San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-10-10

relatives of the dead woman sought
to discredit her husband, who had
wooed her for ten years only to be-
come a widower ten months after
their marriage.
They accused him of remaining out
Of his wife's room during the last ten
days of her fatal illness.
1t is now admitted that the at
tending physician, who was hostile to
Webb and friendly to the other rela-
tives, had forbidden the husband to
enter the room. although uncles and
aunts and cousins were free to come
and 70.
The investigation now has entered
the phase where counter charges have
been entered by counsel for the hus.
band, Charles Webb, alleging con-
spiracy against certain persons
The district attorney of West
Chester county has become particular
ly interested in this aspect of the
case.
An attempt was made to force the
district attorney into asking an in
dictment for murder from the grand
jury.
He resisted this attempt and the
subsequent events have shown the wis
dom of his course.
Says Niece Murdered"
An uncle of the dead woman, Will
liam Il. Hunter, of Devon, Pa, has
openly charged that his niece was
murdered" by the administration of a
slow poison.
He based his charge partly on the
discovery of trace of bichloride of
mercury in the viscera.
This eventually was shown to have
been due ito the use OF mercury as
an antisceptic.. 81,
The relatives then attempted to
show that someone" had mixed these
solutions for Mrs. Webb in degree
of strength that would be deleterious
Of her death. -. .-.-...- ", -. -. -s.
DR.. William J. Meyer, the attend
ing physician at the death bed, said
he talked with Mrs. Webb about this
matter and the charges were based
upon what she said.
The grand jury has heard in de-
tail all of these stories.
1t has heard the women relatives of
Mrs. Webb tell of all they said to
her and all she said TO them during
the last month that she was ill.,
Webb. has had little or no chance
to tell his story, but has requested
permission to 90 before the grand
jury, waving all immunity before the
investigation as closed.
He has said that he wants the
record clear so far as he is coll
cerned.
Under the latest will signed by Mrs.
Webb, her husband CT ten l onths is
made the sole beneficiary of her es-
tate.
A more elaborate will, prepared By
his counsel, for her signature, was
not signed. 20. o
1t divided the estate and left large
requests TO charity.
Protest Both Wills.
I Webb has asked that this unsigned
will also be probated as he intends
to carry out its provisions.
The relatives have protested both
wills and have asked that will made
by Mrs. Webb before her marriage be
accepted.
Webb's attorneys say the marriage
invalidated that will and if a con-
test is successful it will merely have
the same effect as if Mrs. Webb had
died withort any wills whatever.
Under such provision of the law,
the husband would get one-half Of
the estate outright,
Mrs. Webb did not marry rntil she
was 40.
She had been very close to her rela-
tiyes since her mother died and had
made a will N their favor. '~
Webb, an admirer of many years, fl
nally won his suit.
The marriage occurred last No
vember.
The relatives never would accept
him. -@
And so, when Gertie Webb died
under what they claimed were ques-
tionable circumstances, they blazed
forth with charges against the man
who had come so late into their rela-
tive's life.
Through all the trials of the last
two weeks it. must be admitted that
Webb has carried himself with a foise
most remarkable in the circumstances.
He was treateS rs all but an out
cast at the funeral.
Some of his former friends Stunned
him.
Bit it seems at last that his day is