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Facts and Events
| Name[1] |
Grace Curtis |
| Gender |
Female |
| Birth[2] |
Nov 1881 |
Michigan, United States |
| Census[2][13] |
8 Jun 1900 |
Clyde, Allegan, Michigan, United States |
| Marriage |
19 Feb 1905 |
Battle Creek, Calhoun, Michigan, United Statesto William R. Weber |
| Census[3][14] |
21 Apr 1910 |
Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, United States |
| Death? |
2 Mar 1913 |
Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, United States |
| Burial? |
|
Oak Hill Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Kent Co., MI |
| Other[4][15] |
3 Mar 1913 |
Grand Rapids (MI) Herald: Woman Shot and Killed by Husband Newspaper Article |
| Other[5][16] |
4 Mar 1913 |
Grand Rapids (MI) Herald: Man Who Shot Wife Threatens Own Life Newspaper Article |
| Other[6][17] |
6 Mar 1913 |
Grand Rapids (MI) Herald: Little Weber Boys Follow Mother's Corpse Newspaper Article |
| Other[7][18] |
7 Mar 1913 |
Grand Rapids (MI) Herald: Weber Made Scene Newspaper Article |
| Other[8][19] |
7 Mar 1913 |
Niles Daily Sun Obituary |
| Other[9][20] |
3 Apr 1913 |
Grand Rapids (MI) Herald: Weber Tragedy is Enacted in Court Newspaper Article |
| Other[10][21] |
4 Apr 1913 |
Grand Rapids (MI) Herald: Lawyer Takes Part of Dead Woman Newspaper Article |
| Other[11][22] |
5 Apr 1913 |
Grand Rapids (MI) Herald: Weber Case Goes to Jury Today Newspaper Article |
| Other[12][23] |
6 Apr 1913 |
Grand Rapids (MI) Herald: Lock Up Weber Jury For Night Newspaper Article |
References
- ↑ Notes on the Benjamin Curtis Tree - by Maurice L. Reed, 1943.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 United States. 1900 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T623).
- ↑ United States. 1910 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T624).
- ↑ Newspaper article about the murder of Grace Weber - 3 March 1913, Grand Rapids Herald.
- ↑ Newspaper article - Grand Rapids Herald, Tuesday, March 4, 1913.
- ↑ Newspaper article - Little Weber Boys Follow Mother's Corpse, Grand Rapids Herald, 6 Mar 1913.
- ↑ Newspaper Article - Grand Rapids (MI) Herald: Weber Made Scene, 7 Mar 1913.
- ↑ Niles Daily Sun.
- ↑ Newspaper Article - Grand Rapids (MI) Herald, 3 Apr 1913: Weber Tragedy is Enacted in Court.
- ↑ Newspaper Article: Grand Rapids (MI) Herald: Lawyer Takes Part of Dead Woman, 4 Apr 1913.
- ↑ Newspaper Article: Grand Rapids (MI) Herald: Weber Case Goes to Jury Today, 5 Apr 1913.
- ↑ Newspaper Article: Grand Rapids (MI) Herald: Lock Up Weber Jury For Night.
