Clara Theresa Schweiger (1878-1942) Trial Records (KC0242)
Clara Schweiger was charged with first degree murder for shooting her husband, Louis Schweiger, in the Jackson County Court House in Kansas City. Mrs. Schweiger was defended by Mary Tiera Farrow, one of the first woman lawyers in Kansas City, Missouri, in the first murder case in Missouri in which a woman was defended by a woman attorney.
Louis Schweiger married Clara Dulle February11, 1902. They lived together from February, 1902 until he filed for divorce in October, 1913. In the interim, they had adopted a baby from St. Anthony's Home. According to Clara, their marital disagreements were over his not giving her enough money. Louis moved out twice and then filed for divorce. He got custody of the child. Clara murdered Louis in the courthouse after the divorce trial.
The murder trial lasted eleven days. After twelve hours, the jury returned with a verdict of second-degree rather than first-degree murder. The judge, the Honorable Ralph S. Lathshaw sentenced Mrs. Schweiger to serve 15 years in the state penitentiary but she was imprisoned for only two years before being released due to poor health.
The Clara T. Schweiger Trial Record Transcripts and copies of documents relating to that first degree murder trial in Kansas City in 1916. 1915-1917.
28 folders.
© WHMC-KC, University of Missouri
updated:
Friday, July 06, 2007
Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Kansas City
(816) 235-1543 WHMCKC@umkc.edu