Shelby County Indiana History & Genealogy, Newspaper articles

Shelby County Indiana
Newspaper Articles

Carl

The Vidette-Messenger
Valpariso, Indiana Wednesday, 26 May 1937
Page 1, col. 7
----------
THREE LIFERS GIVEN PAROLES
----------
INDIANAPOLIS, May 26.—(UP)
—Three life term convicts, two under sentence for murder and the third convicted of criminal assault, today were granted paroles by the Indiana state clemency commission. They included: Mrs. Clara Carl, 54, sentenced in 1922 for the murder of her husband in Shelby county. George Davis, 52, sentenced from Lake county in 1911 for the murder of a young woman with whom he was living. Lester Hodge, sentenced from Randolph county in 1927 on a criminal assault charge.
Contributed by Marsha Ensminger

The Kokomo Daily Tribune
Kokomo, Indiana
Monday, 12 Oct 1925
Page 3, col. 2
----------
MURDERESS CAUGHT
INDIANA WOMAN SLAYER SAYS
SHE IS GLAD HIDING
IS OVER
----------
Columbus. O., Oct. 12.—“I had hoped to escape, but am glad now I don't have to hide: any more,” Mrs. Clara Carl. 60-year-old (sic)murderess, thus accepted her capture Saturday night by Columbus detectives. "I prayed night and day that they wouldn't find me, but I guess my capture Is for the best." Following her escape, Oct. 3, from the Indiana Women's prison at Indianapolis, she hid out in the vicinity of the penitentiary till nearly dawn of the next day, watching the huge searchlights of the institution play all around her, although none of them "spotted" her. "I suppose many of what I thought were searchlights were merely auto lights," she said, "but every light seemed to say, there she is, there she is, there she is.'' Details of the first few days of her freedom are a bit hazy in Mrs. Carl's memory, and she is unable to tell exactly what towns she passed through. She told, however, of the manner in which she begged food at farmhouse doors, and of the manner in which she begged rides from kindly motor- ists. Mostly, she said, she did her traveling on foot at night, in fear of the tanacles (sic) of the law. which she knew were reaching out for her. "Not a day passed," she said, "but what I was reminded, that they were searching for me. Some times I would hear people speak of me as I passed them on the streets of a small town. Sometimes I would read about myself in a newspaper I would pick up in some waiting room, where I would go for warmth.” On one occasion, the woman said, she missed capture by only a matter of inches. She was sitting on the bank of a small stream in eastern Indiana, bathing her bruised, bleeding feet in the water. Suddenly, flash lights began playing in the shadows about her and she had only time to shrink back into a clump of bushes before two men, recognized as officers, began searching the bank for her. “From their conversation,” she said, “I knew they were aware I was in the vicinity, and I crouched low and held my Bible close and prayed they wouldn’t see me. My prayers were answered, for they passed on without detecting my presence. But the shock so unnerved me that I became hysterical and began screaming to them to come back and arrest me. I guess they had gotten out of earshot, however, for they never returned.
Contributed by Marsha Ensminger

