The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-11-16
Self-Defense Joe Fowler'S Claim
. On Trial for His Life for Murder

condition of the home upon his arrival
and as TO the surroundings.
States star witness.
DR.. Marschu,r was followed to tho
stand by Mrs. Mary Ncill, who proved
20 be the best witness OF the evening.
She told Of Mrs. BeltZ leasing tine
apartment at 22i2 Main street Tor s.S
months, pIyIne SU6 rent IN advance IN
April. She testified she knew the de-
PENDANT, Joe Fowler. for short time
before the shooting, and Mrs. Beltz
since she was a little girl.
Mrs. Neill said that Mrs. Bcltz was
physically afflicted since child. and
right She told Of keeping the four-ycar
old daughter OF Mrs. BcltZ from April
TO July, but emphatical!y denied that
Fowler had paid the childs toard, up
on cross examination.
Mrs. Neill told Of Fowler and Mrs.
Beltz Quarrelling., and declared Fowler
used language unbecominS u gentleman
boarder She told of Fowler leaving the
Beltz home In August, and Of his later
entering the place. and after locking
the out side door. taking full possession.
1t requiring two police Officers TO eject
him.
The witness testified as to seeing
q hat torn TO pieces and Af later being
told by Mrs. Beltz of Fowler's destroy
Ing her shoes and dresses in u fit or
rage She told of another visit made
by the defendant. and again OF his
fore October End.
Mrs. Neill tod Of Weitzel meeting
Fowler on the night before the murder,
and Of the greeting between the two.
around the home until late at night.
finally leaving declaring threaten!ngly,
I'll be back tomorrow"
She told Of the little daughter OF Mrs.
Beltz, going to Sunday school and
tho murder. and Of being in the home
OF Mrs. Farrell down stairs when the
shooting occurred.
Mrs. Neil testified after the first
shot she heard Mrs. Beltz scream My
and of later rushing out to find doc
tor and 4 policeman after seeing Tom
Weitzel leave the place going into tn"
alley in the rear. She declared the shots
blood on the walls. bed. curtains and
floor of the room where the shooting
was committed.
Upon cross-examination Mrs. Nelll
emphatically denied that Mrs. Beltz
had received money from the defendant
except for pay for his board. When she
was questioned as to how Mrs. Belts
got her money she declared she got 1t
by what some people call work"
She told Of the deceased working In
living in two houses of III fame.
Mrs. Neill was asked as to why Mrs.
Beltz had called her Edith when her
real name was Mary, to which she re-
life Of shame. and had a girl like
she did. that was why kept her baby"
She told of Mrs. Beltz coming to her
and crying on her shoulder. and saying:
Something is going to happen: will you
care for my baby?"
NV hn do
clared there was scuffling in the room
above during tho shooting, sounding
as II furniture was being moved.
Attorney Ritz asked her:
gone out all night on a Saturday, night
prior to the shooting, and she told you
she received $40. didn't she?" to which
Mrs. Neill emphatically denied any
knowledge. except that they had gone
out. and that Mrs. Beltz had told her
but wanted to back out Of the arrange
ment. She said she knew Fowler had
paid $26 towards a divorce. but 1t was
never granted.
Mckee and was then dismissed to be
called again this morning.
Ike Dixon Heard Shooting.
Ike Dixon. who was in the room down
stairs at the time Of the shooting, fol-
lowed Mrs. Beltz to the stand. He told
vi SlOOlIis Il ""
after Fowler was seen coming In the
yard from the alley. and of going up
stairs, finding the wounded woman on
the floor and later picking her up and
putin: her an the bed II" declared he
saw blood all over the apartment up
stairs. He was excused without cross
examination.
Mrs. Esther Shaw was next called and
told of seeing Fowler come into the
yard. following which TN" shooting Oc-
Cured few minutes later. She de-
rlared she law a man leaving the yard.
ar Identified Wetzrl when he was
taken into the court room.
Officer HOrstnan on Stand.
Officer william HorStman. a rnnnhs-