The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-06-25
BELDEN NOT TO
OPPOSE PAROLE
Of Mrs. Myrtle Schaude,
poison Widow, Whom
He Sentenced.
JUDGE SENDS LETTER

Judge E. B. Belden, judge of the
circuit courts of Kenosha, Racine and
Walworth counties, will not oppose
the paroling of Mrs. Myrtle Schaude,
of Whitewater, "the poison widow"
whom he sentenced less than a year
and a half ago to twenty years i'm
prisonment when she pleaded guilty
to charge of poisoning her husband
as result of clandestine affair with
Ernest Kufahl, former soldier and
student at the Whitewater Normal
Normal school. This announcement
made at Elkhorn on Monday gives
hope to Mrs. Schaude that she will
win her application for parole
this summer.
The Elkhorn law firm of Thorson
and Seymour, which is handling Mrs.
Schaude's application for a pardon,
has enlisted the aid of Judge E. B.
Belden, Racine, who accepted the
widows plea of guilty and imposed
the sentence upon her, in obtaining
her pardon or parole. Former Sheriff
Hal E. Wylie, County Judge Roscoe
Luce, who at that time, in private
practice, was one of Mrs. Schaude's
attorneys. DR.. w. F. Lorenz, former
head of the state board of control and
hundreds of citizens of Walworth
county who have signed petitions,
are reported to be aiding the wom-
ans cause.
Reasonable Doubt of Intent"
Judge Belden in letter which ac-
companied the application to the gov
ernor for pardon, declared that
"there is a reasonable doubt as to
her guilty intent in the administra-
tion of poison to her husband" It
was testified that Kufahl, her lover,
mixed strychnine with prune juice to
give her sick husband, telling her it
would ease his pain" and give her
a chance to rest.
I am satisfied that what she did
was done under the infatuation with,
and guilty influence of Kufahl. did
not ry his case" the judge said, "but
not try his case,' The judge said, "but
dence l am satisfied the acquittal was
a miscarrif ge of justice. 1t is quite
probable tat had Mrs. Schaude stood
trial she would have been acquitted.
"But, however, that may be, her
suffering and punishment for her err
rors through her remorse, under the
strain of which it is probable she
pleaded guilty, have been very great
and further incorporation would prob
ably add little, if anything, to her
punishment. Her children
need her. 1 doubt if any necessary or
useful purpose will be served by con-
tinuing her confinement in prison.
recommend either pardon or parole"
Woman Ill In Prison.
Judge Chester A. Fowler, Fond du
Lac, presided at the trial of Kufahl,
who was defended by ex-District
Attorney w. C. Zazel, Milwaukee, and
was found not guilty by the jury,
Warden Oscar Lee of the, Waupun
penitentiary, signed statement which
accompanies the application, declar-
ing Mrs. Schaude to be an exemplary
prisoner and that he will do nothing
to obstruct he obtaining of executive
clemency. The prison physicians re-
port that Mrs. Schaude now eighs LOT
pounds and is not able to work or
perform the duties assigned her is
also attached
Mrs. Schaude gave strychnine treat
ed chocolates to her four children,
Ralph, now IT; Delbert, now IA; May,
IL, and Lawrence, 4, but repented the
act as she saw them about to con-
sumo the candy and snatched it away
from them before any Ct it was eaten
by the three younger children.
Ralph swallowed some and was in a
critical condition, but recovered be-
cause of the prompt treatment she
caused to be administered. She at
first concocted story of strange
woman coming to her door selling
candy in paper bags, but broke down
under grilling by District Attorney
Godfrey.