- ↑ Curtis, Stephen; head; white; male; b.March 1850; age 50; married 22 years;
b.Michigan; father b.New York; mother b.New York occupation: laborer
----- Belle; wife; white; female; b.Oct. 1858; age 41; married 22 years; 6 children/5 living;
b.Michigan; father b.New York; mother b.Iowa
----- Grace; daughter; white; female; b. Nov. 1881; age 18; single;
b.Michigan; father b.Michigan; mother b.Michigan occupation: laborer/housework
----- Doris; daughter; white; female; b.Jan. 1888; age 12; single;
b.Michigan; father b.Michigan; mother b.Michigan at school
----- Willard L.; son; white; male; b.Nov. 1892; age 8;
b.Michigan; father b.Michigan; mother b.Michigan at school
----- Mavis; daughter; white; female; b.Feb. 1895; age 5;
b.Michigan; father b.Michigan; mother b.Michigan
---- Not Named; son; white; male; b.Dec. 1898; age 1
- ↑ Weber, Wm. R.; head; male; white; age 45; married (2nd time) 5 years;
b.Germany; father b.Germany; mother b.Germany emigrated 1881(?); naturalized
occupation: tailor/own shop
----- Grace; wife; female; white; age 28; married (1st time) 5 years;
b.Michigan; father b.Michigan; mother b.Michigan 2 children/2 living
----- Fred R.; son; male; white; age 4; single;
b.Michigan; father b.Germany; mother b.Michigan
----- Reginald T.; son; male; white; age 2; single;
b.Michigan; father b.Germany; mother b.Michigan
- ↑ WOMAN SHOT AND KILLED BY HUSBAND
Wm. Weber Declares Wife's Death Was An Accident
Attempted Escape is Foiled by Officers
Detectives Halloran and Dunn Stop Fugitive at Point of Guns -
Search Reveals Empty Pistol -
Confession is Doubted
Mrs. William R. Weber, aged 31, was shot and killed by her husband yesterday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock at the home of Mrs. Rawson J. Green, 526 Jefferson Ave., S.E., where she was employed as a maid. Three bullets pierced her body. The police are holding the husband on a murder charge.
Weber fled immediately after the shooting; but was overtaken at Ionia avenue and Hastings street 45 minutes later by Detectives Halloran and Dunn. Hidden under his vest in a holster the detectives found a 32-caliber pistol containing 5 empty shells. The prisoner evinced but little emotion when led before Chief of Detectives J.U. Smith shortly afterward, where he told of the tragedy, maintaining that it was an accident. He guarded himself carefully as he related his story.
No Witnesses of Shooting
Although there were a half dozen person in the Green home at the time, none witnessed the shooting. Only one saw Weber as he left the premises by the front door and dashed north on Jefferson avenue. This was Walter Teeuwissen, a boarder.
The tragedy occurred in the parlor. A double door and one leading into the hall were closed. Mrs. Weber, who had been informed over the telephone by a friend that her husband was coming to see her, admitted him. They went into the parlor alone. Hardly had the door closed when Teeuwissen and Mrs. Green, who were in the dining room in the rear, heard the couple having words.
Weber, according to Teeuwissen, was heard to shout, "Why will you treat me this " but the words were muffled by a scream, followed by the rapid reports of the pistol. Five shots, Teeuwissen says, were fired. He dropped a book he had and rushed to the double door. On the threshold lay Mrs. Weber on her face, a pool of blood already forming under her head. The room was blue with the powder smoke.
Teeuwissen picked the woman up, he says, and placed her on a lounge in the corner. Stepping to the door he saw Weber vanishing down the street. He called the police and when they arrived Mrs. Weber was gasping her last. Detectives Halloran and Dunn got a minute description of Weber and trailed him to where the capture was made.
Weber Attempts to Enter House
The man was just returning after having made an unsuccessful attempt to enter the home of Mrs. George H. Robinson, 508 North Ionia avenue, where he had been before the shooting. The Robinsons' who were close friends of Mrs. Weber, say they had been accused by the husband upon his previous visit of favoring his wife in her family difficulties.
Last week Mrs. Weber applied for a divorce unknown to her husband. The papers were drawn up and signed. Yesterday she phoned the Blodgett home and warned them not to allow the children to be seen, having heard that Weber was in the city.
Before the shooting, Weber visited the home and was told that the children were in quarantine. The coats that he had intended to give them had been left behind in a box at the Green residence, he says. Following his disappointment at the home he went directly to Mrs. Robinson's.
When Detectives Halloran and Dunn came upon him at Ionia and Hastings street, they held him up at the points of their pistols. He raised his hands, but did not say anything until after the officers searched him.
Woman Dies as Police Arrive
When the detectives and Special Officer Hammond arrived at the scene of the tragedy, prior to Weber's arrest, the room was still blue from the powder smoke. Mrs. Weber lay on the couch, bleeding from her mouth and a gash in her head. She was gasping slightly, but died in a few minutes. A physician arrived just as she stopped breathing.
