The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-09-16
FORMAL ARREST OF
YOUNG HUSBAND
Joseph s. Williams Suspected ol
Murder. h Apparently Victim
of Circumstances

Murder. h Apparently Victim
I of Circumstances.
| Following Corner j. Al. Whitfeld's
statement that Mrs. Mary Louise Will
ltams came to her death AS a result
of blows received on her head at the
! hand of an unknown person, Joseph
Samuel Williams husband of the
dead woman, was arrested On war
rant charging him with being sus-
rected of causing her death.
Mrs. williams died mt 3 o'clock
yesterday morning In the rooms oc-
cupied by the compile and their three
ycar-old boy at 881 West Grace
treet Her death was attributed at
fret TO acute indigestion, but Coroner
Whitfield was summoned later In the
day to perform an autopsy at the re-
quest Of her parents, His statement
Vas communicated to the police
shortly after two o'clock and Detec-
tive Sergeants Wiley and Smith pro-
ceeded to swear out the warrant.
Williams was taken to peiice head
quarters and examined by Detective
Captain Wright. The accused man is
twenty-five years old and his wife was
two years his Junior.
Peculiar symptoms exhibited by
Mrs, Williams Sunday afternoon and
night, coupled with the fact that the
Lair had an argument in the presence
OF the wifa's parents Friday night,
during which Williams slapped her
led to the arrest Of the young hus-
band.
In statement made at police
headquarters shortly after his arrest.
w sliams admitted having slapped
his wife on the night mentioned. The
Parents. Mir. and MrH George w. Be
n Hf enf
were present when this alteration
took ploce and assumed that Il fall
sustained by their daughter after tho
blow caused the injury to her brain
from which she died
The couple are said to have become
quickly roconciled after the spat,
* aying the house after having made
IL up. Mrs. Williams complained OF
extreme nervousness Sunday after
neon. after having been apparently
In the best OF health on Saturday.
Her husband was concerned over her
indlsposition and, after her mother
had communicated with, determined
to take her 'jitney-riding" in the
hope that the night air would benefit
her.
She became violently Ill at one
o'clock. her nervousness and periods
CT unconsciousnes being accom-
panied with fits of nausea Her hus-
hand called her mother shortly be-
fort two O'Clock and Mrs. Bebout
FASTENED to the house. Williams then
reused DR. c. A Bianton, a near
lneighbor. who diagnosed her case as
indigestion and wrote "A prescription.
williams called d taxi and rushed to
drug store TO procure the medi-
ciuc. DIR. Blanton administered the
medicine and left Williams with the
assurance that his wife would be
much better in the morning.
She became much more worse after
the departure OF DIR. Blanton and her
husband again went out for him, this
time bringing the doctors son, recent
| ly discharged from the army The
younger Or. B1anton reached the bed
side shortly after the girl had died.
Coroner Whitfield stated that he
| had found no trace OF poison and that
the death was undoubtedly the result
| Of an injury to the brain.
Williams. whose occupation Is chauf-
| feur Is light haireds bfue-eyed, of
handsome appearance and pleasing,
| Intelligent personality. His attitude
in his narrow cell at the First police
station last night was of sad resigna-
ton coupled with wonderful self-con :
troll.
He was visited by numbers OF
friends and relatives, including his
| step father. ], r. Jones. of Newport
News. and his fatherin-law, George
Mr.. Bebout talked with the accused In
for the Chesa peake and Ohio railway,
Mr. Bebout talked with the accused in
a tenderly, sympathetic manner and
informed him OF late events at the
house,
] What have they done with her
body?" Williams asked him anxiousiy.
He was informed that ii was at her
parents home and that burial would
be today He then asked had his boy
been told and appeared vastly relieved
when answered in the negative.
HE was ,the apple Of hrs mothers
eye" said Williams softly. as he took
i from his pocket pictures of the sturds
blond youngster and his UNUSUAL,
handsome mother.
"TIe was like a father to me-" h
said, referring to Mr.. Bedout Il dom
blame them in the least for causing
my arrest"
Louis o. Wendenburg has been re.
tanned by Williams and bail will prob
ably be secured today. Williams step
father stated last night that he wa.
prepared to furnish necessary bond
Commonwealth George Wise
will be asked to decide on the neces-
sary amount this morning.
Friends of the couple say they hat
been married five years and were ap
parently devoted to each other. VII.
liama declined to make any Statement,
experimenting the one made at police
headquarters. save to say that 1t wa:
terribly tragic situation and to give
the impression that he was victim OF
circumstances