Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-12-19
BLAKE TO PROVIDE
! DEFENSE FOR WIFE
Says Family Knew She Was
Weak in Mind-Feared to
Entrust Son
JURY BACKS INSANE THEORY
rrem . star corresrordent

Atlnnttc C1ty, Dec. lU'-JuiIes N'
Blake, Philadelphia insurance broker
win provide counsel and support his
wife. Mrs. Esther Miller Blake, in her
fight against murder charges growing
out Of the death In the Atlantic ocean
OF their FIVE year old son, James, 'lr'
Mrs. Blake. who Ia a prisoner i'll the
Atlantic City Hospital, was held with e
out bail by Coroner George Stoddard
last night to await the action of the
grand jury. His action followed the
verdict Of the coroner's jury, which
was:
"James NJ. Blake, Jr., came to his
death, presumably at the hands of his
mother while in a state of mental
alteration"
''There is no doubt in my mind that
my wife was insane IL she threw our
son into the Atlantic ocean, Mr..
Blake said. evidence at the inquest
showed that she was and had been weak
mentally for some time. Her mind has
given away altogether
Miss Maud Miller, sister of Mrs.
Blake. and Mrs. Agnes Miller. her
mother both of whom have resided with
the husband since the Blakes separated
about four years ago, were not present
at the inquest.
Tragic Domestic Life
The most interesting testimony offer :
ed was that of the husband. BE told
Of time after time when his wife's men
tai vagaries had broken up various
homes he had established for his wife
and family. He told how her condition,
mentally and physically, became steadily
worse and how, in desperation, he was
finally forced to live apart from her.
His testimony to the mental weak
nesses Of Mrs. Blake was substantiated
TO some extent by four physicians who
had studied Mrs. Blake's condition since
her arrest One, in addition, attended
her occasionally before for n period ex
tending over five years. Ali, however
said they would not advance fina
opinion without further study. -,
Two of them. DIR. John Il. Beckwitl
and DR.. G. V. Garrahrant, compris
the special lunacy commission appoint
ed to examine the woman. They vii
make preliminary report today.
When the hearing was called Mr.
Blake announced that Walter Hanstein
an attorney of this city. would repre-
sent him and his wife's interests. Late
Mr., Hanstein said the husband woult
provide counsel for her when she face
the murder charge.
Mr.. Blake, attired in black mourn
Ing suit was the first witness called
He had just returned from Baltimor
where he attended the burial of his son
He testified to the disappearance o
James, Jr.. last Friday night afte
going out with his mother and the dis
coyery of his body on the beach at Vent
: nor on Sunday morning.
Tells Of Wife's Condition
In reply to the coroner's question t.
explain his domestic relations, Mr.
Blake said:
1--WE have been married fourteen
years. Ny wife's condition became no
ticeably irresponsible about three o
four years after our marriage. 1t be
game impossible to establish suits
factory home for her. Insomnia. back
aches and headaches made her SO tina
she found fault with everything.
''We moved from place to place t
please her. She was in two sanitari
ums. Once she stayed in one outside o
Baltimore for six months. Then she re
Joined me at our home. The condi
tions were the same.
"When she was taken to the hospita
for the birth of James she refused t
come home after recovering. The doc
tors finally persuaded her to. Ther
IN 1914, my business called me to Phil
adelphia. She insisted on going alon.
although we had lease on nice cot
tage in Baltimore.
Altogether we lived with each nthC
about seven months after the birth
the boy. There is no mystery abot
our separation. 1t was simply imnos
sssf, IN
general unmanageable and irresponsib
condition precluded that.
Definite Parting in 1915
''She threatened my life on sever
occasions. 1t was in September. 101
that we definitely parted. took Jam
and Esther, our ten year -old daughte
] went to Baltimore and my. wife
mother and sister kept house for m
My wife followed and we drew up {
agreement of separation. This was lat
renewed. When it ran out again y
did not renew it but lived up to i
provisions.
'tI scarcely saw her for almost fo
years. /. sent her an allowance at lea
once week. took care of her. S
made many attempts to excite my syn
pathy and effect a reconciliation
sending messages, many of which we
fictitious, regarding her physical cond
ton.
She sent messages trying to put /
in a bad light with my business ass
ciates and friends. Several months a
she made strong attempt at a reco
Citation, She and her trunk arriv
at my home at 10S Gowen ayenr
Mount Airy, one night. I asked /
to leave. She said she had no pla
to 60, but would leave in the NOR
ing.
Husband Leaves Home
$50 ] went out. She stayed {
weeks. and l lived elsewhere. Tt
she left. Then we moved to 123 Sol
Vermont avenue. Atlantic City. la
she moved to 231 Oriental avenue,
rectly in the rear.
"She frequently took the childl
\ out. She had Esther to the movies a
the theatre, We were always ankle
when she had the children, but
wanted to show her the privileges 8
person would accord a mother.
mother in law and sister in law
monstrated with her when she took
boy out last Friday, but gave in wi
their protests had no effect"
Mr.. Blake was not cross examined
Doctor Garrabrant then testified L
be had made a study of Mrs. Blake
the hospital. She is very excitable
said, and at times talks at randC
while at other times she seems norm
"W0uld you say her mental condit
was other than normal? % he was ask
s'I think not rather ! would
she Is very excitable." he replied
added that he would examine her (
tier.
irresponsible at Times
fnxcto, paoLv-ifb Satd sha was no