The furniture in the parlor was not in disorder, indicating that there could not have been much of a struggle before the shots were fired. Two pillows lay undisturbed on the bench in front of the piano, where Weber declared he had been sitting when the gun was drawn.
Weber and his wife had not lived together since last spring when he sold out a tailoring establishment at 78 North Ionia avenue. He went to Rankin, Ill., to seek employment. The two boys, Frederick and Reginald, aged 5 and 7, were taken to the Blodgett home by the mother. After leaving the city Weber wrote a number of endearing letters to his wife, begging her to come to him at Ranking and bring the children. The last of these, received here February 14, is in the hands of the coroner.
Weber, a tall athletic man of 48, well educated, and able to speak several languages, told, voluntarily, the story of the shooting to Chief Smith. Frequently he faltered, losing trace of where he had leftoff. More frequently he appeared dramatic. This was noticeable when he reviewed his domestic troubles and his love for his children. He kept away frm describing the fatal quarrel until he had exhausted every other incident leading up to it. Talking feverishly at times, he spoke of his efforts for a reconciliation with his wife. Describing the visit to her home yesterday, he grabbed his heart and shouted: "I love her, I adored the ground she walked on, but now - my life is ruined - my children - oh!!" and then he broke down.
Weber Wanted Reconciliation
"After leaving here last spring," he said, "I went to Rankin and got a good job. I wrote to her to come and bring the children but she would not. I weathered it along until last Christmas when I visited her at Mrs. Green's. I begged her then, for the sake of my two baby boys, to come, but she refused. I went back to Rankin and kept writing her loving letters but it did no good. I made two coats for the boys and today came here to give them to them."
"I told Grace of the coats when I went into the parlor. I sat down on the bench before the piano. I put my arms around her and tried to kiss her, but she threw me off. When I persisted, she slapped me on the cheek. My coat was open and she saw my pistol. We began to tussle and she and I both had hold of the revolver." Here Weber failed to state whether he had drawn the weapon or how it came into play. "We both grabbed the fun and I don't know whether she pulled the trigger or I did. The gun went off several times, I don't know how many, and I saw her fall. I got to the door and ran down the street. That's all, but God I wish she were alive so she could tell the truth about it."
Weber seemed a trifle weak, from his confession, but did not collapse. He was led to a cell below to await further examination in the presence of Prosecuting Attorney Phelps.
The police say Weber went to the home of Mrs. George H. Robnson, 508 North Ionia avenue, yesterday, upon his arrival from Kalamazoo, where he had been working recently. He and his wife had formerly lived at 220 James avanue, S.E., next door to the Robinson family, where Mrs. Weber became very friendly with Mrs. Robinson, and confided to her the trouble with her husband.
When told of the shooting Mrs. Robinson feel in a swoon, sobbing, "My child, my child." A few minutes later Detectives McDonald and Doyle visited her and she told them of a threat Weber is alleged to have made upon his visit here last Christmas.
Woman Tells of Threats
"When he came here this afternoon," she said, "he began asking about Grace and then he started relating their family troubles. He talked of the children and finally cried. He said he was going to see her and try to get her back. Just as he was about to leave the door, he turned, and glaring at me, he said, 'but you don't believe me, Mrs. Robinson; you believe her.' I feel that we are going to have some awful trouble. Before I could reply, he was gone.
"I told Grace only last night, in talking of him, that she never should get too close to him. I warned her taht if he came to visit her, she should not open the door. She knew that he had a bad temper, and because of that threat last Christmas, I cautioned her to be doubly careful and not receive him.
"I knew that he would do this, because last Christmas Grace spoke of getting a divorce, and told him about it. he told her then that he had a gun, and showed her the cartridges, declaring that 'she would look nice, if she ever brought him into court.' "
Despite the fact that people in the Green residence said they heard five shots fired, only three wounds were found in the body by Coroners Hiliker and LeRoy, who performed an autopsey late yesterday afternoon at E.J. Corkery's morgue, 556 Division avenue, S.W.
