Carholc acid Then she
said she boarded a car. but did not know
where she was going. She finally got of
IT q station situated in a wilderness close
20 4 swamp The boy asked for a drink
Of water. and she handed him the carbohc
acid. and when he refused 10 drink it she
forced " down his throat saving. "Goodby,
SON" She then kissed him and laid MIN
on the ground and returned 20 Schenectady.
How she got there she did not know.
Many Weep in Courtroom.
The confession was related i'm an impress
sve. pathetic tone. and all The women in
tho room were crying. some Historically.
Sobs could he heard from some Of
Tho men. while some Of the Jury wiped their
eyes Mrs. Melber sat without moving
muscle. She simply lowered her eyes, but
displayed no outward sign % emotion.
chief Queloy then testified that Mrs
Neber related some OF her past life. she
said that her mother died when she was
thirteen years old. leaving her practically
destitute. Her father later died from drink,
and shc was forced TO shift for herself
Later she met George Melber, and they
were married when she was nineteen years
Old Ho was sickly and was unable 20 sup
port her, and finally he was sent 10 the
poorhouse. where he died 4 baby was
born m the mean time. and she said that
she had no means OF supporting the child
John 2. Mcdonald. p police officer Of
Rochester. testified a. 70 her capture when
she stepped of the train. He approached
her and asked If she had any trunks sent
on. She said she did. and was going 10
IDENTIFY them. He then arrested her. and
he gave her name As Ada James Of Troy
She said she was single and had come
there 70 get work She was taken 10 Police
headquarters and told that she answered
the description OF woman who murdered
her child in Albany. She broke down i'm
medately and said
Ny God, my cousin must have killed my
son. IT was Fred Terar. left him n take
the boy out West He probably killed him
because 81 my sons stubborrness'
She had q bundle Of boys clothing vitl
her. including q sweater, coat and under
wear. Edward a. O'Brieu. = police officer
Of Rochester, corroboratod McDonald's teq.
tlmony
The facts concerning the miserable OK
istence which Mrs. Nelbcr had led were
brought out when Mrs Margaret smith. an
aunt Of Mrs. Melber's husband. took tho
stand. In spite of tho hatred she ostensibly
exhibited toward tho pale. omaciated De
PENDANT. the facts she testified TO only
went 70 prove that tho Young widow had
been driven 10 most discouragiug cXtremi-
ties in her battle with life.
You needn't be surprised If YOU hear
that ! committed suicide were the words
Of Mrs Melber. according 10 Mrs smith.
as the poor widow left the home OF her
dead husbands aunt with her little five
year-old hoy tagging after her.
The witness said that Mrs. Melber went
10 her house shortly before Christmas and
begged her to take the boy, saying she had
no place TO put MIN.
During the time he was at my house
she never came 20 see lln nor dld she
hiring him anything" she said.
When did she take the boy from your
home was asked.
"On January 3. and when She started
from The door she threatened suicide
Good Home offered Child.
-zaxt came Miss Emoliue Peck. an agent
for placing orphans and destitute children
In good families. She testified that she had
q conversation with Mrs Nolber while tho
noy was an inmate Of a Troy institution
and offered 20 get good home for the little
fellow.
Mrs. Meber objected and nothing was
uouc for The lad. except 90 allow him 20
remain IN che institution until such time
a. his rIother withdrew him.
The conclusions drawn 10y tho many who
are closely watching the trial arc that as
result Of this morning. session there
las been a favorable atmosphere thrown
about the prisoner. 10 was shown that
within year after her marriage. when She
WAS yet girl and her husband stll very
young man. he couple were forced TO 20
10 the poorhouse as paupers. completely
cut OF from their relatives. who. though
living block away. never visited them
there. that The Young woman shortly be-
fore her husbands death gave birth 90
Ter boy. and that after that 10 was q CON
unuous and discouraging struggle for her
10 make e living; that she was driven
shout from place 20 place never being
able 10 remain long in any one boarding
place; that she had attempted 20 hold sew