The Moberly Weekly Monitor
Moberly, Missouri
Thursday, 15 Jun 1922
Page 3, col. 5
----------
LOCAL MURDER
CASE IS SOLVED
----------
Mrs. Clara Gibson Carl,
Formerly of Huntsville, Given
Lift (sic)in Prison For
Alleged Murder of Husband.
----------
CHARGES SHE POISONED
HUSBAND IN HUNTSVILLE
----------
Mrs. Clara Gibson Carl, the woman who is alleged to have murdered her husband, Robert Gibson in Huntsville on March 18, 1920, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the supreme court at Shelbyville, Indiana, a few days ago on a charge of having pois- oned her second husband, Frank Carl, according to the Huntville Herald. Dr. Barnhart and Andrew Minor of Huntsville were called to Shelbyville two weeks ago to testify in the case, but the court ruled that while they might have evidence which would convict her of the murder of Gibson, their evident (sic) could not be permitted to go to the jury in the case then being heard. It was alleged that this feminine Bluebeard also poisoned her father-in-law in order to get hm out of the way, then killed his son, Frank Carl, her second husband, to get the money of both. Gibson was Poisoned. Those who are familiar with the case as it concerns Huntsville, say that Robert Gibson positively was killed by arenic (sic) poisoning and that the actions of his wife weresuch as to justify the belief that she undoubtedly killed him.
Robert Gibson and his wife came to Huntsville in March 1920. They took rooms in a private family for light housekeeping. Gibson was enaged in getting up a county directory for Randolph county. Little was known of him, but it was generally understood that he was a newspaper man. Had Many Friends. Mr. Gibson had many friends in a business and social way, and it seemed that all who knew him spoke well of him. The death and burial of Gibson was shrouded in mystery. His remains were rushed away hurriedly after his death, and the strange actions of his wife and the evidence of the doctor and undertaker who were called in the case form a chain of evidence which left no doubt that he was murdered by arsenic poisoning and that his wife did the terrible deed to get his money.
The then Mrs. Gibson (now Mrs. Carl) filed a report after Gibson’s death showing that he had $400 in a Huntsville bank. As a matter of fact he had $1,000 in bank. Just how much life insurance she collected after her horrible deed is not known at this time but the probabilities are she got several thousand.
On several occasions since the mysterious death of Gibson officers from other states have visited Huntsville and secured statements and evidence bearing on his death.
Contributed by Marsha Ensminger

The News-Sentinel
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Monday, 12 Jun 1922
Page 1, col. 3
----------
MRS. CLARA CARL IS
DENIED NEW TRIAL
----------
(By United Press.)
SHELBYVILLE, June 13.—A new trial was denied Clara Gibson Carl, the alleged feminine bluebeard today. The woman was sentenced to life imprisonment for the poisoning of her second husband, Frank Carl. Following denial of the new trial by Judge Blair, the woman was to be taken to prison to start serving her sentence. Indications were that the case would be carried to the supreme court. Attorneys asked 100 days in which to perfect an appeal. Evidence was introduced in her trial in an effort to prove she also poisoned her first husband, Robert Gibson and Alonzo Carl, father of Frank.
Contributed by Marsha Ensminger

The News-Sentinel
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Friday, 9 Jun 1922
Page 24, col. 4
----------
MRS. CARL IS TRYING
FOR ANOTHER TRIAL
----------
SHELBYVILLE, June 9. – A motion for a new trial of Clara Gibson Carl, convicted of poisoning her second husband, was on file in Shelbyville circuit court today. It questioned the judgment of the court in permitting the introduction of evidence in connection with the death of her father-in-law, Alonzo Carl, and her first husband, Robert Gibson, in whose intestines arsenic was said to have been found. Mrs. Carl collapsed when she was found guilty of second degree murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment but she has virtually recovered.
Contributed by Marsha Ensminger

The News-Sentinel
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Sunday, 4 June 1922
Page 1, col. 3
----------
MRS. CARL SENTENCED
TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT
----------
Alleged Woman Bluebeard of
Shelbyville, Found Guilty
of Murdering Husband.
----------
WILL DEMAND RETRIAL
----------
(By United Press.)
SHELBYVILLE, June 3.—A crushed and broken-hearted woman was led from the courtroom of Judge Alonzo Blair today. Clara Gibson Carl, alleged femi- nine Bluebeard, heard her fate pro- nounced by Judge Blair. "Guilty of murder in the second degree." And then the pronouncement: "Imprisonment in the women's prison for life." Late this afternoon the woman who was. branded by a jury as the murderess of Frank Carl, her second husband, was in a state of collapse. Her condition was considered grave. The verdict was reached after the jury had deliberated throughout the night. She had testified coolly and unemotionally, looking the jurors squarely in the eye. Conviction was obtained by the state upon the basis of the evidence introduced to show that Mrs. Carl had fed arsenic to her first husband and his father as well as to her second husband.
According to her attorney, Ed K. Adams, he and Mrs. Carl's other lawyers will attempt to obtain a new trial on a motion based on the claim that certain evidence was illegally admitted, which will probably be filed Monday.
The trial had stirred all of Indiana for seven days. She was indicted after the bodies of Frank Carl and his father, Alonzo, had been exhumed at Hiawatha. Kan., and arsenic revealed in their intestines. Later traces of arsenic were found in the body of Robert Gibson, the first husband, who was buried at Nelsonville,. O.
Contributed by Marsha Ensminger