Coronor Locates Three Bullets
Two balls entered the leftside, one just below the heart and the second below the seventh rib. A third struck her in the neck and and took a downward course, striking the spinal cord and severing it. The bullet that truck below the heart also lodged in the vertebra. Both would cause instant death. The most effective of the two, Dr. Hilliker said, had probably been that which entered the neck.
But two of the bullets were found, although a very extensive search had been made. A gash on the forehead was believed to have been from the glancing of a fourth bullet, but the coroners could not ascertain definitely, explaining that she might have sustained the injury in falling. The end of the index finger of the left hand had been torn almost off from the shot that entered the side.
That the bullets were fired at close range seemed likely, as powder marks were evident on Mrs. Weber's dress where the bullet under the heart pierced her. The five chambers in the pistol found on Weber were empty.
Two couples and Mr. Teeuwissen occupied suites of rooms on the second floor of the Green home. The lower part are the apartments of Mr. and Mrs. Green. The couples are Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Eckert and Mr. and Mrs. F.H. Spencer. All were seated reading when they heard a shriek and the shots. At first the reports were hardly discernible as pistol shots and it was not until Mr. Teeuwissen rushed up the stairs crying or help, that they were aroused.
The two men went to Teeuwissen's aid. Mrs. Eckert and Spencer ran to the front door but they could see nothing of Weber. None of the occupants of the house, even to Mrs. Green, had ever seen Weber, they said.
Formerly Lived at Kalamazoo
Mr. and Mrs. Weber formerly lived in Kalamazoo. Both came here about three years ago, when Weber went into the tailoring business on Ionia avenue. He is a German by birth, having come to America when a small boy. He was in the German army and, according to his own narration of himself, had been a soldier. The Robinson family told the police that Weber was known to have an ungovernable temper.
The police do not believe all of Weber's partial confession. They assert that the three shots all fired into Mrs. Weber's right side and only evidence of one powder mark did not prove any resistance on the part of Mrs. Weber.
- ↑ (accompanied by photographs of William R. Weber and Mrs. William R. Weber)
Man Who Shot Wife Threatens Own Life
Threats against his own life, made yesterday by William R. Weber, held in the county jail charged with the murder of his wife, Grace Weber, Sunday afternoon, caused Sheriff O'Donnell to establish a strict vigil over the prisoner.
Determined to fight the case, Weber maintains that he will never go to prison if convicted. The authorities fear that he will become despondent before the case comes to trial, and thwart justice.
He did not sleep Sunday night, and when arraigned in police court yesterday morning stood stooped and trembling. When Judge Hess finished reading the charge, he exclaimed, "I'm not guilty; I'm not guilty!"
March 5 was entered on the docket as the date for his examination. He has not yet obtained an attorney. The court room was packed to the doors with spectators.
Mrs. Dell Curtis, mother of the murdered woman, reached the city yesterday afternoon from Kalamazoo, and with a brother went to the jail , where they talked to Weber.
When the mother, hr eyes inflamed from crying, appeared before his cell she sobbed: "Will, why did you do it? My God, why did you shoot her?"
Weber, unmoved, except for a slight nervousness, tried to calm the woman, and explained that it was not his fault. He maintained tat the shots were fired in a scuffle, and that it was an accident.
"I have no money to bury the poor girl, and what will the children do?" wailed the mother.
"You can have the children, mother, and I will see that Grace does not have a pauper's burial, if I have to sell the stock in the store."
Weber referred to stock he has in a tailoring shop at Rankin, Ill. He declares that he has no money other than could be raised from his investment there.
Detectives Halloran and Dunn, who captured Weber Sunday afternoon, made a more extensive examination of the Green home at 526 Jefferson avenue, S.E., where the shooting occurred yesterday. They found two bullets, one embedded in a piano stool, and another in the floor. These, with the three that were found in Mrs. Weber's body, is evidence that five shots were fired.
