National Republican., 1880-03-16
Il DOUBLE Suicide.
Mysterious Tragedy in "A stablo-Busband
aud Wife Die Tonether.

A mysterious tragedy was discovered yes.
terday morning in the stable of Mr.. Ben HOl.
liday, at the rear of his residence, No. 1871 X
street, man named John Riley, in tho EN-.
ploy of Mr. Holiday as stablemau, and his
wifo Jano being found dead without any signs
to indicate either murder or suicide. Tho
facts in the case as developed by an examina.
tion yesterday are that John Muir, the hos
tier. yesterday morning went out to tho stable
to deliver some orders to Riley, who slept up
stairs. A knock Mt the stable door was not
needed and Muir Immediately ran into tho
house and told Mr.. Holiday about 1t. Word
was sent to the Sixth precinct station, and
sergeant Mistead was sent up TO investigate
the matter. 1t was decided to force the stable
door open, and the party proceeded up stairs.
Upon entering Riley's room terrible sight
met their gaze. Riley lay ON the bod, his
wife beside him on the floor, both dead.
Riley was clothed in his undcrshirt
and drawers and was covered up, whilo
his wife appeared to have Just commenced
undressing, having only removed her bonnet
and shoes. Thorc were no signs of violence,
10 blood anywhere visible, and a dligent
search failed TO discover any suspicious vials
marked "poson." Coroner Patterson was
summoned, and at his direction the bodies
were removed to Buchly's undertaking estab-
lishment, on the Avenue, where post.
mortem was held by Drs Patterson, Hartigan
and McArdle. Tho organs of both were In
perfectly healthy condition, but the stomachs,
which did not contain the same kind of food,
indicated the presence of some irritating poi.
son, though what kind it was impossible to
determine. The contents of the woman's
stomach wero kae, potataos and meat, while
the mans, whose stomach WAS only half full,
contained Irish stew" DIR. Hartigan. acting
under instructions of the coroner, took charge
of the stomachs which will be submitted to a
chemist to-day for analysis. Owing 10 tho
mystery surrounding the case Coroner Pattcr.
son will not hold an inquest until tomorrow.
Tho causes which led to the death of the par
Ties are unknon, rs they had always lived
happily together and were not known to have
had amy particular sorrow or trouble. They
were both about fOrty-five years of age, and
had been married fourteen years, but had no
children living, their only cliild-a daughter
having died several years ago Riley came
to this city in 1861, as servant to an officer in
New York regiment, aud was afterwards in
the employ of Lord Lyons the British Minister,
as coachmm, and continued with him until he
was recalled to England. lIo was an Cxper-
fenced cOachman, and had been with Mr.. Hol-
liday for some time. Mrs. Riley was also in
service with family on Thirteenth street,
between i street and Massachusetts, avenue,
north west. She slept at her service place. but
WAS in the habit of frequently visiting her
husband Mt his room in Mr.. Holidays stable.
1t has been ascertained that she visited him
last Sunday evening, and about o'clock they
both went out together. Nothing more was
seen of them until they were found dead yes
teiday morning. Early yesterday morning
Mrs. Holiday noticed the gas burning brightly
in Riley room, and called her husbands atten-
tiom to it. lie did notattach much Importance
to this fact and no investigation WAS made, Mr..
Holiday saying that John was perfectly re.
liable. When the officers entered Rilcy's room
yesterday morning the gas was burning
dimy, having been partly turned off.
Lately Riley and his wife had purchased a
house on Seventeenth street northwest, pay ing
| a part of the purchase. money, and their earn
ings in service were devoted to taking up the
other notes 1t was only about six weeks ago
| that Riley paid up note which would not bo
due until next June, 50 that pecuniary en-
barrassment could not have induced them to
commit suicide. Riley was member of Hi
bernian Society No. of this city, and he aud
his wife were very popular and respected
among their acquaintances. Neither of thom
are known to have been addicted to the use of
liquor; but it is stated by the stable boy at Mr..
Holidays that from Rley's actions last Sun
day afternoon he thought that he had been
drinking. The generally accepted theory is
that it is case of pTemcditated suicide,
though for what no one can say. Tho inquest
| Tomorrow, however, may throw some light OH
| the subject.