The sun., 1878-09-24
JEALOUSY. MURDER. AND SUICIDE
A Husband killing his wife and Instantly
Thereafter shooting Himself


A tragedy was enacted last night at about
ga o'clock. in little room in the rear Mt 46l
Elm street. The actors were Charles Prehn. an
upholstercr. % year, of age. and his wife, only
about II. formerly Miss Carey Frank. Their
married life had not been happy They had
had four children. but none of them were liv-
Ing. the youngest having died about two months
ago. The couple hal had frequent quarrels and
accused each other Of infdelity. and hence
they separated about six months ago. But
they came together again. AMI lived together.
Prehn accused his wife of visiting n house of
questionable reputation. but she denied 1t per-
sistenty and Prehn was not fully satisfied OF
her innocence.
The couple quarrellcd again about n week
ango and separated again. and for the last time.
lFred Prehnl and mother and three sisters. IN
Elm street. where the sad tragedy was enacted
last night. and the wife dwet with her father
The wife was rather good looking, slen-
ger in nEnr. with u fair face and dark
hnd done. ana last night She went To
tho residence Of her husbands father sci Elm
street, in search OF her husband. for the pur-
pose Of rcconriing their difficulties and trying
TO live with hum again. She inquired Tor him.
and not finding him, sat down TO talk to his
blame for the separation Of herself and hus-
pand. AMI that she was not guilty OF loose con-
duct. as he had charged. On the contrary she
had conducted herself as a virtuous woman
should. and her husband had no occasion TO
question her virtue.
st"rlng establishment nj 429 Vine street, and
had occasion frequently to stay in the store late
in the evening. II was then that he said that
his VIII" uscl 10 suspect him Of improper init
macy with some II the females of the shop.
which he said WAS entirety without foundA-
tion. These suspicious held hy her intensified
his rage against her. and seemed TO drive him
almost 10 the point of desperation.
tn" wife had not been in the house Of the ell
der Prehn more than half an hour before her
husband entered ignorant Of the fact that she
WIS there He had bought trunk, a new pair
OF boots. ncckiie. shirt, &C.. and his actions
seemed to indicate that hr WAS getting prepared
10 enjoy life AWAY from her ms though happy at
the separation. The very sight of his wife
seemed 10 enrage him. and in manner ot half
surprise ana half Indignation. he exclaimed.
" Are YOU here. too?" Then she began to say
that she had lust come To tell his parents that
she was not guilty Of the charge OF inidelity. but
that on the contrary. she said she had good rea-
sons 10 SUSPECT him Of unfaith funrss. and al
most had the proof in her possession. Then
elimination followed elimination. The fire Of
words grow hotter and hotter. and the couple
went into an adjoining room. and were followed
by tn" elder Prehn aud wife. and the two daugh-
ters. who rndcavored to quiet them.
. suddenly. nnd without amy warning Charles
Prehn pulled n revolver out Of his pocket. anl
presenting II at his wifr's right trmp pulled
the trigger. She fell to the noor. with her heaa
ncHr "A bed that stood close 10y. and death WAS
instantaneous. Before the lifrlrss body had
fairly ceased qulvrrinG. Prrhn presented the
revolver To his own temple and discharged tho
NJ the same point IN the head where his wife
WAS shot. and he tell L. the floor d"ad. near tho
door. not more than two feet from whore his
wife