Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-05
SHOT BY HER HUSBAND.
Police Officer Norcum Wounds His
Wife.
SCANDAL WHICH CAME NEAR ENDING IN A TRAGEDY
-coNFLICTING STORIES OF HUSBAND AND WIFE As
TO THE SHOOTING


Police Officer James Norcum appeared at the
sixth police precinct last night at II o'clock, and
gave himself into custody, stating that there had
been trouble at his house, and his wife had been
shot. His story that he patrolled his beat be-
tween 7th and 10th and NJ and streets, until about
10 O'Clock, when he got sick card from the SER
geant and went to his home Ali Massachusetts, av-
enue. He found his wife and children away, but
going In search OF them, met his wife at the
Of Sd and streets She said she had been with
another woman, her cousin, to Dr. Draper's on
street, to have tooth drawn. Norcum said, 1--WE
will go back to your cousins and see about it." He
took her then to her cousins house, 4th ST., and
1ound the cousin standing in the doorway with
two men. His wife, he said, drew back, saying she
did not want to be ashown up" before those men.
the proof When his wife asked her cousin, the
latter said they had been to the dentists He then
took his wife home and found the house dark.
MAN BEHIND TRR DOOR
When a light was produced he saw man standing
just behind the closet door, his hand upon pistol
which rested on the mantelpiece. Norcum pro-
duced his own pistol Immediately, and his wife
jumped upon him to prevent his hring. He knocked
her down, and both men began firing. All three OF
finally escaped from the house while Norcum was
held by his wife Mrs Norcum begged her hus-
band not to kill her, but to think OF the children.
He then left the house and gave himself up Nor
cum said he did not know the man who was In the
house, although he had seen him before He had
know whether he or the other man had shot his wIe
1t was found that she had three pfstolshOt wounds
in her left ankle. Two Of the bullets passed through
and one remained imbeGdfd In the flesh. NorcIm
said he had suspected his wife for long time and
had cautioned her against going with other men.
He was not expected home last night, as his hours
OF duty would not, ordinarily, have ended before
morning.
MRS NoRCUMs DENIALs.
Mrs. Norcum last night denied the imputation Of
inf1delity cast upon her, or that there was any
mo In fhn h0yyc ondC Cofd VhAk has H,,,e,
band accused her OF infdelity, beat and choked
her, and then exhausted all the shots In his
pistol and her own, which was lying on the
mantei-plec Firemen Of No engine company,
opposite Norcums house, state that they Saw a
man running out OF the house just before Norcum
came out Norcum, who is IS years OF age. has
been on the police force three years, and was re-
Gently promoted. His wife Is about 30. They have
three children, the Oldest being girl Of 10 years OF
Mrs Norcums maiden name was Mcintosh and
She Is native Of southeast Washington.
STATEMENT OF MRS. NoRCUM
A STAR reporter this morning went to the house
of Policeman Norcum, Ali Massachusetts, avenue
where he met DR.. Marstella at the door, and was
invited in. Soon afterwards Drs Bowen and Ball
appeared, the latter being the family physician.
The reporter saw Mrs. NOrcum and had a converse
tion with her. She said that she went down last
night to the house Ot q lady friend OF hers on
street, and with her went to store on that street
TO make few purchases. While on r street she
met her husband and he asked her where she had
cousins house. He seemed to doubt her, as he
always did. and wanted her to go back with him
to verify her statement She went with him, and
afterwards she accompanied him home When they
entered the house he commenced Quarreling with
her and became so violent that he knocked her
she was down drew his revolver and emptied it,
shooting her In the ankle several times He then
caught up another revolver lying on the mantle
piece and emptied that also. They had walked
home together, not many unpleasant wordsohaving
passed between them. There was no man in the
house at all, and only the colored woman servant.
all untrue" she said, and added that Mr. Norcum
was jealous and always had been, without cause,
and had for many years treated her wrOngfully.
He was native Of Norfolk and a painter Oy trade
They had been married some thirteen years She
did not wish to say more.
ments, and said there had been no man In the
house at all, and that Mrs Norcom's husband
treated her badly.
FOUR SHOTS FIRED INTO TIE WIPES ANKLE
After these conversations the doctors who had
assembled examined the condition of the lady's
ankle, and concluded that she would have to be
moved to q hospital. Accordingly, arrangements
were made to have her removed this afternoon to
been four shots fired into her right ankle, two hav-
ing passed through, and two were still imbedded
under the ankle joint, making very complicated
case OF ii. Arrangements were made for the police
ambulance to remove her. The children will have
TO be provided for in some way, as they are run
ming about the street with no protector.
The impression seems to generally prevail, espe-
cially among the police, that Norcum had grounds
for Jealousy, and has had for several years past.
No one seems to know who was In the house with
Mrs. Norcum, and the statements made 70 the re-
porter, inside the house, were positive that there
was no one there.
one cf the physicians told the reporter that it
looked as If Mrs. NorcuM's assailant had caught
hold OF her foot and held it while he red the shots
TO lame her.
THE OFFICER RELEASED on 81 900 BAH.
Oficer Norcum slept at the station all night, and
this morning he went to the Police Court in Gus
tody Of Sergeant Amiss. About ten O'Clock Ser
geant Hollinberger appeared and swore to q war
rant, charging the officer with assault and battery
with intent to kill Mr. Campbell Darlington, who
appeared for the officer called the case 10 the at
The assistant district attorney stated that ne had
not Investigated the case, but that he had note
from Dr.. Bowen, stating that the officers wife was
unable to appear account OF her INJURIES and he
would like to inquire into the case first. After
making the inquiries Mr.. Thomas stated that he
was willing to accept 81 600 BAIL and continue the
case Indefinitely. The officer gave the required
bail and he was released.
SUR AGAINST THE METROPOLITAN STREET RAn-
R0AD.-Today, In the Circuit Court, Judge Hag-
Railroad company. action 60 recover |
s. 600 damages, alleged TO nave been sustained by
q horse OF defendant knocking down plaintfnB |
wife about two years since, was taken up Neasra |
Riddle, Davis and Radgett appear for plaintiff and
N. Wilson for defendant
At the annual convention OF the WomanH 6uf- |
frage Association at Providence, r L, yesterday,
eddreases were made bJ Ma Lucy Stone, susAn b |