- ↑ Little Weber Boys Follow Mother's Corpse to Grave in Storm
as Father, Wife Slayer, Nervously Paced Cell
In the blizzard of yesterday afternoon two little homless boys, Reginald and Frederick Weber, aged 5 and 7, followed a hearse, bearing their mother, Mrs. Grace Weber, from Corkery's chapel to a lonesome spot in a far corner of Oak Hill cemetery. There, under the wailing branches of a wind tossed pine, the freshly turned earth and a single wreath of flowers marked her last resting place.
From between the bars of a cell in an upper corridor of the county jail, a face, pale, haggard and unshaven peered blankly at the storm without. He held crumpled in one hand a funeral announcement - he knew the time, and perhaps in that blank stare a picture was formed in his mind of a hearse and two hacks, winding its way through the snow to a desolate grave.
A mother, whose last act on earth was to warn the guardians of her babies, not to permit them to see the face of a father who had deserted them, was being lowered into the earth. A mother too, stood, arms about her guardians, weeping. Four other friends completed the list of mourners. But the children, not comprehending it all, only wept when others did, and dried their tears the sooner.
Then the meager group of mourners departed, leaving the wind swishing in the branches its mournful anthems.
As the shadows of night closed in on the cell block and other prisoners quieted for the night, a morose and perhaps grief-stricken man, Walter [sic] Weber, sat on the edge of his bunk, his face in his hands, sobbing softly.
To avoid a technicality that might be raised in a higher court over the arraignment of Weber, charged with wife murder on a day that is considered a holiday because of the primary election, Judge hess in police court yesterday adjourned his hearing until this morning.
Weber appeared alone, explaining that he had expected H. Monroe Dunham to defend him, but was disappointed. He then asked to plead his own case. It is likely he will be given an opportunity in the lower court. If held to the superior court, the state will appoint an attorney to defend him, providing he has not the money to employ a lawyer.
- ↑ WEBER MADE SCENE
At Hearing yells That Testimony of Witness is Lie
The examination of William R. Weber, alleged wife slayer, was concluded late yesterday afternoon in police court with only one sensational feature. Adjournment was taken until March 12, when the testimony will be read and the prisoner held to superior court for trial.
The sensation occurred when Weber jumped to his feet and shouted, "It's a lie!" in a retort to the statement of a witness, Mrs. Lena Spencer, that she heard him say at the time of the shooting: "There, I've finished you at last!"
Tense excitement filled the courtroom, which was crowded to the doors. Edward N. Barnard, counsel for the defense, grasped his client by the shoulder and shoved him into a chair, commanding him to keep quiet.
Thin and pallid, the accused sat nervously throughout the hearing. His deep sunken eyes, hollow cheeks and frequent twisting of the mouth, was evidence of sleepless nights since his arrest.
Prosecuting Attorney Phelps believes the case will be ready for trial about the middle of March.
- ↑ Once Lived at Pokagon
Mrs. Grace Weber, murdered at Grand Rapids, has relatives there
Mrs. Grace Weber, who was murdered at Grand Rapids last Sunday by her husband, William R. Weber, was formerly a resident of Pokagon, where her father, Steven Curtis, and an aunt now live.
Weber conducted tailoring shops in several towns in southwestern Michigan before moving to Grand Rapids.
Only a few minutes before the fatal shot was fired by her husband Mrs. Weber had knelt in prayer and asked God to assist and befriend her in her hour of need. Hardly was the prayer finished before Weber came home and killed her, firing three shots.
The husband was of a morose disposition and it is thought had long contemplated either killing his wife or taking his own life.
- ↑ WEBER TRAGEDY IS ENACTED IN COURT
Witnesses Called so that the Story is Unfolded with Clearness
Accident to Be The Defense
Principal Witness to Be Examined Today - Weber May Testify in His Own Behalf
William R. Weber, charged with slaying his wife on March 2, was put on trial in superior court yesterday afternoon. The indications are that the defense will be accidental shooting.