The News-Sentinel
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Friday, 2 June 1922
Page 23, col. 6
----------
MRS. CARL'S ATTORNEY
GIVES CREDIT TO GOD
----------
(By United Press)
SHELBYVILLE, Ind., June 2 — "God made Mrs. Carl and she is a woman. Prosecutor Ging is not treating her as a woman when he calls her 'an arch fiend' and ‘a murderess’ when the evidence does not substantiate it.". Clara Gibson Carl, alleged feminine Bluebeard, broke down and wept and disrupted court in her murder trial here today when Attorney E. K. Adams made that declaration during one of the closing arguments. Relatives crowded around the accused woman and consoled her. Adams was replying to Prosecutor Waldo C. Ging, who characterized Mrs. Carl as a “female Bluebeard” and tried to prove she had fed arsenic to her two husbands and the father of one at them. She is charged with poisoning Carl, but the state endeavored to prove that she also poisoned Alonzo Carl, father of Frank, and Robert Gibson, her first husband. Judge Alonzo Blair will start introducing evidence to the jury at four o'clock this afternoon when final arguments will be ended. Ging asked a verdict of guilty on an indictment of first degree murder which carries the death penalty. He asked that the jury determine the punishment, however, on the basis of facts without specifically demanding capital punishment.
Contributed by Marsha Ensminger

The News-Sentinel
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Thursday. 1 Jun 1922
Page 1, col 2
----------
DEFENSE OF MRS. CARL
ENDS ITS CASE TODAY
----------
(By United Press)
SHELBYVILLE, Ind.. June 1.—Attorneys for Clara Gibson Carl, alleged feminine bluebeard. rested their rase today in her murder trial on a charge of poisoning Frank Carl, her second husband. The widow was the last to testify in the defense. The state immediately started introducing rebuttal testimony and it appeared the arguments would be ended tonight.
Contributed by Marsha Ensminger

The Indianapolis Star
Sunday Morning, May 28, 1922
Page 1
----------
STATE COMPLETES
ITS EVIDENCE IN
MRS. CARL'S CASE
----------
[ Special to The Indianapolis Star. ]
----------
SHELBYVILLE, Ind., May 27. -- The state closed its evidence this afternoon in the case against Mrs. Clara Gibson Carl, of Hancock county, who was placed on trial last Monday in the Shelby Circuit court, charged with the murder of Frank Carl, her second husband.
Court was adjourned following the announcement that the prosecution had rested its evidence. The defense will begin the examination of witnesses with the opening of court Monday morning. Attorneys for Mrs. Carl stated this evening that they had not decided whether an opening statement will be made in her behalf, but were inclined to believe that none would be given. The defense will require two or three days to examine witnesses it was stated.
From witnesses today the state endeavored to show that before and after the death of Frank Carl, husband of the defendant, that Mrs. Carl had been intimate with Ed Glasscock, a prominent attorney of Greenfield.
Contributed by John Addison Ballard

