Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-09-11
A Man Sheets his Wife.
From the LoufsyillA (!ourier. Sent. 5tf


Z A terrible casualty occurred at about half
past Elk O'Clock yesterday morning, on the
southeast corner OF Main and Shelby streets,
which Will probably result in the death OF an
est1maoie lady The particulars, as CLEANED
FROM the family, are in some respects contra
dict0ry. rtea s = s-
1, appears that young man named Henry
Afford. who keeps saloon at the above men.
toned point, married NJ ss Carrie Devinney,
OF this city, about six weeks ago. On Tuesday
night he came home partially intoxicated. and
according TO the statement of the young wife's
mother, had a quarrel with her about signing
deed, They retired as usual, Mr. Afford
placing pistol under the head Of his bed,
which, as ne says, is his custom or habit
When he arose IN the morning, he took the pis-
tol from under the pillow. and walked to the
corner OF the mantle piece, at the same time
calling TO his wife to get mp. She arose from
me bed and as she was reaching for her dress.
mantle and was discharged. the contents en-. i.
terinR her right side. inficting a wound which
tne atfen ndant physicians believe will prove
fatal. The unfortunate lady threw up her
hands exclaimlDg, ssHarry, you have shot
me!' Mr.. Afford, realizing the terrible posi-
ton in which he was placed, rushed out in q
distracted manner for a physician. He also
ofhcer Sweeney, who conveyed him to the Clay
street station house -
After an examination, and the facts being
fully presented, Mr.. Afford was released with
ont bond. ~.
We visited the house last evening and found
the lady SO low that 1t was deemed ad dvisable
by her physicians that no comm unication
should be had with her We were told how.
ever, that Mrs. Afford had entirely exculpated
her husband, declaring that it was entirely ac.
cidentai. This, however, was denied by the
mother and sister of the lady, who were pres.
ent, and stated that the wounded woman
charged her husband with directly pointing
the pistol at her, and deliber atey shooting her
They further stated to US that the wife insisted
that her husband should not enter the room
where she was, and did not wish to see him.
While we were present Mr.. Alvord went to
the bed side of his dying wife and affection
aiely kissed her, but the poor young woman
seemed unconscious OF any around her. The
husband appeared to be very m uch distressed
in mind, and earnestly protested his innocence
OF the crime His mother. in law does not di-
Tectly accuse him, but states that the marriage
was an unhappy one, and remarked to her
son in law, Harry, it is between you and
your God; do not know whether or not you
did ii intentionally" A'' .-...F -
In justice to the husband, we would state
that we were reliably informed that the feel
ing between Afford and his wife's family has
not been amicable, and this is evlnced plainly
in their hostility toward him at this time. Yet
we 1eel bound, in order that the ends Of Justice
may be achieved, to lay before our readers the
statement OF the mother and sister OF the
wounded woman.
Mr.. Afford stated to us that his wife was
inclined to be very superstitious, md de 8 red
that he should keep the pistol under the head
OF the bed. His mother law, on the other
hand, says that he has been frequently urged
not TO carry the pistol. or to have It near him,
as they feared that some terrible affair would
result from his careless use of it. The parties
are very respectable people, and the case is
certainly deplorable At last accounts the
lady was lying In dying condition