But seven of the people's 17 witnesseses were examined and as some of the principal ones are to be heard today it is not likely that the case will go to the jury before Saturday morning. Weber, it is said, is to take the stand in his own defense.
Weber was exceedingly nervous. Once when he thought a witness had erred he jumped to his feet and shouted: "Your honor! your honor! I--" He was thrust back by Deputy Johns and commanded by his counsel to remain quiet.
Prosecuting Attorney Phelps called his witnesses in such order that the story of the crime commencing with Weber's arrival in the city on Sunday afternoon, March 2, was unfolded with clearness.
Weber Threatened Trouble
The first witness called was Mrs. Robinson of 508 Ionia avenue, who testified that Weber came to her house first upon his visit to the city. She said that her family and the Webers had been intimate friends at one time and that when he came there that afternoon she begged him not to have trouble with his wife. He replied, according to Mrs. Weber, [sic] that there would be.
J.H. Eckert who roomed at the home of Mrs. R.J. Green, 526 Jefferson avenue, where the shooting took place, testified that he heard the shots and that Walter Tueewissen, another roomer, rushing up the back stairs, and shoving them into a room, told them what had happened.
Mrs. Jennie Farnam, superintendent of the Blodgett home where the two Weber boys, sons of the accused, were staying, testified that Weber called there on Sunday afternoon, March 2, about 2 o'clock and that she would not admit him as the home was quarantined on account of chicken pox.
Coroners Testify
Dr. LeRoy, who with Dr. Hilliker performed the autopsy, exhibited a number of charts showing where the bullets entered Weber's body.
Dr. Hilliker who testified later, practically corroborated the testimony of Dr. LeRoy with the exception of just what organs one of the bullets passed through. Walter Tueewissen was the last witness called. He testified to hearing the shots - five in all - and of having picked Mrs. Weber up from the parlor floor and placing her on a couch. He said he heard her scream after the second shot was fired and later heard a man's voice shout, "Why won't you let me alone." This he said was after the last shot had been fired.
The jury is made up of Oswald Gunther, William Castor, John Karel, Isaac Robbins, Charles Scott, Arthur C. Eldred, Isaac O'Donnell, Joseph Hatton, Leonard Koets, Claude C. Downing, Henry E. Noble, Louis J. Buchsieb.
- ↑ LAWYER TAKES PART OF DEAD WOMAN
Man Who Killed Wife Then Illustrated Scuffle to Jury
WEBER'S STORY OF SHOOTING
Accidental Theory Resolves Into A Self-Defese Plea - Children of Slayer In Court
William R. Weber on trial in superior court charged with the murder of his wife, took the stand in his own behalf yesterday afternoon, and explained that the shooting was done during a scuffle in which he took the defensive. The acidental [sic] theory resolved into a self-defense plan which was announced in Attorney Edward Barnard's opening statement to the jury yesterday afternoon.
Some few minutes before Weber took the stand his two boys, aged 5 and 7 years, were ushered into the crowded courtroom and immediately sought out their father. They laughed and played gleefully on his knees unmindful of his grave predicament.
On a table almost in front of the children and their father was a half-opened box, from which the bloodstained garments of Mrs. Weber hung loosely over the table. There were empty shells and the pistol and hostler [sic] which was found on Weber when arrested.
People Rests Case.
The people rested its case at noon. A few character witnesses preceded Weber's taking the stand. All were tailors and testified that his general reputation had been good.
Weber was impetuous and answered every question with a detailed explanation. He was frequently called to task, but his anxiety to tell the story of the affair in his own way carried him away.
On direct examination Weber and his counsel illustrated to the jury the scuffle that took place between Mrs. Weber and her husband. Barnard took the position of the dead wife.
Just before adjournment, Prosecuting Attorney Phelps asked the witness point bank if he fired the shots into his wife's body. There was stillness in the courtroom. Weber took a moment of deliberation before answering: "No sir, why should I?"