The Indianapolis Star
May 27, 1922
----------
CARL'S BROTHER
GOES ON STAND
----------
Says Sister-in-Law Was Eager
to Get Insurance Money
After Death.
----------
[ Special to The Indianapolis Star. ]
----------
SHELBYVILLE, Ind., May 24 -- Objections of the defense settled the status of an attempt by state attorneys to introduce certain evidence at the trial of Mrs. Clara Gibson Carl charged with the murder of Frank Carl, her second husband which would tend to connect her with also having administered arsenic causing the death of Robert Gibson her first husband. Judge Alonzo Blair sustained the defense objection and upheld his ruling issued earlier in the trial that the evidence of the state in the death of Robert Gibson would not be competent for introduction at the trial.
An unusual indicent of the case occurred at the close of court this evening when Herman Carl of Kansas City, Kas., brother of Frank Carl, who had testified for the state during the afternoon concerning the actions and statements of the defendant, his former sister-in-law stepped from the witness stand. Several minutes later Mrs. Carl motioned to Mr. Carl to come to her and he soon responded. The two met in the middle of the court room. Both were friendly and inquired after the welfare of each other. Mrs. Carl presented him to her brother, sister and niece, who are attending the trial. They conversed at length before she was taken to her cell in the county jail.
Incidents Related in Detail
Herman Carl occupied the witness chair the greater part of this afternoon, detailing the happenings that occurred at the death of his father, Alonzo Carl, 85 years old and the death of Frank Carl, his brother. He asserted that his father had been in very good health until he came to Indiana from Kansas to live with Mr. and Mrs. Carl. He testitifed that he was first advised of his brother's illness by a letter from Mrs. Carl, which, he admitted on cross-examination, advised him to come to Greenfield, as his brother was very ill. He testified that a later letter informed him that his brother believed he was recovering but the defendant added that she could not see any change.
At the time Mrs. Carl arrived in Kansas City, Kas., with the body of her husband the witness testified that Mrs. Carl told that her husband had died from cirrhosis of the liver. The day after the funeral he testified that he met Mrs. Carl in Kansas City and they discussed the matter of obtaining property that had been owned by his father but which had been transferred to Dr. Iles, brother-in-law of the witness, two years before. He asserted that Mrs. Carl suggested that they make an effort to get this property and have the estate divided so they could get their shares. Mr. Carl also testified that upon her arrival in Kansas City with the body that the defendant immediately spoke of notifying the insurance company of her husband's death. He testified that she said she had been compelled to mortgage her home near Greenfield in order to pay the expenses incurred by the deaths of Alonzo Carl and her husband. The company was notified, he said. Mr. Carl said the defendant had displayed normal grief at the funeral of her husband in Hiawatha, Kas.
Neighbor Testifies.
The testimony given by Mrs. Lizzie Maynard of near Philadelphia, Hancock county, developed the theory of the state that Mr. Carl was tired of hier husband. Mrs. Maynard told of a conversation with Mrs. Carl when the defendant had with her a complaint for a divorce which she had filed in Hancock Circuit court against her husband. When she was asked what her groungs were for the action, the witness testified that Mrs. Carl remarked that it did not matter much "that if the law did not provide a way there was always some way." Mrs. Maynard denied on cross-examination that she said that she would testify at the trial against Mrs. Carl unless the defendant gave her some money.
Herman Mohr, a neighbor, testified that he was a visitor at the Carl hom several times during the illness of Frank Carl. He said that he once remarked to Mr. Carl that he acted as if he had been poisoned. He said that Mr. Carl answered that he must have eaten it in food or otherwise. The witness testified that he saw Mr. Carl give her husband some medicine and that Carl remarked that if he did not get better pretty quick that he would think Mrs. Carl was a poor nurse. She answered that she was doing the best that she could, Mr. Mohr stated.
Mrs. Bessie Curry and daughter, Miss Thelma Curry, both of Kansas City testified for the state of a visit that was made by Mrs. Carl at their home on the evening of Aug. 3[?], 1921, when the defendant was enroute to Hiawatha with the body of her husband for burial there. Both witnesses testified that Mrs. Carl hesitated when questioned what had caused Mr. Carl's death but finally answered that it was due to cirrhosis of the liver.
Mrs. Curry and her daughter also told of Mrs. CArl's description of the funeral service that was held in Greenfield for the body of Frank Carl. They said she told them there had been so many persons present that the service was held in the yard, that a truck load of chairs were brought from Greenfield and that the rooms were filled with flowers. Previous vistnesses had testified that the service was unusually quite. The witnesses also said that Mrs. Carl on the occasion told of having made wine, of having had much entertainment and many beer parties at the home. They testified that she described Mr. Carl's death as sudden saying they were entertaining at the time when he suddenly gasped, his mouth filled with water and he was dead. They also said that Mrs. Carl told them she often made candy for Alonzo Carl because he was very fond of it but that she never ate any candy.
Describes Embalming Fluids.
John Murphy, sexton of the cemetery of Kiawatha, was a state witness in the trial and described the funeral services for the two bodies and the exhuming of the bodies for the purpose of removing parts of the viscera.
Charles F. Hendricks, manager of the Emblamers Supply Company of Westport, Conn., testified that no arsenic is placed in any embalming fluids manufactured by his firm, which were used in preparing the bodies of Alonzo Carl and Frank Carl.
Dr. Earnest [?]. Sisson of Greenfield told the jury of treatments given Alonzo Carl at the time of his death. Dr. Sisson said that the man told him that he might as well die and that he had lived his time. The witness told of the appearance of the sick mand and said that he had disgnosed the case as dysentery in an extreme form.
Several hypothetical questions were asked Dr. Henry R. Alburger of Indianapolis, who testified earlier in the week. The questions were the same as those asked in regard to the death of Frank Carl, the charges geing in the manner of death and symptoms at the death of Alonzo Carl.
Whether the state will close its evidence Saturday depends on a ruling of the court that will be given Saturday morning for the admission of state evidence to show amorous actions of Mrs. Carl, with a prominent resident of Greenfield. If this testimony is permitted, the state will not close until Saturday evening, the prosecution announced this evening.
Contributed by John Addison Ballard

