Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-01-11


most surprising social sensation in
Joliet's history.
For seven years Mr.. and Mrs
Robart have been conspicuous in
church work. Mr.. Robart was an
Church. His wife" taught in Sunday
School. Both were particular friends
of the pastor the Rev. Ernest Wray
O'Neal. They frequently entertained
their church friends at their home
PA John street They were looked
upon, until the last few days, as de-
voted and happy pair.
Had Fine Business
Robart had built a fine business
His trade in wagon and automobile
trimmings, castings and accessories
covered the entire country. He is
credited with modest fortune.
Mrs. Robart" went to visit her
family in Virginia last June. She had
drawn her bank savings of $500 and
placed the money in Robart's keep
ing. She did not come back until a
month ago. 1t was while she was
away that the clouds gathered which
burst in tragedy yesterday.
Robart went one night to a Chicago
theater. In the chorus he saw for the
first time Elsie Buerlein, prettiest and
shapelieSt among the dancing nymphs.
A few days later, he met her in Joliet.
She announced her retirement from
the footlights and told him she was
going to live with her mother at
Rockdale, a fashionable suburb. Every
evening found Robart a welcome visi-
tor at the home of the former chorus
girl.
Her Home Gone
His affair with Miss Buerlein was
at it's height when Mrs. Robart re-
turned. She found her home broken
up, the furniture gone, the house
rented to another. She went to her
husband. lie refused to give her
back her money He would have
nothing to do with her. Thrown on
her own resources, Mrs. Robart be-
came waitress at the Woodruff Inn,
where she served many of the friends
of her church circle.
On New Years night Mrs. Robart"
was on her way to church when she
met Robart walking arm in arm
with the other woman. Her blood
famed into passion; she flew at her
rival. Robart interfered; it is said
he struck her. 81 will kill both of
you" she screamed.
Tried to Have Her Arrested
Robart dragged her to the police
station. There he told Captain James
McCraneyL she had threatened his life
and asked to have her locked up. The
policeman refused to arrest her. On
the other hand, he advised her TO
come back next morning and swear
out warrant for Robart on q charge
of battery. She never came back.
Robart arrived at his office near
the central part of the town at 7:3O
yesterday morning. He was opening
his mail. From an envelope he fished
bill from hardware firm. ITO John
Robart: One revolver So" II read
What the devils this?" said Rob
art to Tony Ostroski, his secretary
Mrs. Pfeiffer threw open the door
VIII you take me back?' asked
the white-faced woman.
NO" thundered Robart and turned
his back.
She Fires
Mrs. Pfeiffer drew her hand from
her muff. 1t gripped the revolver she
had charged to Robart's account. She
hred The bullet entered the back
OF his neck and lodged at the base
OF his brain. Robart staggered to the
street. The woman placed the muz-
zle or her pistol to her temple. pulled
the trigger and fell dead.
In a notebook found in her purse
was this notation:
Elsie Buerlein-the trouble"
The fatal affair brought out the
truth about Robart and the woman
who had passed as his wife. In a
statement TO the police he said he
had deserted a wife and four children
in West Philadelphia and eloped with
Mrs. Pfeiffer. who had deserted her
husband, Samuel Pfeiffer, a saloon
keeper. They came to Chicago. and
TO throw off pursuit, lived as Mr. and
Mrs. John hobart. The woman is a
daughter of William M. Ogden, an
engineer. of Richmond, Va.
Ulrich at Point of Death
BY Associated Press
IoiIaf I'll Ion II Tohn TTI-.,