Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-12-29
THE IsATHRoNE TRAGEDY.


TEMPORARY INSANITY THE ONLY WAY OF ACCOUNT
ING FOR THE BLOODY DEED.
The sad news by cable that Col. Henry B. Rath-
bone, OF this city, had killed his wife, at Hanover
Germany, and had attempted to kill himself, con-
tinues to be an engrosing topic Of conversation In
society circles here.
Col James G. Berrett, who has known Col Rath-
bone for years. and has been acting his attorney
in this city, said to STAR reporter this morning
who had called upon him: 81 received letter from
Col. RathbOne dated November Goth, the last one
that have from him, which is perfectly coherent
and Intelligent; such a letter any business man
would write to another. He speaks OF some changes
In the furniture or his houses here. and his SuggeS
t1OnS are clear and practical The letter gives no
sign OF mental unsOundnesS"
'To what do you attribute his aet?" asked the re-
porter.
81 don't think that he ever recovered from the
shock Of the night in President Lincoln's box at
the theater. The scene always haunted his mind.
He at times subject to fits Of dependency and
moodiness. / think that at one Of these times ag-
gravated perhaps, by dyspepsia, he committed
"There is other cause that can be assigned that
know OF" continued the Colonel "H1s affairs were
in good condition, and he had no financial trouble
to contend with. He may have speculated some
but not more than man OF his means could afIord'
His relations with his wife and family were afTec-
t1onate. His wife was one OF the brightest women
ever met, and She was everything that wife
ought to be. Col. RathbOne was fortunate In this
when he committed the deed. There is no other
way, In my Judgment, of accounting for this unex-
pecteQ ana SAD occurrence"
ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF TIE MELANCHOLY AFFAIR
cable dispatch from London last night says:
"Col Rathbone has shown signs of melancholia for
the past two months On the night OF the tragedy
he went to the room where his three children and
their nurse were sleeping, and asked to see his
children. His wife appeared Immediately after
ward and. ordering the maid to lock the door, led
her husband back to their bedroom. Directly
afterward shots were heard, followed by cries for
help. Mrs. RathbOnes sister and a servant rushed
to the bedroom door, and, finding 1t locked, broke
1t in. They found Mrs RathbOne dying on the bed,
weltering in her blood. Col Rathbone lay on the
floor, bleeding from five different wounds. A six
shooter, with three empty chambers, and dagger,
covered with gore, were found near by. Doctors
were summoned Immediately, but Mrs Rathbone
died without being able to give any account OF the
deed. Col. RathbOne was able to reach the bed and
Immediately became insensible. When he after
wards became conscious, he appeared not to con-
meet himself with the crime He seemed to think
that q stranger had committed 1t. The neighbOrs
say that Col Rathbone lived on most afectiOnate
terms with his family"
Berlin correspondent says that Mrs Rathbone
was buried on Friday, the funeral being attended
by many American and English friends OF the
family The same correspondent says that Col.
Rathbone may recover.