Murder of Archie Umiker

Longview Daily News January 9, 1944 pg 1
Wife Is Held After Bullet Kills Spouse
Archie Umiker, 38, Logger, Is Victim Of Saturday Night Fray
Prosecutor Melvin C Rooney today said Mrs. Maud Umiker, 38 year old Kelso housewife, is being held in the county jail on an open charge today as officers proceed with an investigation of the fatal shooting of her husband, Archie Umiker, 38, Cowlitz County logger, about 1:30 a.m. Sunday.
The shooting occurred at the Pacific Apartment at 519 South Pacific avenue, Kelso, where the Umikers had resided for about three weeks, acording to Police Chief A. V. Clark, who with members of his department received the call reporting the affray.
Umiker succumbed at the County Hospital at 5:34 p. m. Sunday from the wounds, after Sheriff Carl Pritchard and Chief Clark said that he had made a dying declaration as to the circumstances of the shooting. The wounds, they said, were inflicted with a .32 caliber automatic pistol.
The officers, however, declined any comment regarding the contents of the statement, which was recorded in detail by a stenographer. However, they did say that Mrs. Umiker had admitted to them, during lengthy interrogation, that she had fired the fatal shot from a gun which had been in her possession for several years.
Pritchard and Clark declared the statement was made after Mrs. Umiker retracted an early statement in which she declared that a “blond girl” had fired the shot.
Chief Clark said the admission was made by Mrs. Umiker, after she had sent word from her county jail cell, that she wished to talk to him about the case. He declared that she told him and other officers that she had quarreled with her husband Saturday after he declared his intentions to leave her. That evening they went out together, visiting some local taverns and returning to the apartment around midnight, when the quarrel resumed, Clark quoted her as admitting.
He said she declared that during a scuffle the gun was discharged. Umiker then turned and went into the apartment kitchen, returning a moment later and clasped his hands to his chest, saying “I've been shot,” the officer quoted her further.
At that--the quotation of her admission continued--Umiker ran out into the hallway and down the apartment stairs, crying out, “Help, I've been shot.”
Officers said, Umiker collapsed against the wall at the bottom of the stairway next to the apartment of Elmer Beach, apartment manager. Beach rushed to the door at the same time Gordon Wesley, a resident in the building, came into the hallway. The two men took Umiker into Beach's apartment and called the police.
Umiker was taken to the hospital in an ambulance after the police arrived. Examination showed his condition was critical. Clark said the physician reported the bullet had entered the right side of his abdomen and pierced one lung, the liver and the intestines. The bullet had passed out of the body and was found in Umiker's clothes. Officers found Mrs. Umiker in bed in the apartment when they started checking on the shooting.
Clark said he was joined by Deputy Sheriff C. W. Reynolds in conducting the preliminary investigation. Working together they found the empty shell from the gun on the floor of the bedroom in the apartment and later found the gun cashed under a board in a light well outside the Umiker apartment.
Officers today are checking in various details of the case before the prosecutor's office prepares formal charges to be filed in superior court. Deputy Prosecutor E. U. Driscoll said Mrs. Umiker planned to contact and attorney in Chehalis, who had handled previous legal matters for her, regarding counsel.
Mrs. Umiker is a former Toledo resident, it was reported.
Tentative arrangements have been made to hold funeral services for Umiker Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Bethel Tabernacle in Toledo with Rev. Ernest Moore of Castle Rock officiating. Survivors include the widow; his mother, Mrs. Lucy* Mehl of Toledo; two brothers, Walter of Vancouver, B. C., and Yvonne in the coast guard at Alexander, Va.; two sisters, Mrs. Mary McNeil of Salem and Mrs. Dorothy Dahlman of Silver Lake.

(*blogger's note: Donna Dahlman Wright explained, "Most of my grandmother's friends and some of the family called her Lucy, but her legal name I believe was Louise. I'm pretty sure that is what's on her grave stone in Toledo, WA where she is buried." )

