The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1917-06-22
CHARCESACAINST
ZIERATH LIKELY
TO Be BROUGHT
Invalid Wife Must be Re-
moved From Home to
Save Life.
CARUTHERS WANTS
HUSBAND TO APPEAR
WillAsk Wealthy Farmer to Take
Wife to Hospital For
Treatment.

Prosecuting Attorney Caruthers has
cited Theodore Zierath, wealthy farm
er, living north of the Cape, to explain
why his wife has not beeen removed to
the hospital, where she can receive
proper care. The prosecuting attor-
ney believes that he can persuade the
husband to have his wife taken to the
hospital for treatment, but if he re-
fuses to do so, proceedings will be
taken.
Mrs. Zierath, who is past 70 years
of age, was found in a helpless con-
dition several days ago by Mrs. NJ.
l.. Wiley of North Frederick street,
who later took several women from
The Cape, the prosecuting attorney and
DR.. ]. w. Berry to the Zierath home
to show them the filthy conditions the
aged woman must endure.
Orren Wilson, who has been engaged
by the women, and the son of Mrs.
Zierath, said yesterday that he would
institute proceedings against the hus-
band in the County Court to have the
woman removed from the home to re-
spectacle quarters. He said the hus-
band had sufficient funds to do this,
and there should be no reason, why he
could not be forced to have his wife
taken to the hospital.
Mrs. Wiley and others who visited
the Zierath home, say the found con-
ditions there beyond the conception of
the human mind. Mrs. Zierath, who
has been paralyzed for three years and
unable to walk or help herself, has
asked to be taken to the hospital, but
her husband has refused her request
She IS barely able to speak, but told
the ladies who visited her that she
would like to have a physician.
Prosecuting Attorney Caruthers
stated yesterday that Zierath said,
when questioned last Wednesday by
the prosecuting attorney, that he was
taking care of his wife to the best
Of his ability.
He said he had cited Zierath before
him TO discuss the matter, and he be-
lieved that he could be persuaded to
take his wife to the hospital. If this
could not be done, the matter would be
referred to the County Court.
Several lawyers when interviewed
by reporter for The Tribune, agreed
that the husband could be charged
with homicide in the event Mrs. lie
rath died. If it could be proven that
her death was due to the lack of care
and that the husband had failed to
provide for the proper treatment and
medical attention during her illness,
this charge could be preferred against
him. Senator Thos F. Lane, one of
the best known prosecutors in South
east Missouri, said yesterday he be-
lieved the man could be prosecuted
on a criminal charge.
Persons who visited the Zierath
home during the week say the condi-
ton in the house could not be imagin-
cd by anyone who had not seen the
interior of the house. They were such
that they could not be exaggerated.
Mrs. Fred Miller, one of the ladies
who visited the invalid woman, said
when asked about the conditions, they
could not possibly be worse.
A number of dogs, kept by the hus-
band, and other domestic animals, it
is said, are permitted to run through
the house and have easy access to the
bed in which Mrs. Zierath is kept.
The disclosing of these conditions
by The Tribune caused great sensa-
ton among the citizens and farmers
living in the county. All agreed that
something would have to be done to
better the invalid woman's conditions.