Note: Annie Wagner was acquitted. The impression made by this result in light of the evidence was that “not guilty” was a nullification verdict due to juror’s sympathy for Aniie’s claim of self-sacrifice in her capacity as a caregiver to motherless children. The evidence nevertheless supports the charges that she was a serial killer.
***
Arsenic Deaths:
Mary Koesters (wife of Charles), 31 – died Oct. 15, 1892
Baby, 3 months – died Jan. 6, 1891[?]
Frank L. Koesters (father of Charles), 74 – died Jan. 26,
1893
Mary M. Koesters (daughter of Charles), 8 – died Feb. 27,
1893
Clara Koesters, 73 – date of death?
***
FULL TEXT (Article 1 of 2): A case which rivals in interest
the late Borden mystery is now being tried in the Criminal Court here.
Last summer Frank Koesters, Mrs. Clara Koesters, Mamie
Koesters, an infant, died suddenly within the space of a few months at their
home in this city. The symptoms attending their deaths were of a most violent
type, suggestive of poisoning, and Charles Koesters, the husband and
father, began an investigation with the
assistance of the coroner, which culminated in the arrest of Annie Wagner, a
domestic in the employ of the Koesters family.
The only motive that could be assigned for the deed was a
strange infatuation which the girl had for Charles Koesters. She determined to
become his mistress, and, it is alleged, poisoned the whole family in order
that she might accomplish her purpose. Charles Koesters, the first witness, was
put on stand to-day. He related the story of the deaths and dwelt upon the
actions of the girl toward him.
She was always at his command, and would do many things for
him, the performance of which properly belonged to other members of the family.
On every possible occasion she displayed a desire to be in his company. Once,
he said, when his friends were expressing their sympathy for him in his
bereavement, he remarked:
“Well, my daughter Mamie is still left. Death has not taken
her away, and she will soon be big enough to assume the duties of my household
and comfort me.”
“You want a woman,” broke in the alleged murderess. “These
American girls can’t be trusted and are too fond of running around.”
The father then declared that the daughter should have its
dead mother’s place, and in one week the child died with symptoms of arsenical
poisoning. The case against her is very strong, as a neighboring druggist will
testify that the accused brought “Rough on Rats” from him. He knew the girl
personally and cannot be mistaken, he says, in her identity.
[“A Modern Borgia. – Annie Wagner On Trial For Four Murders
– Her Infatuation For a Husband and Father.” The Morning Herald (Baltimore,
Md.), Dec. 8, 1893, p. 8]
***
FULL TEXT (Article 2 of 2): Indianapolis, Dec. 28. – After
being out for twelve hours the jury in Annie Wagner murder case brought in a
verdict of not guilty. The courtroom was crowded, and the announcement of the
verdict was received with cheer after cheer. During a scene of the wildest
confusion the prisoner fainted away. Through the trial Annie Wagner has
manifested the most stoical indifference and it was not until the verdict of
the jury that her feelings obtained mastery over her. Mr. Holtzman, the
prosecutor, announced that as the state had failed to convict in this, its best
case, and owing to the state of public opinion, he deemed it best to dismiss
the other two indictments for murder against the prisoner.
Not since the trial of Mrs. Nancy Clem for the murder of
Jacob Young and wife as at Cold Springs, north of this city, twenty years ago,
has the Indianapolis public been as much interested in a murder trial as in the
case which has just closed.
Looking further for evidence of a crime, a druggist, George
F. Borst, at Meridian street and Russell avenue, was found, who said that Anna
Wagner had purchased a box of “rough on rats” from his store on May 22. the
family physician was Dr. Reyer, who told the coroner that he had no doubt Mrs.
Clara Koesters had died from poison, and advised that an analysis of the
stomach of the dead woman he made. The coroner gave the viscera of the dead
woman to Dr. Eisenbeiss for analysis, and the doctor reported back that arsenic
had been found in sufficient quantities to cause death. On the evidence Anna
Warner was arrested. At the time of her arrest, the prisoner denied having any
poison in her possession, although the half emptied box was afterward found in
the closet where she kept her clothes. She was taken to the drug store where
the poison was brought, and she denied to Druggist Morst ever having brought
and “rough on rats” from him. Charles Koersters added a sensation to the story
of the crime by making a statement that he thought the woman was in love with
him, and he furnished the motive for the crime of suggesting that she wanted to
get his wife and children out of the way to make room for him to marry her.
~ All Were Poisoned. ~
The people in the Koesters family who died under suspicious
circumstances were: Mary Koesters family who died under suspicious
circumstances were: Mary Koesters, age 31, the wife of Charles, October 15,
1892, the baby, age 3 months, found dead in bed January 6, 1891[?]; Frank L.
Koesters, age 74, the father of Charles, January 26. Mary M. Koesters, age 8,
daughter of Charles, February 27, and last, Clara Koesters, age 73. Each of
them, except the baby, was ill for about the same length of time and showed the
same symptoms. The evidence taken before the coroner was of such nature that he
felt justified in ordering the bodies of the dead exhumed and their stomachs
removed. This was done and the viscera was turned over to Dr. Eisenbeiss for
analysis. The doctor did not make a complete report for several weeks, but at
the end of that period he announced that he had found arsenic in every one of
the stomachs submitted to him.
~ Sent to Jail. ~
Anna Wagner had a hearing in the police court on Tuesday,
Kune 25. the examination lasted until June 22, at which time the prisoner was
admitted to bail in the sum of $ [illegible]. A few days thereafter she
furnished the security and was taken to the house of her brother-in-law. here
she remained until the grand jury met and returned an indictment against her
for murder in the first degree. She was rearrested and taken to jail without
the privilege of bail. She has lain in jail ever since.
~ In Her Own Defense. ~
On December 18 the accused was placed on the stand in her
own defense. She made a general denial of the crime. She said that after the
death of Mrs. Koesters, the wife of Charles Koesters, Mr. Koesters said to her
that he would depend upon her to look after the clothing and their children,
that he knew nothing about such things himself; that she took care of the
children because they were motherless, and that all her attentions to him and
to them was on account of the fact trhat the wife and mother was dead.
[“Not Guilty. – Annie Wagner Acquitted of the Charge of
Murder. – The Jury on the Sensational Case Which Has Been on Trial at
Indianapolis Sets Her Free.” Clinton Weekly Age (Io.), Dec. 29, 1893, part 2,
p. 1]
***
[1794-12/28/20]
***
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