The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1916-07-03
MARTEL CONDEMNED TO DIE.
Slayer Of Elsie Drayten Sentenced to
Electric Chair.


Slayer Of Elsie prayten Sentenced to
Electric Chair.
Followed a New York date line"
and the following abridged item:
Edwin A. Martel was yesterday
sentenced by Judge Hinkle 10 die In
the electric chair during the week OF
March 80. for the murder OF his
sweetheart. Elsie Draytol. an artist.
"Martel was engaged to be mar
ried TO Miss Drayton. On the even
ing OF Dec 81. nc called on her al
legedly 10 say good-hy before start.
ing for Brazil on the Leonard ex.
petition. Mrs. Wigs. janitress OF
the studio building In which Miss
Drayton lived. heard the sounds OF
violent quarreling as she passed
along the hall outside Of the vic.
Tins apartment.
She heard Miss Drayton call out
In terror: Don't! You're killing me-
and. afterward heard her cry defiant.
L., Shoot me, Go ahead and shoot
me- Half an hour later. Mrs. Wigs.
in her own room. heard piercing
scream, followed almost at once by
a pistol shot.
Rushing out into the street 10
summon help. she returned present
~ with Patrolman O'Brien. Just as
Martel. pistol In hand. was making
his escape. At sight OF the police
man. Martel ran back into the room.
O'Brien followed him and, after a
fierce struggle. succeeded in over
coming the murderer.
"Martels defense, oddly enough.
was an abb. II Is established that
the shooting occurred precisely on
the stroke OF midnight Martel ad-
mitted visitirg Miss Draytor on that
evening. but declared he left her
apartment nj 1870 and did not re-
turn 10 II until 1910. He said he
srent the intervening time at Dor
ley's restaurant with John Leonard
and that he was taking his leave Of
Leonard as the clock struck twelve.
"Mr. Leonard sailed for Brazil at
two in the morning, before Martel
recovered Consciousness after his
tussle with the policeman. All eff
forts. by the prisoners attorneys, to
locate Mr. Leonard have failed. as
he Is in the 'hinterland.' beyond the
reach Of telegraph.
ut Ia needless 10 say, no credcnce
was placed in Martefs remarkable
alibi: since all evidence points TO
the fact that he did not leave Miss
Drayton's apartment from the mo-
mept he first entered II. until he at
tempted 20 escape after the murder
was committed revolver with
which the victim was killed, bore
Marters name carved on the butt
Great credi, Is due TO District At
torney c. M. Halloran for his bril-
liant handling Of the case. and to
his pretty secretary, Miss Margaret
Craeme. for ncr really noteworthy
aid in building W the impregnable
structure OF evidence against the &C
cused."
John Leonard read the badly
crude article with eyes nbulge. He
looked again at the date, then groan'
ed aloud An hour later he was on
his way 10 the nearest town that
had a telegraph office. and thence
post.haste, to the coast.
Margaret Craeme sat In the
library OF her fathers house. A book
lay on her lap. But she was not
reading. The last few months had
put premature lines into her face
and there was a rev look OF melan-
choIy-alpost OF terror--in her eyes.
And thus John Leonard. on his
way uptown from the ship. found
her. She rose 10 greet him as he en-
tered the room. But he paid no
-tretE te-her -timidly -ontstretched
hand or TO her depre eating smile OF
welcome. His frat curt words were:
"I en- too late My cablegram was
delayed somehow In Br>ril. The
-eperafor went on a spree, | suppose.
I find II never reached tho district
attorney until this porning. heard
by wireless. yesterday. of Edwin
Marters execution"
Don't" she shuddered. "Oh, let
me forget It."
Forget IT." he said raspingly,