The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
Wednesday, 24 May 1922
Page 1, col. 2
----------
CHEMIST FINDS
ARSENIC IN BODY
----------
McAbee Testifies That He
Traced Five Grains of
Poison in Organs
----------
STATE SPRINGS SURPRISE
----------
SHELBYVILLE, Ind., May 23.— Five grains of arsenic were found in the liver, stomach and kidneys of Frank Carl, according to William D. McAbee, an analytical chetmist of Indianapolis, who testified for the state in the circuit court here today at the trial of Mrs. Clara Carl, charged with the murder of her husband, Frank Carl, by the administration of poison. It was also brought out that five grains of arsenic will cause death. The defense vigorously cross-examined Mr. McAbee. Earlier in the session the state sprung a surprise by introducing Miss Rhoda Loeher, clerk in a drug store at Greenfield, Ind.. near where the Carls lived, who testified that she had sold Mrs. Carl arsenic the last Saturday in July, 1921. Miss Loeher did not remember the exact amount of the sale, but said it was not less than five cents worth. She testified that Mrs. Carl told her she desired tho poison for the purpose of killing a cat that was killing her chickens. Miss Loeher did not testify before the grand Jury which indicted Mrs. Carl and only recently spoke of the incident. She was questioned at length by the defense attorneys.
Contributed by Marsha Ensminger

The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
Tuesday, 23 May 1922
Page 1, col. 3
----------
Woman Faces Jury
to Answer Charge
of Slaying Mate
----------
SHELBYVILLE, Ind. May 22.— A jury to try Mrs. Clara Carl, charged with murdering her husband by administering poison, was selected in circuit court here today. Following the selection of a jury, counsel for the state outlined their case, contending that the evidence would show that Frank Carl died as the result of eating arsenic, which was placed in small quantities of his food. Policies of life Insurance, the prosecution asserted, was the motive for the act.
Contributed by Marsha Ensminger

The Fort Wayne News Sentinel
May 23, 1922
----------
MRS. CARL BOUGHT ARSENIC
FROM SHELBYVILLE DRUGGIST
----------
(By United Press)
----------
SHELBYVILLE, Ind. May 23 -- A girl drug clerk from Greenfield aided the state today in its efforts to convict Clara Gibson Carl of being a feminine Bluebeard.
Miss Rhoda Loehr testified that shortly before her second husband died, Mrs. Carl bought arsenic.
The bodies of Mrs. Carl's first and second husbands and the father of the latter were exhumed and they showed traces of arsenic in the stomachs.
Robert Gibson, the first husband; Frank Carl, the second, and Alonzo Carl, father of Frank, all died of similar causes. Their sickness in each case was diagnosed as kidney and bladder trouble and the similarity started an investigation.
A grand jury indictment charges the woman with murdering the two Carls after she had married them, under the impression she was entering a wealthy family and then was disappointed in finding their estates were small.
Contributed by John Addison Ballard

