John MOULTER Murder
Wednesday, November 14, 1906
KILLED HUSBAND, NOW ASKS HEAVEN TO FORGIVE HER. MRS. MOULTER SAYS HE DESERVED HIS FATE, BUT SHE SENT HIS SOUL INTO ETERNITY UNPREPARED TO FACE JUDGMENT.
Radford, Virginia, November 13 - Mrs. JOHN MOULTER, who shot and killed her husband Monday morning, November 12, 1906, is deeply repentant of her rash deed. She said Tuesday, November 13, 1906 in jail: "If I had a thousand worlds, I would give them if I could bring him back, not because I love him, for he treated me cruelly, but because of the wrong I have done and that he entered eternity unprepared." The woman is haggard beyond description and her one thought is, "Will God forgive me?" To a friend who visited her in jail, she declared that she did not dream of killing her husband, but that she was wrought up to such a pitch, she did not know what she was doing. "God only knows why I did it." she said. Mrs. MOULTER is a nervous wreck, her nerves having been upset for a number of years. She is a hard working woman and a beautiful housekeeper and gave her husband faithful, wifely affection. She has the reputation of being of violent temper and public sentiment is against her. It is stated on the best authority that her husband was peaceable and quiet with outsiders, but of disagreeable disposition in his family. The son had taken the mother's part for a long time, and he still turns towards her. He visited her in jail Monday, November 12, 1906, as did also the Baptist Minister and a neighbor, who had been her friend and to whom she had always gone with her troubles. Mrs. MOULTER seemed greatly affected by her friends' visit and threw herself into her arms and wept bitterly. Mr. MOULTER was in charge of the furnace. He was from Ohio, as was also his wife. He was 64 years old. Upon further investigation, it was ascertained that jealousy was at the bottom of the trouble, Mrs. MOULTER believing her husband unfaithful. A grand jury will be empaneled later to indict her. Mr. J.C. WYSOR, one of the leading lawyers of this section, has been appointed by the Pulaski Iron Company to assist Commonwealth's Attorney Draper in the prosecution.
Sunday, December 2, 1906
Roanoke, Virginia, December 1 - The jury in the case of Mrs. HARRIET MOULTER, charged with the murder of her husband, whom she shot and killed in the Moulter home at Pulaski, Virginia several weeks ago during a quarrel, Saturday evening, December 1, 1906 returned a verdict of murder in the second degree, fixing the punishment at 18 years in the State Penitentiary. The defense was that the woman was insane on the subject of her husband's conduct toward her.
Monday, December 2, 1906
18 YEARS FOR MURDER
Womans Trial had aroused public sentiment in her favor and lesser penalty was expected - Her daughters who stood by their mother are heartbroken - Case may be appealed
East Radford, Virginia - The trial of Mrs. Harriet Moulter, for the murder of her husband, John W. Moulter, day foreman at the Pulaski Iron Company furnace, ended today, the jury bringing in a verdict of murder in the second degree and fixing the penalty at eighteen years in the penitentiary. The jury was out several hours, ten members advocating the death penalty and two members holding out against them. The verdict came as a surprise, a manslaughter verdict being expected and general regret was expressed in public at the findings of the jury
Though public sentiment was at first strongly against Mrs. Moulter, the evidence brought out in the trial has aroused great sympathy for the prisoner and changed sentiment in her favor. The hearing began this morning. The defense was represented by Mr. Trinkle and Allen T. Eskeridge, and the prosecution by Attorney General S. Draper and J.C. Wysor. It has not been decided yet whether the case will be carried up to a higher court.
The crime for which Mrs. Moulter is convicted occurred January 12, 1906 when she shot her husband four times, killing him instantly. The immediate cause for the shooting was a quarrel between herself and husband over some insurance papers that had been lost. The trouble however dates back for years according to the testimony, Mr. Moulter having treated his wife cruelly and been guilty of infidelities which it was testified rendered her nearly frantic. The defense was emotional insanity and self defense.
Great sympathy is felt for the daughters of Mrs. Moulter, Mrs. Eanes of Roanoke and Miss Colo. of Radford who have stood by their mother from the beginning. They are heartbroken at the verdict.
Transcribed by Tami Ramsey