Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-08-19
School Teacher is Held With
out Bail on Charge of Kill
ing Mrs. Roberts in fit of
Rage.
MUCH PHILOSOPHY OF
LIFE IN DOCUMENTS
Purpose to Commit Suicide
frustrated When Murder Is
Done; Secrecy Only Regret
Expressed.

| Grace Lusk, the school>teacher accus-
ed of killing the wife of DIR. David
Roberts two months ago, was held to
the December term of the circuit court
without bail late today. DR.. Roberts
husband of the murdered woman, was
witness at the preliminary hearing
The shooting took place June 21,
and led to revelation of friendship
between the veterinarian and the
school teacher which amounted to
what was termed an infatuation on
the part of the latter
The school teacher pleaded not
guilty today.
Pale but composed she sat with her
back turned to DR.. Roberts during
the sessions of Judge Thomas court.
With her was her father, DIR. A. H.
Lusk, a dentist OF Mosine, Wis. Four
witnesses were examined l.. L. Blot,
a business associate of DR.. Roberts,
and DR.. Davies testified to the find
ing of the body of Mrs. Roberts. The
doctor said Miss Lusk was still In the
house and in excited tones spoke of
the lawful names that Mrs. Roberts
had called her.
Tragedy In Letters.
VT ROBBERS refused to answer ques
tions regarding a number OF unsign
ed letters introduced among the ex-
hibits. The doctor gave as his rea :
son his constitutional right to decline
to answer any questions put to him
that might tend to incriminate him"
The letters which brought about
the stand of the former state veteri-
marian were five in number. In all
there were thirteen letters and docu-
ments submitted during the prelim-
mary hearing. as we'll as two bullets
taken from the body Of Mrs. Mary N.
Roberts at the autopsy following the
shooting.
One of the letters was taken from
an envelope marked: "To be opened
in case of accident" 1t said:
II have no explanation. I should
have known better than to play with
fire. l should have known that men
have one code of honor for the wom-
an they love, and another for the one
to whom they are married. have
had the theory that love between
IMAM and woman was stronger than
all the legal ceremonies In the world.
When that was lacking there was no
sanctity in marriage. still believe
SO, but the man in the case has been
too much of coward to face his wife
and tell her the truth. He has never
been true to her. Now that have
had to suffer, / am going to insist
that he tell her how matters stand,
that he be honest with her. If he will
not, II he is still afraid. he will have
to be afraid of me this time. am not
the type Of woman to be lied to.
the Only Treason. 4
I'VE have cared as much for one
another as a man and woman can.
The only treason has been in not tell
ing Mrs. Roberts. l have always
wanted to but he was afraid. All,
WELL it will soon be over. / am not
afraid. / have always made my work
my religion, lahore est crate. | hope
dear father doesn't take this too hard
live as | have been living the last
few weeks. have been almost
crazed with heartache and humilia-
ton" g
In the same envelope was the fol-
lowing. headed, The Business Part':
Il wish to be buried at stoughton.
I think that perhaps the little gray
frock from Heller's vii be ready for
my last part My bknk books are
at the bank.
As to Personal Property.
A third letter in the esenvelope made
disposition Of personal 2property, such
as books and furnitur6 The follow
ing are extracts from letter written
to Mrs. Roberts by Mss Lusk, but
unsigned:
You must have kndwn for a long
time that your husba3 Ids affections
had passed from you, that he cared
for someone else supreAely, That is
sufficient annulment of hny marriage
VOW that was ever giveR.
Had you. gone to hirA and said
frankly, If You don't cake for me
alone take your freedoH; live your
life in the way that will 4ive you the
most happiness, and let he go my
way.
I Il repeat had you giv9I, him this
opportunity of choice andl NE had
said that he wanted you Alone. then
you would have given him the chance |
to play the part OF an hohest man.
But Won havo nof hoar &.t- -