The Coshocton Tribune
Coshocton, Ohio
May 22, 1922
----------
WOMAN CHARGED WITH
POISONING HUSBANDS
AND FATHER-IN-LAW
----------
SHELBYVILLE, Ind., May 22 -- That Mrs. Clara Carl, former Cleveland newspaper writer, not only poisoned her second husband and father-in-law, with the sorded aim of inheriting their paltry estate, but also killed her first husband in similar fashion, was expected to be the contention of the state when trial of the alleged feminine "Blue Beard" opened here today.
Mrs. Carl is accused of the murder of Frank Carl, the second husband by arsenic poisoning. Outstanding points in the strange murder trial, one of the most extraordinary in Indiana's criminal history, are these:
Mrs. Clara Gibson, the defendant, married Frank Carl in Indianapolis, September 14, 1920, under the impression, acording[sic] to the contention of the state, that he was wealthy.
Frank Carl died at his home at Philadelphia, Indiana, in Hancock co, 15 miles east of Indianapolis, August 6th, 1921, without leaving any estate.
Alonzo Carl, 87 years old, father of Frank and father-in-law of the defendant, had died just two months previously. The elder Carl, according to the contention of Prosecutor Waldo Ging, of Hancock co thwarted Mrs. Carl's alleged plans by leaving property valued at about $3,000 to a son-in-law residing in Denver, Colo., instrad of making Frank Carl his heir.
It was stated that the prosecution is prepared to introduce damaging evidence concerning the death of Robert Gibson, first husband of Mrs. Carl and to introduce a report on the post-mortem examinatino of the body, exhumed at Nelsonville, Ohio. Gibson's vital organs, it is reported showed traces of arsenic poisoning.
Mrs. Carl, attributing her indictment to "idle gossip," has entered a plea of not guilty. She is 38 years old.
Contributed by John Addison Ballard

The Indianapolis Star
Thursday, May 11, 1922
Page 1
----------
CARL TRIAL SET FOR MAY 22.
----------
[There are pictures of Frank B. Carl, Clara Gibson Carl
and the Carl home near Greenfield, Indiana.]
----------
[ Special to The Indianapolis Star. ]
----------
SHELBYVILLE, Ind., May 10 -- Mrs. Clara Gibson Carl of near Greenfield will be arraigned in Shelby Circuit court here on May 22 on the charge of murdering her husband Frank B. Carl and his father Alonzo Carl. Judge Alonzo Blair will preside in the case.
Mrs. Carl has maintained that she is the victim of gossip and that she will be cleared of the charges brought against her. She has disposed of her home at New Philadelphia where she, her husband and his father resided before the deaths of the two men.
The deaths of the two men are said to have occurred under unusual circumstances. Mrs. Carl's father-in-law died in August 1921. Two months later her husband died. The bodies of the two men were interred in a cemetery at Hiawatha, Las., where the Carls had formerly resided.
Waldo C. Ging, prosecuting attorney of Hancock county ordered an investigation into the deaths of the two men. An order was issued for exhuming the bodies of Alonzo Carl and his son. The vital organs were removed and brought to Indianapolis where they were examined in the state laboratory. Quantities of arsenic were found. The Hancock county grand jury was called into session and Prosecutor Ging presented evidence which he had gathered. Indictments were returned charging Mrs. Carl with murder.
A further investigation was conducted by Prosecutor Ging. The body of Robert Gibson, first husband of the defendant was exhumed from a cemetery at Nelsonville, O. and the organs of the body were examined. According to the report of Mr. Ging arsenic was also found in Gibson's body. Mr. Gibson formerly was engaged in newspaper work at Rushville. No charge has been filed in connection with the death of Mr. Gibson. Mr. Ging has not stated what action he will take in this case.
Mrs. Carl was recently transferred from the Hancock county jail when her case was sent here on a change of venue.
Contributed by John Addison Ballard

