The Washington times., 1913-11-19
MOTHER HAS FAITH
IN MRS. WAKEFIELD
Declares She Knows Daughter
Had No Hand in Death of
Brutal Husband.

NEW HAVEN. Conn, Nov. 19.-Three
hours from New York, the richest city
in the world. and one hour from one
of the greatest universities in the coun-
try. live an American-born man and
woman who can neither read nor write.
and whose lives have been one con-
slant struggle for bread. The man is
Frank Webster. father of Mrs. Bessie
Wakefield. sentenced to be hanged for
the murder of her husband. Villa m
Wakefield. The woman is the girls
mother.
The shack which is the Webster
home is tucked away against a hill at
the north end of Lake Quassapaug,
near Middlebury. Conn. One room
serves as kitchen, dining room and liv-
ing room. The ceiling is low. There is
not a picture of any kind on the rough
painted walls, and four or five old
chairs and rough wooden table con-
sutute the furnishings.
This is the type of twentieth century
civilization which Bessie Wakefield
knew. The State of Connecticut has
reached down into this hovel from
which she sprung and is about to
strangle her to death under the law
of which she never heard until brought
into court room with James Plew,
who killed her husband
Mother Is Hoping.
Working from early in the morning
until late at night in this place they
call home. MIS-. Webster. Bessie's
mother, is hoping against hope Mrs
Wakefield's two children, George, six.
and Clarabelle, four are now in her
keeping.
ster home bespeak direst poverty, but
out from the terrible conditions, little
Clarabelle, Mrs. Wakefield's daughter.
stands as veritable flower. As her
grandmother today told of the hard
ship Mrs. Wakefield had known. and
of her hopes that she might yet be
saved from the galIows, little Clara
belle climbed up on a chair near by and
began TO sing softly. in her childish .
way. something about, ny baby. my
baby This was too much for Mrs. |
Webster. Tears sprang to her tired
eyes, and she clasped Clara belle TO
her. weeping and murmurinG:
Just like her mother; just like her
mother"
George, the boy, is quiet and serious. |
Mrs Webster said Wakefield kicked him
when he was a baby, and his back pains -,
him so at times that she has to rub him !
for hours before he can 90 to sleep.
Thinks She Is Innocent.
Il viii never believe that Bessie had /,
I hand in the killing of Will Wakefield, |
wen though ne did abuse her and starve !
he children" said Mrs. Webster.
she was too tender he arteu. She |
,luug to Wakefield even when ne was
reatinE her the worst. because she !
owed those children 50. lie often
threatened to Kill her. but still she re-
NAMED with him for the chiIdren's |
iakc.'
Webster told of finding Wakefield near
ne ROAD one day with i gun. He was
shooting at a telegraph pole. !
Webster said ha asked him what he
vas doing. and Wakefield said he was
,eeing now good he was with gun,
as he might want To use one
RS Webster told how Bessie kept |
luuse for P!ew. and Wakefield had his
neais there. Her sense Of morals was
rot high The conditions under which |
,he grew made this impossible. Plew
member OF the notorious ''Juke" fam
" Of degenerates and criminals, was
Iind to her and her children. Wake
leld abused her. Toward the last Mrs.
y ebster said Bessie seemed TO be alb
oIutelv under the control Of rlcw
Ioae of the Websters or Bessie ever
leard of hypnotic influence. but Mrs.
Webster said she knew he exercised
some strange power over her daughter.