The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-02-08
FAIR AND FIENDISH,
A Ttaaical Episode in New York
City Hospital
How a wife DiSsembied Affection to
Obtain IA Chance TO Use the
Dagger, and Then Dis
appeared.

New YORK. Feb s--When the officers
from tie Harlem police court went to the
Charity hospital with warrant for the ar
rest of Frank u. Hail. an inmate Of one OF
the sick wards, for having passed bogus
check on p &. Shumaker, a furniture-dealer,
last December, they learned Of an event which
in tragic detail las seldom been eQualed.
Monday last strikingly attractive and we'll
dressed young woman called at the hospital
and asked to see Hall. Il am his wife," said
the young woman, and have brought him
some trihes that may hasten his re-
covery, rat least that will relieve the tedium
of his hours" The fair visitor smiled sweetly
upon the hoase-physician when ushered
into his presence, and displayed basket Of
fruit and small bouquet Of flowers. Poor
fellow, ] hope he will soon DO well. Doctor,
can l see my husband alone for a few mo-
ments! We have been separated for several
days, and you know, doctor, how we can
appreciate such kindness if you will only
grant it, said Mrs. Hall.
The kind hearted medical maa was Roved
by this appeal, and accompanied his visitor
to her husbands ward He noticed with de-
light the affectionate way in which the two
he had brought together greeted each other,
and departed from there as the deft
fingers of the little lady were ar
ranging the flowers she had brought
with her in dish OF water. An hour later
the serene little wife appeared again a
the house-surge0ns Office and in the blan,iest
tones thanked him for his courtesy and was
eloquent of the pleasure afforded her by the
visit She then departed and has not since
been seen.
Great heavens! What is the meaning OF
this? shouted the house physician when he
went to Halls bedside. The sick man
was unconscious and covered with blood
A bowie-knife was hilt deep in his
side. Restorativcs were applied, and q
hasty examination being made, it was found
that the sick man had been stabbed in tbs
groin, in the shoulder in the arm, and in the
hip When Hall was finally restored to con.
seriousness be said that the moment he was
left alone with his wife her manner changed
from that of a lovable and dutful spouse tt
that of an angry avenger.
"'You wretch that you are, Kissed my
wife said Hall, "'do you think that have
brought you these flowers and this fruit be
cause love you! Do you imagine that
utNG CUiIlS DeTb WIN SilllltS Oh
and that kissed you with the pleasure of {
fond wife at meeting hey faithful husband
No, it was ali deception. did it that NIGH
reach your side WITHOUT arousing your suspi
cion. | did it that might have revengel
have come to kill your
The wounded man described his wife,
actions so graphically that even the veteran
surgeon shuddered to hear it. He said tina
her eye cleaned with frenzy that rendered
him speechless. He endeavored to pacify th'
woman, but it was unayailing.
Il tried to call for assistance" added Hall
"but she clasped her hand over my mouth
and to my horror drew a knife from he
dress, and, fiourishing it above me, mutterec
something about riddi.g The sod; # a fiend
| ! was Supplied with fear and unable to re
sist. / saw the cleaning knife descending
and then all was darkness, and can rerem
| Der nothing further"
| The strangest part of this little episode
that, although the Fifty ninth Street Polio
station is in direct communication with Tn
hospital, not word of the occurrence wa
received by the police authorities. Officer
have been sent to apprelend Mrs. Hall Blu
| up to late hour no clew to her whereabout
| had been obtained.