South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-12-16
Three Months Under Strain of
Imprisonment and Accusation
Makes Her TOO Tired" to
Plan for Future.
URY RETURNS VERDICT
AFTER THREE BALLOTS
Acquitted Woman Dramatically
Thanks Jurymen and Then
SWoonS When 11-DayS' Trial
Ends tuesday Night.

Mrs. Augusta Suhl arose Wednes-
Jay morning 20 the light of the first
day of freedom that she has known in
three months. Within 20 minutes Of
the time that the jury reported her
acquittal Tuesday night she was
speeding in a taxi 20 the home of her
Lrother. Edward Drews, 927 Emerson
av. The reaction from the trying or
deal OF the past three months was al
most more than the woman could
stand and the night was not SO restful
as she had wished that il might be.
The acquitted woman sat in the
humble little parlor Wednesday morn
ing and talked hesitantly to a News
Times reporter. At first she did not
want 20 see him but finally she agreed
and when she had shaken hands she
moved her chair 10 where she could
sit in the rays of the morning sun.
She did not smile and she looked tired
and worn.
"Oh. / feel so tired" she said. land
-ust as If l was many years older now
10 years older than 1 was"
She had little to say. She did say
however. that she did not know now
what she would dO-that she was 50
tired she could not plan. Informa-
tion from her brother was To the ef-
feet that she would remain with him
until she was rested and stronger and
hat then she would probably go into
some business for herself. They did
not know whether she would go back
to the old home on St Vincent ST or
not
Margaret Her One Care.
Her life Will be given mp to the
care and education of Margaret" the
brother said And then Mrs. Suhl
H.aNn.
came more nearly smiling than she
had done for three months Yes she
would care for Margaret for she was
such a smart girl and she was so
happy last night when her mother
left the jail.
Margaret" she said. lis in the sixth
grade She is very smart i'm arith-
metic and in geography. but no mu-
sic-nO music. Yes I VIII take care
of her and give her an education SO
that she can have things some day
when she is a lady
Mrs. subj was acquitted Tuesday
night at $3.50 o'clock. she had
been on trial in the circuit court
for II DAYS charged with having kill
ed her husband. Charles SuhL 10y ad-
niuistering arsenic 10 him. The jury
deliberated for three-quarters of an
hour and the verdict was returned ON
the third ballot. Mrs. Suhl was taken
at once 10 the home OF her brother.
Mrs. Suhl FaintS.
y dramatic scene eusued when the
verdict of mot guilty was returned.
As the accused woman heard the
words she arose and faced the jury
men. God knows I'm innocent.
said she and raised her right hand. Il
thank YOU mem.
She said no more for the pcnt emo
uOns were Co great FOR the trali oody
and the woman fell in "a dead faint.
Mrs. Anna Anderson, matron OF the
sail. was at Mrs. SUhl'S side. as she
had been during all the time of the
trial. but she did not realize then
what was happening. SO quickly did
Mrs Suhl faint
As her charge fell. Mrs. Anderson
was at her side in the instant and the
furymen ana counsel rushed 90 her as
sistance. Mrs Suhl was carried 10 the
attorneys room where the windows
we're thrown up and she was quickly
revived 10y the fresh air.
Taken 10 Jail Last Time.
And then. when asain she had come
10 "a realization OF the freedom that
had been granted 20 her. she was
taken. for the last time. to the jail
where she had been confined for more
than three months AS she waited for
the taxi which was Co carry her away
and Mr. and Mrs Coffeen and little
Margaret and the attendants at the
fail And as she wept she threw her
arms around Mrs Anderson You
have been my only friend during the
dark hours" she said. And she wept
more bitterly and when she was Of
tered "a little brandy she refused 90
take it. Then the taxi came and car-
ried her away 20 q new life.
Jurors Wanted Direct Proof.
Information from reliable sources
was to the enect that the jury had
stood nine to three for acquittal on
the nrst ballot and had stood ten 20
two for acQuittal on the second ballot
lt was stated hy certain jurors that
there had been no direct proof of the
charge that AIRS Suhl had administer
"a arsenic 90 her husband as no one
had seen her do So. lt was thus iu-
tImated that the circumstanJial evi-
dcnce on this charge could not be
agreed upon as proof beyond "a rea-
souauic doubt that The woman was
-uilu and shat lt was ou this point
that the verdict had hinged.
Many OF the spectators remained iu
al. D. r., q g..