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TRIAL FOR MURDER.The Russell Case Began at Eau Claire■Mil jYesterday.-DIFFICULTY IN GETTING A JURY.■ 36 •Mrs. Thomas Russell Charged WithPoisoning Bertha Erickson,. - *;9S/...A v.a Young Bride.After a half dozen adjournments,the case of the state of Wisconsin vs.Mrs. Thos. Russell, charged with themurder of Bertha Erickson, the youngbride of Peter Erickson, was calledin the Circuit Court at Eau Claireyesterday morning, before Judge W.F. Bailey. The state was represented by District Attorney W. H. Fraw-ley, assisted by W. W. Irwin, thenoted St. Paul criminal lawyer.Mrs. Russell appeared with her Attorney, V. W. James. The legalball was set in motion by the de-fendent’s counsel objecting to theappearance of Mr. Irwin as one ofi hoattorneys for the state. Mr.James' principal objection, as heclaimed, was on the grounds thatMr. Irwin was.a high-priced lawyer,and the county would be put to greatandunnecessaryF rawley an s weredexpense.that fromMr.theamount. of interest taken by leading and wealthy Eau Claire citizens,as well as a matter of right, he wasjustified in calling in assistance.Mr. James asked the court that incase Mr. Irwin was permitted toact of counsel for the prosecution,that his (Irwin’s) fee be fixed at notto exceed $15 per day. The court,without much hesitation concludedthat Mr. Irwin might act with District Attorney Fra wley for the slateand stated that the fees would be.fixed at the end of the trial, andat such an amount as to the courtshould seem adequate.The matter of securing a jury wasuexfc taken up and proved a most dicult task. A portion of the forenoon, all afternoon and, through along session in the evening, jurorafter juror was crlied up and putthrough a volumes of questions. By9 o’clock p. m,, when about fifty jurors had been examined, the jurywas struck and the court adjourneduntil 9 a. m. to-day, The first witnessthis morning will be Prof. Haines ofRush Medical College, the expertwho made the examination of thecontents of Bertha Erickson’s stomach.The case promises to last for weeksand bids fair to out rival the famousZoldoski case.HISTORY OF THE CASE.Aon Wednesdaycoroner s jurymorning, Mav 27.1891, returnedverdict ofguilty against Elizabethlussell, wife of Thomas Russell, whofor twenty odd years has worked and locatedcampsthe Valleyandrespect of alL The chargestate againstpoisonBertha Ericksoncient quan-ties to cause death on April 1, 1891.Thisbids fair to outrival the notedZoldoski trial, and it has receivedmostAs the timeapproachesis ageneral feeling of expectancy. Therebeen many sensational featuresthe affair, and something new iscroppingMany areoutspoken inbelief that Mrs.Russell is innocentported by the wealthy empher husband. On her bondsirson and Geo. A. Buffington. SheageWhile herhusbandabsent in the lumberw oods she managed a good-sized farmth admirable business sagacityShe has lived in this city or closer twenty-seven years.appeargood lookingbeencustomedsharpthought andoccasionBertha was slightly ill. A physicianwas called, who pr9nounced her illness of a trifling nature, and left a pre-ONscription. She improved for somedays, and them came a sudden turnfor the worse, and a quick death..HandShortly after burial the suspicious rumors took form, and mysterious [hintswere made, first in connection with theTHIRhusband’s name, then of his brother,and finally against Mrs. Russell. Itwas pointed out that Mrs. Russell be- 51came sick herself two days after Ber-elt;tha’s death, and when offered medicine deliriously exclaimed, ‘ Oh notspoon; that killed BerthaErickson had the bodyA cexhumed. An examinationday zshowed the presencethinglargeDrsloontestified(Iar-chaugpoisonmg‘•keepbefore statedthat 1againstThereing tllongbe clcbefore proceedings were broughtwas Lagainst Mrs. Russellstoutlythe kmaintaining her innocence, quietlyattendedsmi liithe farm, though having ample op-thirstescapeIt was not un-only itil Dec. 3 following that she was ar-rested.To msPERSONAL riON.manystandTalk about People or Chippewa Fall* inand Out of the City,businB. F. Leonard, of Fifiold, is in theprecichoweicity.thougH. A. Buefi has