The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-09-19


MIDDLETOWN, n. Especial.
Calmly reiterating his innO-
cence of the murder of "COun-
Tess Rosa McnSchil< Szabo. At
torney Burton w. Gibson declared
today that lac intended TO force
the hand of the State and COM
pei District Attorney Rogers to
show mt once what evidence he
has that the lawyer killed his
woman client.
At the present time Gibson adj
mitted his realization that he is
in a serious prcdiCamcnt. and de-
clared that he had decided to en-
gage another lawyer to defend
him. He had at first planned 10
conduct his own case, including
his arraignment today and sub
sequent proceedings.
II know several lawyers here"
he said, land L shall get one of
them to defend me. The case is
apparently too serious for me TO
handle as both defendant and at
tOrney."
REPORTORIAL PIPE DREAM
SMASHED.
A line of defense that had been
constructed by ovcrzealous re-
pOrters was shattered as soon as
They had credited to Gibson
statements that the dead woman
was not the Countess Szabo,
whose relatives i'm AustrO-Hun-
gary had asked for an inVestiga-
ton into the WOman's death. but
that she was actually a Mrs.
Ritter" the name under which
the countess had lived for some
time prior TO her death.
On the strength of this the
newspaper men built a story that
if the woman was not the dead
countess" IL would show lack OF
motive on Gibson's part and con-
siderably weaken the States case
against him.
Gibson stated that as far as
he knew the dead woman was
the Countess" SZabO.
The prisoner awOI<e in his cell
shortly after o'clock this morn
ing. He spent a restful night.
His request for a shower bath
was granted by the keeper, and
after he had finished he returned
to his cell, where ne made use
of most of the toilet articles that
were in a small suitcase which
he had brought from New York.
Later he was taken to the Ho-
tel Brown, where he partOOk of a
hearty breakfast. He still re-
tanned The same calm, cheerful
attitude that has characterized
his actions since suspicion con-
corning the death of the "COun-
tess" SZabO was first directed to-
ward him. z q
Keeper O'Brien stated today
that, in his opinion, Gibson, if
guilty. was wonderful man. as
hfC 90fiOnG would nnxrnEs Tnnd ono
TO believe he was charged with a
serious crime.
WIRED TENDER MESSAGE
TO WIFE.
GibSOn'S first act after he
dressed was 30 send a telegram
to his wife, whose reported
breakdown last night greatly dis
turbed him. His message told
- his wife that he was well and had
spent a good night. He urged
her to be OF good cheer and told
her TO kiss their little girl for
him.
The accused lawyer insists that
the mother of the dead woman is
still alive, that she Is living i'm
New York and that at the proper
time he will produce her. He said
that following the death of the
countess he searched New York,
finally locating the PetronelIa
Menschik, who. he claims, is the
mother of the dead countess"
Austro Hungary authorities
claim that the countess -
mother died more than two years
ago and that the PetronelIa
Menschil<, who, according to Glib
sons claims, Is the mother, is a
fraud.
Gibson's Indictment on a muir
der charge will not take place
until next month, as the grand
jury OF Orange county does not
meet until October.
The evidence on which the
grand jury expects to indict has