Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-08-29
Terrible Tragedy i'm Baltimore.

DRUNKEN DOCTOR CUTS HIS WIPES THROAT
AND TRIES TO COMMIT SUICIDE.
The Baltimore papers Of to-day give the par
dculars Of q shocking domestic tragedy, which
occurred at So St. Paul street, in that city, last
dered his wife and cut his own throat with the
same razor with which he had taken her life,
the unfortunate victim being Mrs. Eugene
husband DR.. joseph CIsrencs n Showai bne
although q physician by profession had never
practieed in Baltimore, and, it is alleged, de-
pended upon his wife to support him, spending
the money obtained from her in drink.
LONG COURSE OF CRUELTY.
Showalter has uniformly treated his wife with
cruelty for ten years past, has inflicted blows
upon her in presence OF her son, and often
threatened to take her life. Some four weeks
ago he began debauch, and was arrested by
the police and sent to jail. While in Jail he
wrote to his wife, stating that If she would pro-
cure his release, he would sign papers giving
her control of small farm I'm Lancaster county,
Virginia. She succeeded in getting a release,
and he signed the papers, after which his
cruelty towards her increased, until she was
obliged to tell him that IL he would get drunk
he really must not come home SO. During yes
terday he was about the house as usual, going
out several times. Shortly before the hour for
tea, when the boarders were assembled in the
parlor, he came into the house and passed
thIough, INTO the kitchen, where he commenced
upbraiding the cook.
HE THREATENS TO KILL HIS WIFE.
MRS; Showalter, hearing the disturbance,
went down into the kitchen and succeeded, ar
ter considerable difficulty, in getting him into
their bed room, which is on the same floor as the
Kitchen, being the first room on the right hand
slde on entering the house. After reaching the
bed room some words passed between them,
which could not be distinctly heard, until he
smacked her and threatened to kill her, when
sne s declared that she would go after an officer
"Have me arrested IL you choose, for d-n me
II wouldn't as soon be hung like Hollohan and
She them be ssn &c 70 oe and this sO of
stairs TO take tea. Some time elapsed, and he
called to her In very kind and persuasive man.
ner to come down stairs. This She refused to do
for some time, but finally did 90 down into the
room where he was.
HE CUTS HER THROAT, AND THEN HIS OWN
through the house, followed by the sounds Of
scutfng below. Mrs. Showalter's son bv her
first marriage, Frederick Basley,) eighteen
years Of age, ran down stairs, followed by sew
eral boarders, and rushed into his mothers
room, from whence the scream had come. The
scene that presented itself entirely overcame
nm. Ihere on the floor, near the foot of the
bed, lay his mother, with her throat terribly
and fatally gashed, whilst her husband and
murderer stood grimacing over the dead body
with his own throat also badly cut, and the
blood flowing down over his bosom, whilst the
razor with which the fearful deed had been
committed lay on the floor. The wound in
nicted on his wife was terrible one, com
mencing on the left side of the throat, cutting
through the carotid artery and jugular vein,
and penetrating the spinal vertebra. The poor
woman screamed as the sharp instrument passed
Thrustng aside the murderer and would-be
suicide, the son threw himself upon the lifeless
BODY OF his mother, but was removed by those
who had followed him down stairs, and the BODY
OF the unfortunate woman was raised and placed
upon the bed.
THE MuRDERER's WOUNDS.
For moment after being pushed aside by the
son the murderer stood glaring upon those
around him, and then turned and walked DELHI
erately out Of the door and down st. Paul street
to the corner of Saratoga, where he sat down
upon the curbstone. He was afterwards taken
to the Washington University hospital, where
the wound in his neck, extending from ear to
the murderer during the operation occasionally
opening his eyes and saying, "Please raise me
ups" and once or twice asked for water. The
c9rSner's jury rendered ayerdict in accordance
mrs. Showalter was native Of Lancaster
county, Va, and a sister Of Raleigh Carter.
about forty nine years of age. In early life she
was married to DR.. Basley, by whom she had
one child, the son above referred to, and was
removed TO Baltimore and opened boarding
house on North Charles street, near Pleasant
Az the breaking out of the war she returned to
the south, and became matron OF one of the
confederate hospitals. There she met Showal.
ter, who was nursed by her, and whom she mar
rlsd aiter ms recovery. AT the close of the
war they came to Baltimore, and Mrs, Showal-
ter again opened boarding house.
CONSTANT DISSIPATION.
Her husband was dissolute, and his treatment
OF her was SO harsh as to attract the pity OF
those who knew the lady to be kind and gentle
In her disposition. After a time he took such
dislike to his son that he was obliged as much
as possible to keep out of his presence, Show
alter always becoming violent when he saw the
boy. For few weeks past he has been more
constant in his dissipation, and exceedingly dis
agreeable to all about the house, while he was
wholly dependent for support on his wife. He
is native Of Alabama, and is about thirty-six
years of age.
AT a late hour last night the murderer was
sleeping soundly, but was considered in a crit
ical condition.