gone to Duluth on man 'business.thereSheriff Stumm is at Bruce on pro- conifcbusinesssomeyesterday in the city.spentheartothersRobt. Howie, left yesterday- for a Pr a dcruisethe spMcCord spentmg orbusinessyesterday at Rice Lake.spentIt istokeeW. H. Morford lookedbut it* . ^ ness matters at Hayward yesterday.J. ILeClercbronckee to look after some business matters.Hon. H. H. Hayden of Eau Claire,transacted business in the city yesterday.Mrs. Frank Perrin of Madison hasned her husbandin the city:G. Norgren of Rice Lake, was theMrover Sunday.Lange ofguestbrother Charles inthe city yesterday.Archie McDonald and J. F. Mit-Cadottin the city yesterday.Ex-city Surveyor David Kirk leftyesterday for Vernona Junction, to dosome civil engineering for F. Weyer-hauser.CadottspentVThe Independent acknowledges afriendly call.RotClaireBf-GrancA ventWbeautiwith IHerfarmiiPoint,Silater tEd.Dust’*JibendiiTellPetsetterLo;cent-1his heOscthe viandma Cutting and Mrs. John Mander-attended the “SocialSession” in the city last evening.Joething*Frato theOleBISHOP COTTER’S LECTURE.StatuTo be Given at the Notre Dame Church onWednesday.The following notice was accident-Ed.of a CJohally omittedof JalSentinelNext Wednesday Rt Rev. Bi Cotter of Winona Minnesota will a temperance lecture at St.Church Notre Dame.IkeJChiMary’sThe Bishop isnost fluent speakers in the and we hope all onr nonends who take an interest 3 of total abstinence will r him. thev will find histhe dier ancLorlong iC.to and hear him, they will iscourseboth edifying and instructive. Archbishop Ireland, Bishop Cotter and the Rev. Father Cloajry, of Kenosha, form a trio of lectures unmatched upon this continent. If we had one hundred of their beliefThaclLeecareleF.wormiEliand abilities in the Church, the saloon i rectioi habit would soon cease, but the sad part of the story is that those to whom the guardianship of the people is given are slow to move in the matter, andbe onm thiihence the small amount of progressiDit. imade against the drinking h In the evening at 8 o’clock.yesteithethe ctSocial Sessionday.ChippewawarralUUUgUV WAV* —--- - —; - * * -r Vsince the commencement of this trial Falls audience had the opportunity ,feelingsThismusical comedyfor hiwhendetective representedSocial Session” at the operahimself to be her lawyer’s assistant house last evening. The performtried to worm his wayconfidence, she having been lodgedance,choicethroughout, sparkled withThe isongs and sayings thatwhennomany an encore.OfFoi,pe df her obtaining bondseralaEdward E. Nickereon’s coronet solo ter;aifollowing dayMiss Anna Whitting s trombone ^fell in lovespecial mention deserves to be gjon {Rnssellmade. As a whole the entertainment rej.ar]farm, had engaged Peter Ericksongood.assistant, and one of the claimsthe prosecution is that she fell%NEEDS REPAWNrouncberthwithalso occasionallyTl»c J«*fr**r*ou Avenue Bridge in Buddition. *sin GFoiimployed a brother of Peter s, AdamThe attention of the BoardSoutlErickson. Both these brothers loved lie Works was, yesterday, calledSonnBertha Jennisoo, a pretty youngfact that the north pier underspnwillswoman of 17 years, and a neighbor. Bridge across Duncan Creek cm7, golt;Bertha returned Peterhow - ferson Avenue is badly out of repair I $28.11and they were married. They and needs attention at once to pre- infoncame into town and spent a few days j Tent serious damagewholetheir honeymoon, whoa tey had structure.const!Foithe picture here shown taken. ThenLUonhome, EricksonCentitook his bride to Mrs. Russell’s andA girl for general housework in aresumed his work. This woajy small family. Enquire at Duncan’s ^ried life of the young people lastingtrip.tFoall Oldy fix weeks and three days. Corner lot, good house and barn ferenWhen they arrived at Mrs. Russell’s | for $750.F. M. Richardson.churlt;
Newspaper Details
Chippewa Falls Daily Independent
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, US
Tue, Apr 26, 1892
Page 3
Full Page
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WI, USA 07 Apr 2018
Other Publications Near Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
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