WIFE’S CONFESSION OF MURDER

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3681, 16 November 1912, Page 10

WIFE’S CONFESSION OF MURDER

TRAGEDY WHICH ENDED A LO V ELESS IA R RIA GE.

Frau Blume, the wife of tho wellknown archaeologist of Posen Museum, who was arrested last month on suspicion of murdering her husband, confessed next day that she shot him “in a moment of mental confusion.” Dr Blume and his wife wore saying good-bye to some friends before their departure for Hanover, and while waiting for a train both wandered into a forest near tho station. There, according to tho wife, Dr Blume nccidentaßy shot himself with his revolver.

Frau Blume*s confession was practically forced by the discovery of the detectives that she had recently purchased two revolvers, the second having been bought the day before Dr B 1 lime’s sudden death. She herself declared that her husband purchased the revolver that day, but the gunsmith to-day made a sworn statement that Frau Blume was the purchaser. It appears that the doctor was in possession of certain evidence regarding his wife’s actions which amounted to a- confession by another man. It is said that Dr Blume met his rival leaving his house one day in dune. There 1 was a violent scene between the doctor, his wife, and the other man, resulting in the smashing of all the staircase windows.

Tho most tragic feature of the ease, however, was the statement made that Frau Blume was originally engaged to a young engineer, to whom she had given her heart. Dr Blume honored tho young girl with his attentions, and under pressure from him the original engagement was cancelled.

It was a strictly worldly, and from the outset unhappy, marriage, made partly under pressure, and partly dictated by the dignity attaching, especially in Germany, to tho doctor’s position as a State official.