Kelsonian Tribune January 13, 1944 pg 1
Wife Is Blamed For Death Of Husband In Shooting Here
Archie Umiker Dies of Gunshot Wounds Following Sunday Morning Quarrel; 2nd Degree Murder Charge Filed Against Mrs. Umiker
Arraignment of Mrs. Maud Umiker, 33, charged with second degree murder, was postponed Thursday at the request of her attorney. . .
The murder charge, filed by Prosecuting Attorney Melvin C. Rooney Wednesday after an extensive investigation, was the first in Cowltiz county for several years. . .
Mrs. Umiker will be formally arraigned as soon as she has had time to confer with her attorney. Rooney's office advised. It is anticipated she will enter a plea of not guilty.
Umiker died at the Cowlitz County Hospital at 5:34 p. m. that day. Prior to his death he made a statement to Sheriff Carl Pritchard and other officers as to the circumstances of the shooting. Officers declined to reveal the information obtained from the dying man.
Mrs. Umiker told officers she and her husband had been quarreling. She said she threatened to kill herself with her .32 caliber pistol, and that Umiker grabbed her and the gun, and that in the ensuing struggle, the weapon which was in her left hand discharged accidentally.
Umiker, she said, then went into the kitchen and a moment later came back, holding his chest, and crying “I've been shot,” she declared. She said she thought he was feigning and went to bed, where she was found by the officers. . .
Police Chief A. V. Clark and other police officers responded and were soon joined by Deputy Sheriff C. W. Reynolds. Umiker was found to be critical. The bullet entered the right side of his abdomen, piercing one lung, the liver and the intestines. The bullet was found in his clothing.
The officers found the empty shell on the bedroom floor, and the gun under a board in a light well outside the apartment.
The Umikers formerly resided at Toledo. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Lucy Mehl, Toledo; two brothers, Walter, Vancouver, B. C., and Yvonne in the coast guard; and two sisters, Mrs. Dorothy Dallman (sic), Silver Lake, and Mrs. Mary McNeil, Salem.
Mrs. Umiker has a son in the service and a married (unreadable) by a previous marriage.
The funeral service was in Toledo.

Kelsonian Tribune January 20, 1944 pg 1
Mrs. Umiker Pleads Not Guilty To Murder Charge
Trial Date Will Be Set Friday; Ronald Moore Is Representing Defendant
Mrs. Maude Umiker, 38, pleaded not guilty Thursday morning when she was arraigned before Judge J. E. Stone. . .
Prosecuting Attorney Melvin C. Rooney represented the state at the arraignment.
Mrs. Umiker is in the county jail in lieu of $10,000 bond.

Kelsonian Tribune January 27, 1944 pg 1
Murder Trial Will Start Mon., Feb. 14
Judge Schedules Case For Opening Of Superior Court Jury Term --
[Mrs. Umiker] entered a plea of not guilty to the charge last week.
The trial will begin the February jury term of Cowlitz Superior Court for which a panel of 100 jurors was drawn recently. A large number of those on the list are being excused because of war work or other causes.

Kelsonian Tribune February 3, 1944 pg 1
State Lists Witnesses For Umiker Murder Trial
22 Will Be Called By Prosecutor; Case Opens Jury Term February 14
The names of twenty-two state witnesses. . .were filed with County Clerk Verna Hegge today by Prosecuting Attorney Melvin Rooney.
The trial will open the winter jury term of Superior Court Feb. 14. A panel of 100 prospective jurors was drawn recently for the court term. Many of those on the panel have been excused because of war jobs.
The state witnesses are Iva Cook, Betty Naomi Knox, Elmer Beach, manager of the apartment where Umiker was shot, Addie Beach, Gordon Wesley, Sheriff Carl Pritchard, Justice J. R. Callahan of Longview, Police Chief A. V. Clark, Sgt. Clarence Palmer of the Kelso police, Patrolman Jack Gilhuly, Deputy Sheriff C. W. (Bud) Reynolds, . . .

Longview Daily News February 15, 1944 pg 1
Jury Is Hearing Umiker Murder Case Testimony
A jury of nine men and three women, which was selected during Monday's session of court, today heard the opening testimony in the second degree murder trial of Mrs. Maude Umiker. . .
First witness called by Prosecutor Melvin C. Rooney, following his opening statement this morning, was Claude O. Davolt, assistant county engineer who was called to identify a drawing of the floor plan of the apartment dwelling of the Umikers. He was followed to the stand by Elmer Beach. . .
Beach testified that he and Wesley first believed Umiker to be intoxicated, but examination in Beach's apartment a short time later disclosed he was suffering from a gunshot wound. The police were summoned at the time.
Early this afternoon Judge J. E. Stone and members of the jury, with counsel, went to the apartment house at 513 South Pacific avenue to view the premises. . .
On the motion of Ronald Moore, defense attorney, most of the witnesses were barred from the courtroom, except when called to testify. Exemptions were granted in the case of several persons whose testimony was known to be of a routine nature.
Moore also made a motion for permission to examine certain letters and papers in possession of Mrs. Umiker at the time of her arrest. This request was resisted by the prosecution, but Judge Stone ruled that the papers should be placed in the possession of the county clerk for reference by counsel.
The courtroom was packed to capacity for both the morning and afternoon sessions. Majority of the crowd were women, many of whom brought their lunches and remained in their seats throughout the noon recess. . .