The News-Sentinel
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Wednesday, 22 Mar 1922
Page 11, col. 4
----------
ARSENIC IN STOMACH OF
MRS. CARL'S FIRST MATE
----------
(By United Press.)
GREENFIELD, Ind,, March 21— Traces of arsenic were found, according to chemists, in an examination of the body of Robert Gibson, first husband of Clara Carl, who already stands accused of murdering her second husband and his father. The body of Gibson was exhumed at Nelsonville, O. Bodies of the two Carls: were exhumed at Hiawatha, Kan. .The investigation was started after authorities claimed the deaths of the three men are from similar causes. Each case was diagnosed as kidney and liver trouble. Authorities declared they would attempt to prove at the trial that Mrs. Carl killed the men to obtain insurance money. Attorneys for the woman have asked a change of venue from Hancock county.
Contributed by Marsha Ensminger

The Indianapolis Star
Tuesday Morning, January 31, 1922
Page 1
----------
SECOND CHARGE OF SLAYING
RETURNED AGAINST WOMAN
----------
Mrs. Clara Gibson Carl of Greenfield Accused of
Killing Husband in Indictment Reported by
Grand Jury -- Still Maintains Silence
----------
[ Special to The Indianapolis Star. ]
GREENFIELD, Ind., Jan. 30. -- The Hancock conunty grand jury returned a second indictment against Mrs. Clara Gibson Carl this evening, charging her with the slaying of her second husbnad, Frank Carl. Mrs. Carl was arrested Saturday after the grand jury had returned an indictment charging her with the killing of her father-in-law, A. B. Carl.
The indictment returned today by the grand jury followed the report of the state chemist upon the analysis of Carl's body, which along with that of his father, was exhumed at Hiawatha, Kas., and returned to Indianapolis for examination. The chemist's report whowed that a quantity of arsenic was revealed in the analysis of the body of his father made recently by the chemist.
The state charges that undue haste was exhibited in sending the bodies to Kiawatha, Kan., for burial.
Orders Body Exhumed.
Waldo C. Ging, prosecuting attorney, has announced that the body of Robert M. Gibson, first husband of Mrs. Carl, has been ordered disinterred and will be brought to Indianapolis for examination. He would not divulge the name of the chemist who will perform the examination. The body is now in a cemetery at Springfield, O.
At the time of Mrs. Carl's arrest, she was negotiating for the sale of her house and property near here. It is thought that she was preparing to leave this community.
Mrs. Carl, who is confined in the county jail here, was not feeling well Sunday and appeared to be in a nervous condition. The attention of a physician was necessary. She has reserved her silence and has answered no questions in connection with the case. Mrs. Hannah Green of Columbus, O., oldest sister of the prisoner, has arrived in a Greenfield and spent some time at the jail with her sister today.
Mrs. Carl is well known in this community, where she has lived for seven or eight years. She came here as the wife of Robert M. Gibson, who was connected with the publishing of Hancock county history. Shortly after coming here, the couple bought a home west of this city, where they lived until Mr. Gibson's death on March 18, 1920, at Huntsville, Mo. The report at that time was that Gibson had died of a complicaiton of diseases as the result of an attack of influenza. His body was sent to his old home at Springfield, O., for burial.
The Gibsons were married on March 14, 1908, at Covington, Ky.
In August, 1920, Mrs. Gibson married Frank Carl of Hiawatha, Kas., and the couple came to Greenfield and lived at the home of Mrs. Gibson. Mr. Carl was popular and was well liked in this section.
Contributed by John Addison Ballard

Marsha Ensminger did some investigating and contributes the following:

1900 US Census: Ohio, Hocking County, Sand Rim Precinct, Ward Township, 11 Jun 1900, Enumeration District No. 37, sheet no. 11B, lines 94 and 95
Gibson, Robert M./head/b Nov 1875/m. 3 y/b. West Virginia, parents England/Public S Teacher
Gibson, Clara H./wife/b. May 1877/ 0 children/self & parents b. Ohio/

1920 US Census: Kansas, Nemaha County, Mitchell Twp., Seneca Ward 3, 29 Jan 1920, Enumeration District No. 135, sheet no. 14A, lines 10 - 13
Iles, Urban G./head/O/M/age 55/m/Indiana/Ohio/Tennessee/Med???/Doctor Office
Iles, Myrtle M./wife/age 54/m/self and parents b. New York
Carl, Alonzo B./father-in-law/age 83/wd/self and parents b. New York/none
Carl,Frank E./brother-in-law/age 40/D./Kansas/parents New York/salesman/commercial

– I couldn’t find death record for either Alonzo or Frank Carl.

