Omaha daily bee., 1884-10-06
DARK CRIME.
A Jealous MOkG Kills Himself and Puts
Two Balls Into His Wife,
The Family Trouble one of Long
Brewing.
DARK CRIME.
Details of The Tragedy.

Shortly after o'clock last evening
there was a terrible and double tragedy
enacted on Madison street Just south of
Pierce street, in the very shadow of the
Methodist church where was gathered a
large number of peaceful worshippers.
The participants in the tragedy were
Charles Austin and his wife, both color.
ed.s He shot at his wife four times, two of
the balls taking effect, and then he shot
himself, dying instantly. The cause of
this tragedy was jealously on his part
either fancied or real. Austin and his
wife have been living together for
about two years. She had a
little boy now about FIVE
years old, by another husband. The
family have been living In house in the
rear of "blue barn, and facing on Pierce
street. A short distance from that Aus
tins step-father, James johnson. Aus.
tin has for some time been charging his
wife with infdelity, and this has led to
frequent trouble, his family sympathyz-
ing with him. A short time ago this led
to quarrel between Mrs. Austin and her
mother.in-law Mrs. johnson, in which
they got to throwing brick at each other
and as result both were arrested
and fined. About week ago
Austin had row with his wife,
shot several times but he claimed
that the revolver went off accidentally,
and she came into court and testified
to the same thing. He was thus let off
with a slight fine, though many believed
then that he tried to shoot her at that
time.
A few days ago Austin had row with
another coloredman named Pete Fletcher,
whom he thought was too intimate with
Mrs. Austin. Austin pulled revolver but
Fletcher knocked him down and got the
revolver away from him, but afterwards
returned 1t to him. 1t was this same re-
volver with which he did the shooting
A day or two ago he had another set.to
with Fletcher, and had the latter ar.
rested for assault. Fletcher, therefore,
seems to bave been the chief cause of his
Jealousy. Saturday Austin informed his
folks that he intended to leave the woman
and let her shift for herself. Last eve-
ming about six o'clock his step. father,
johnson, met Austin near Metcafe's sa-
loon, wheres Austin was employed, and
urged him to come home, let the woman
live by herself, offering to let him live at
home without coat of board or rent. Soon
after johnson had reaceed home, eaten
his supper, and while Mrs. johnson was
at church he heard the shooting, and
rushing out found Austin had shot his
wife and killed himself.
Several persons were on the street in
tho vicinity of the shooting. Just how
Austin and his wife met, or what conver.
sation they had, does not appear. The
shooting first attracted the attention OF
passers-by. Austin shot four times in
rapid succession at his wife, and then,
turning, started to run, but had gone but
a short distance when he stopped, put the
revolver to his head and fired. He fell
dead in the middle of Madison street, the
ball having entered the head on the right
side above the ear. The woman received
two bullets-one In the shoulder,
the other ball in the back, just
below the shoulder blade. She was at
once taken to her house, and Coroner
Connell summoned to care for the body
of the man. DR.. Deetken was called in
but was unable to find the balls. The
wound in the shoulder was bleeding
profusely, but the other was not. 1t is
doubtful about her living. Coroner Con-
nell took the body of the man to his un.
dertaking rooms and impanelled jury
consisting of Jessie Walters. Ed. Bates
and Jim Grant, and adjourned the in
quest until 10 o'clock this morning.