Kelsonian Tribune Feb 17, 1944 pg 1
Packed Court Hears Testimony As Trial Nears Conclusion
'Strange Woman' Story Told By Witnesses In 2nd Degree Murder Case; End Of Trial Expected Saturday
A mystery woman, identified by witnesses only as the “Strange Woman,” entered prominently into the second degree murder trial of Mrs. Maude Umiker late Thursday afternoon.
Since Monday morning Mrs. Umiker has sat quietly in the courtroom. . . while Prosecuting Attorney Melvin C. Rooney and Ronald Moore, defense attorney, have examined and cross examined witnesses for the state.
Testimony concerning the “Strange Woman” came as a distinct surprise to the more than 100 spectators present at the trial, and to the prosecution.
Prosecutor Rooney had placed Harry Inman of Toledo on the witness stand for the state and had questioned him concerning a drinking party he had attended in company with the Umikers.
In cross examination, Ronald Moore, in a series of surprise questions, established that a “strange woman” had been present on the party, that she had furnished the car in which the party had traveled from Toledo to Castle Rock and back; that Archie Umiker had dined with the strange woman in Castle Rock in preference to his wife, and that Mr. and Mrs. Umiker had quarreled at their home in Toledo later, while the strange woman waited in the car outside.
Introduction of the strange woman was significant in the earlier testimony by Police Chief A. V. Clark of Kelso established that Mrs. Umiker had said on different occasions that there was a blond woman involved, that the blond woman had been referred to and according to Mrs. Umiker's alleged statements, was supposed to have been with Umiker on the night of the fatal shooting.
Another dramatic scene followed within a few moments of the testimony concerning the Strange Woman.
Mrs. Louise Mehl, mother of Archie Umiker, was placed on the stand by the state. Under cross examination Attorney Moore asked “Is is true that you have never liked your daughter-in-law?”
At this Mrs. Mehl became nearly hysterical, shouting at Moore and declaring that Mrs. Umiker had always been welcome in her home. She was silenced after some time by the court and told to confine herself to answering questions.
The state rested its case a few minutes before 5 o'clock, with completion of testimony by Mrs. Mehl.
. . .Witnesses for the defense who will be called include George Hamond, Dr. T. C. Herren, Dr. R. J. LaRue, Glen Morrison, Ruth Schaeffer, Elinore Beach, and Olive Mills. It is also believed that Mrs. Umiker will testify.
It is anticipated that most of Friday will be consumed with testimony of these witnesses, with the case going to the jury sometime Saturday. . .

Longview Daily News February 19, 1944 pg 1
Murder Case Close Is Expected Today
The week long trial for Mrs. Maude Umiker. . . approached its close this afternoon.
It appeared at noon that the case probably would be given the Cowlitz County Superior Court jury of nine men and three women either late this afternoon or early evening for deliberation of averdict.
Ronald Moore, defense attorney, rested his case at 11:35 a. m., when cross examination of Mrs. Umiker, who took the stand at 1:30 p. m. Friday to give her version of the shooting of her husband, finally ended.
Immediately after the defense rested, Prosecutor Melvin C. Rooney called two rebuttal witnesses. They were Mrs. Claudia Edwards, manager of the Wesley Hotel, and Miss Sue DePriest, secretary in the prosecutor's office. Mrs. Edwards testified regarding the rental room at the hotel by Umiker before his wife came to Kelso in December, while Miss DePriest was asked by Rooney to read the shorthand notes of a statement allegedly made by the defendant in the presence of officers at the courthouse on January 9th, the day of the shooting.
On direct examination, Mrs. Umiker recited her version of the circumstances that led up to the shooting of her husband. She told of moving from Toledo to Kelso on December 16th at the request of her husband, who was then employed in woods operations near Kelso.
Mrs. Umiker also told of visiting Toledo about January 1st and coming home to find her husband absent, but the bed in disorder and a woman's slip on the foot of the bed.
The slip, which was admitted as an exhibit in the case, was not the type of garment that she had ever worn, Mrs. Umiker testified. She said she laid it on the floor in the hallway and when her husband came home the next morning he discovered the slip and remarked, “You think you're pretty smart.”
She also said the Umiker referred to her by the name, “Mommie” or “Mom,” and said that when he called for “Mommie” while in the hospital suffering from his wounds, he was referring to her.
The defendant told of pleading with her husband not to leave her and described his assault on her prior to the time she picked up the gun from the dresser and it was accidentally discharged, fatally wounding him.
She said the gun was packed in some belongings she had brought to Kelso and was found by her when they were unpacked in the apartment. Mrs. Umiker said she did not realize the gun was in the suitcase and intended to send it back to Toledo.
An attempt was made by the prosecution to open up the question of Mrs. Umiker's character, but Judge J. E. Stone upheld the objection entered by Moore.
The trial continued to attract a capacity crowd of spectators Saturday morning and the courtroom only partially emptied at noon as many had brought lunches with them.

