Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-03
LED A DOUBLE LIFE
Tragic Consequences Will Be
Barred in Court.
DR.. H. e. WEBSTER ON TRIAL
Must Answer for Murder Of. Third
and Bigamous Wife.
FRIENDS RALLY TO HIS AID
Insanity Probably Will Be Defense
of Young Chicago Hospital
Inferno.
FRIENDS RALLY TO HIS All

OREGON, ILL.,, January ). - The final
chapters of a double life and its tragic
consequences will begin tomorrow. when
DIR. Harry e. Webster. the young Chica-
go medical student. will go on trial for
the murder of his third and bigamous
wife, Bessie Kent Webster. whose body
was found in ravine near Dixon, ILL.,,
the home Of the accused mans parents,
September -.
Barring the possible postponement of
the trial. owing to the illness of j. T..
Erwin, one Of the chief attorneys for the
defense, the states attorney is confident
of having the jury box filled from the
special venire that has been summoned
by this afternoon, when the battle for the
young interne's freedom will begin. DR..
Webster has been showing marked inn
patience for the trial to begin, as he is
confident that his story of alleged per-
secutions by the murdered woman will
result in his acQuittal.
Women Write of Sympathy.
Members of the medical fraternity
throughout the state of Illinois have con-
tributed to the defense fund of Webster,
as have a number of women in the west.
him in letters accompanying their contri-
buttons. A pool started by his friends
and associates in the Policlinic Hospital
contributed a large sum to the defense
fund, and A. G. Harris, attorney for the
Northwestern Railroad Company at Dix
on, has informed Webster's lawyer that
his friends in his home town will be
glad to render any financial assistance
needed.
It is expected that Webster's lawyers
will demand the appointment of an IN
sanity commission to determine the pres,
ent state Of the doctors mind. This will
be requested on the ground Of many con-
fiicting statements made by the prisoner
regarding the murder of his wife, and his
strange actions since his arrest The
sanity, emotional. temporary or heredi-
tary, or q combination of all three.
Story Of Duplicity.
The story Of the deceit and duplicity OF
the young doctor, which resulted in such
a cold-blooded tragedy. is one Of the most
startling in the criminal history of the
state of Illinois. All the time that Web
ster was studying medicine in Chicago
he was carrying on a courtship with Miss
Zoe Varney, the pretty daughter OF
wealthy citizen Of Cedar Rapids, Iowa
In the meanwhile he was introduced to
Miss Bessie Kent, VINO was living In chi
capO by one of his student friends. The
girl seemed to take to the young doctor
Immediately, and then began series
of clandeStine meetings that caused the
girl to fall deeply in love with the man,
who was in reality only tr1hing with her
Miss Varney, the Iowa girl, as soon as
he had graduated from medical college
and had established a substantial prac-
tice in the Illinois metropolis.
girl that he gradually began to neglect
his regular correspondence with his fan
Gee in Iowa whose father was rendering
him financial aid. He finally furnished
home for Miss Kent In Chicago, convinc-
ing her relatives that they had been mar
ried. and lived with her for several
months. during which time he gave little
Thought to the girl he declares he really
loved.
WEEDS Again-in Fortnight.
A sudden cessation Of allowances from
the nrospective father-in-law in Iowa
brought the doctor to his senses. how
ever. and January 3. 1910, he made trip
to Cedar Rapids, effected a reconciliation
with his offended fancee, and in order
to make certain of financial support from
her father arranged for an immediate
marriage. which took place January 4.
The happy pair went on weeks honey
moon trim to Denver. and when they re-
turned to the brides home Webster prom
ised to 20 to Chicago to finish his studies
and send for his wife as soon as he had
| furnished up a home.
Upon his arrival in chicago he was Wis.
| tied by Bessie Kent's sister. Kittie Ken'
:Newbsrger. who charged him with de.
ceivins her sister and d. demanded that h
tect her good name. Webster claims he
agreed to do this with the understanding
that the Kent girl was to secure a di.
yorce as soon as possible after the cere'
mony had been performed. The pair were
married January IL barely a week after
his marriage to the Varney girl.
Futile Attempt for Divorce.
After his. second marriage Webster beg.
ged the Kent girl to get divorce. which
| She refused to do but demanded that he
| take her to his old homo In Dixon and in.