– I can’t identify her in the 1940 census or any later records. Wonder if she changed her name...

The Moberly Evening Democrat
Moberly, Missouri
Friday, 19 Mar 1920
Page 1, column 2
----------
Robert Gibson Dead
----------
Robert M. Gibson, who for the last two months has been located at Huntsville, with the Historical Publishing Company, the publishers of Judge Alex H. Waller's History of Randolph county, died at midnight from an attack of influenza. He was born November 29, 1877 at Mason City, Va. and three years later, with his parents, moved to Straitsvllle, Ohio, where he graduated from the high school and then attended the Ohio State University at Athens, O. He was superintendent of Belle Vernon, Pa., schools and later held the same position for one year at Geauga Seminary and two years at Mantua, Ohio. For the last twelve years he has been with the Lewis Publishing Co., B. F.. Brown Co. and the Historical Publishing Company. He was married Jan. 2, 1898, at Covington: Ky., to Clara E. Green, who survives him. Besides his wife he has two brothers, Charles Gibson, of Columbus, O., and William Gibson, of Nelsonville, Ohio; and three sisters, Mrs. Wm. Griffith, Byesville, Ohio; Mrs. John Munyon, Columbus, O.; Mrs. Chas. Gould, Missoula, Mont., where his mother, Mrs. Margaret Wolson Gibson, widow of John W. Gibson, the father, also resides. Mr. Gibson was a man of excellent attainments, a man of strict in- tegrity and stood high with the companies wih (sic) which he had been associated. He and his wife had made many friends in the short time they had lived in this county. Mrs. Gibson left with the remains at 1 p.m. for Nelsonville, O., where interment will take place, and she will then return to Greenfield, Ind., where they had made their home for several years.
Contributed by Marsha Ensminger

The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
Sunday 29 Jan 1922
Page 1, col. 8
----------
WOMAN CHARGED WITH
SLAYING MATE'S FATHER
----------
GREENFIELD, Ind., Jan. 28 — Clara Carl, living three miles west of here, was arrested this afternoon on a grand jury indictment charging her with murder in the first degree. She is charged with having administered poison to Alonzo B. Carl, her father-in-law. The murder is alleged to have occurred in August. 1921. Burial was made at Hiawatha, Kas. The indictment came following a chemical analysis of Carl's stomach. Carl's body, with that of his son. Frank E. Carl, the woman's husband, had been taken from its burial place at Hiawatha and brought to Indianapolis for examination at the request of Walso G. Ging, (sic) Hancock county prosecuting attorney.
Contributed by Marsha Ensminger

The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
Tuesday 31 Jan 1922
Page 1, col. 2
----------
Alleged Slayer of Father-in-law Held for Murdering Mate
----------
GREENFIELD, Ind.,. Jan. 30.—A second indictment charging her with slaying her husband, Frank Carl, was returned against Mrs. Clara Gibson Carl tonight by the Hancock county grand jury. Mrs. Carl was arrested Saturday after the grand jury had returned an indictment charging her with the killing of her father-in-law, A. B. Carl. The indictment returned today by the grand jury followed the report of state chemist upon the analysis of Carl's body, which along with that of his father, was exhumed at Hiawatha. Kas., and returned to Indianapolis for examination. The chemists' report showed that a quantity of arsenic was found in the Junior Carl's body as was revealed in the analysis of the body of his father made recently by the chemists. Waldo C. Ding, prosecuting attorney, has announced that the body of Robert M. Gibson, first husband of Mrs. Carl, has been ordered disinterred and will be brought to Indianapolis for examination. The body is now in a cemetery at Springfield O.
Contributed by Marsha Ensminger

For more on this story: The Most Daring of Women Criminals

Newspaper Index Main Page

To contact the researchers listed above, use the Surname Index