Mr. Phelps demanded of Weber why he left after the shooting if it was an accident. Weber said he was afraid of the ocupants [sic] of the house. Mrs. Belle Curtis of Kalamazoo, the dead woman's mother, was asked if Walter Tueewissen, who was first to reach Mrs. Weber after the shooting, had told her that he had not heard the shots. No cross-examination was made and she was dismissed.
Several physicians were on the stand and testified that a bullet wound like those fired into Mrs. Weber's side would have a tendency to stimulate the body.
- ↑ WEBER CASE GOES TO JURY TODAY
Closing Argument of Prosecution to be Renewed This Morning
WEBER BITTERLY ARRAIGNED
Mother of Dead Woman Admits She Wrote Letter Warning Daughter Against the Defendant
The trial of William R. Weber, charged with the murder of his wife, did not reach the jury at the afternoon session of the superior court yesterday, although the session was not over until after 6 o'clock. Prosecuting Attorney Phelps will renew his closing argument at the opening of the court this morning.
During the closing address of Attorney Barnard, Weber presented a pathetic picture as he followed every word of the attorney with intense interest, breaking into sobs as Barnard touched on the home life
and the children.
During Attorney Phelps' bitter argument he remained quiet, taking in every bit of the denunciation and argurment of the prosecution and as the attorney finished at the close of court he heaved a sigh of relief.
The plea to the jury on the part of Attorney Barnard was a forceful one, filled with vivid descriptions of the scenes of the tragedy and touching recitals of the home life of the family.
The address of Prosecuting Attorney Phelps lacked the picturesque descriptions of attorney for the defense. It was a simple, straightforward arraignment [sic] of the facts.
The prosecution in the closing moments, before the arguments were opened recalled Mrs. Belle Curtis, mother of the dead woman. She was asked if she had not repeatedly warned her daughter against living with Weber because he had made threats to kill her. She denied that she had whereupon the prosecution produced such a letter, which the witness identified as in her hand writing although she claimed that she had no knowledge of writing it.
- ↑ LOCK UP WEBER JURY FOR NIGHT
Were Unable to Agree Upon a Verdict Up to Midnight
DELAY PLEASES PRISONER
When Taken Back to Jail He Asks the Court Attendants to Pray for Him
Unable to arrive at a verdict up to midnight the jury in superior court trying the case of William R. Webber [sic] charged with slaying his wife, was locked up at the Crathmore hotel at the direction of Judge Stuart. It will report at 9 o'clock this morning. Nearly 10 hours were consumed yesterday in deliberation.
A morbid crowd almost as large as those that have featured each day of the trail patiently awaited the outcome. Many women occupied front seats. On one side was a woman with a baby in her arms.
As the hours wore into the night drowsiness overcame several and here and there a dropped head could be picked out. Small groups talked in hushed tones of the lengthy deliberation of the jurors, while others strolled to and fro to soften the monotony of the long wait.
Pleased with Delay
In the lounging room Weber sat conversing with Sheriff O'Donnell, Deputy Johns and a number of others who chanced in. As time went on the prisoner seemed to gather courage, taking the delay as a good omen. Frequently he smiled as he commented on the situation. He smoked a cigar with seeming content and, as he left the city hall handcuffed to the arm of Deputy Johns, he bid a good night to those remaining and asked that they pray for him.
Shortly after 9 o'clock, when it appeared that the jury was having some difficulty, Judge Stuart talked of calling them in to ask if they wanted further instructions, on the law or evidence. Attorney Edward Barnard objected on the grounds that it would appear that the judge was not pleased with the delay.
Prosecuting Attorney Phelps finished his argument about 19.30 yesterday morning and Judge Stuart began his charge to the jury. A more impressive and well defined argument has not been delivered in superior court in a long time than was that of Edward Barnard, counsel for the defense.
Prosecuting Attorney Earl Phelps confined himself to a concise and comprehensive outline of the evidence, with no frills of the dramatic. Weber drank in every word of both attorneys.
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