Longview Daily News February 20, 1944 pg 1
Mrs. Umiker Convicted Of Manslaughter
A tired little woman, Mrs. Maude Umiker, 38, of Kelso, heard a Cowlitz County Superior Court jury of nine men and three women delivered a verdict of guilty of manslaughter against her at 10:55 p. m. Saturday.
As the verdict was read by County Clerk Verna Hegge, Mrs Umiker gave way to her emotions and was led, sobbing from the courtroom by her sailor son and county matron. She was taken back to her jail cell on the fourth floor of the courthouse in Kelso to await the next development in the case.
Arguments Ended Saturday
Arguments in the trial were completed at 5:35 p. m. Saturday afternoon and the jurors retired immediately to begin deliberation of a possible verdict. However, it was not until just before 11 o'clock that the rap came on the door of the jury chamber indicating a verdict had been reached. Judge J. E. Stone immediately notified the counsel and Mrs. Umiker and they hurried to the courtroom. While the verdict was an apparent blow to the woman, it also was a partial victory as the jury did not find her guilty of second degree murder, which she was charged with originally, but the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Only about a dozen persons were in the courtroom when the verdict was presented by George Wolfe, of Longview, foreman of the jury.
The decision climaxed a week long trial that had started last Monday morning and gone tediously forward, day by day, as a long list of witnesses were called to the stand to tell the circumstances of the fatal wounding of Archie Umiker. . .
The defense case concluded Saturday forenoon, when cross examination of Mrs. Umiker was completed. She appeared as the principal witness for her own defense.
It is expected that sentencing will be sometime late this week, after the defense has had time to file a motion for a new trial or give notice of appeal.
The trial attracted wide interest in the community. The courtroom was filled to capacity each day.

Kelsonian Tribune Thursday, February 24, 1944 pg 1
Mrs. Umiker Moves For New Trial
Sentencing On Manslaughter Charge Will Follow Arguments If Motion Denied
Motions for a new trial or for judgment notwithstanding the verdict of the jury were filed Monday for Mrs. Umiker by her attorney, Ronald Moore. . .
The motions will probably not be argued before Judge J. E. Stone, who presided at the trial, until next week. Mrs. Umiker is reported to have been ill since the verdict was rendered against her. . .
Judge Stone has considerable leeway in passing sentence if the defense motions are denied. He can impose a fine, sentence Mrs. Umiker to the county jail, or to as much as 10 years in the state penitentiary it is said.

Kelsonian Tribune March 9, 1944 pg 1
Mrs. Umiker Sentenced; Out On Bail
Appeals Manslaughter Conviction to Supreme Court
Mrs. Maude Umiker who was found guilty by a superior court jury last month on a manslaughter charge. . .
Judge J. E. Stone sentenced her to 20 years in the state penitentiary Friday after he denied her motions for judgment notwithstanding the jury verdict and for a new trial following lengthy arguments by Ronald Moore, and Prosecuting Attorney Melvin Rooney. Judge Stone stated he would recommend to the state parole board that the minimum term be set at two years.
Moore filed notice of an appeal Saturday.
Mrs. Umiker was tried on a second degree murder charge. At that time, bail was set at $10,000. When the jury convicted her of the less serious charge Judge Stone reduced the bail.