The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-03-26
Inflame tho British Passions In the
Breast of George
M. Riley,
And Inoite Him to Undue His Hands in
the Blood Of His Defense
less Wife.
After Firing Six Bullets into Her Body He
Sends One Crashing Through
His Own Brain.

ST.. LOUIS, Mo, March pa murder
and suicide occurred at $3.50 O'Clock this
morning at No. 2lO4 Morgan street. The
principal actor in the tragedy is Geo. M.
Riley, pilot on the steamer Arkansas
City. Riley entered his home at the hour
named, and found his wife washing her
hands near the kitchen door. He passed
by her, then turned suddenly, pulled re-
yolver and fired four bullets into her
back. She ran screaming into the yard,
he following and firing
TWO MORE SHOTS,
all of which took effect in the helpless
woman She fell in the yard. He re-
entered the Kitchen passed into the front
parlor and shot himself through the head,
the ball entering about two inches below
the right ear. He fell on the floor, his
head striking spittoon in front OF the
fireplace. His death was instantaneous.
Mrs. Riley is still living, but her recovery
is impossible.
THE CAUSE OF THE TRAGEDY
is jealousy and drink. Riley was about
thirty-seven years of age and his wife
ed thirty-fve. They were married fifteen
wears ago, and have had seven children,
five of whom are living, the Oldest boy
of fourteen.
The person who is alleged to have eX-
cited Riley's jealousy to such tragic ex-
tent is Dr. W. S. Carnes.
THE ALARM.
The colorcd woman, as soon as Riley
1 81, ha l. FOL ba
alarm and the neighbors tocked into the
yard in multitudes. Mrs. Riley was at
once removed to her bedroom up stairs,
and messengers were dispatched in all
directions after physicians Drs. Prewitt
and Dickson were the first to arrive.
They examined and dressed the
wounds of the woman -. and
left her as comfortable as
possible, but with little hope of her re-
covery. The Colored woman was so
much excited that she could scarcely talk,
but the neighbors learned from her after
repeated questioning that Riley had gone
into the front part of the house. She did
not know that he had killed himself.
Several men entered the parlor and found
him lying, partly doubled up, across the
carpet, his head resting in tie spittoon,
which was
FILLED WITH BLOOD.
One glance was sufficient to show that
he was dead, and that death must have
occurred almost simultaneously with the
flash of the revolver. He was rather good.
looking, heavy-set man, with chin whiskers
and mustache, both very dark, but streaked
with grey. His age was about forty-fve.
He had been river man for years, and
was one of the best pilots on the Missis.
sipp River. His trip was usually between
st. Louis and Vicksburg, and lately with
Harry Watson, another well-known pilot,
he has been handling the wheel of the
steamer Arkansas City.
His wages were said to have been Sl75
per month. As he lay in his blood upon
the parlor floor, he wore a dark suit of
clothes and appeared to be man who
took pretty good care of himself in that
respect. His face was somewhat bloat-
cd.
AN EXAMINATION
of Mrs. Riley's wounds revealed the fact
that two of the balls passed through her
body, entering at or near the lungs, the
third taking downward course and lodg.
ing in the interior, The fourth ball en-.
tered the arm and came out at the wrist
To save her life is considered almost out
OF the question. She is rather hand
some woman, well formed and young.
looking for her age. The pallor OF
her face this morning served
to give her complexion, which is
rather dark, marbe.like appearance
Her eyes are large, and her general eX.
preston one of intelligence. She has
been married to Riley about fifteen
years, and has borne him seven chill
dren, five of whom are living, the old
est boy, aged fourteen. One of the
children is pretty little girl of nine
and she more than any of the Others
seems to realize the full meaning o
the horrible tragedy. She wept bitterl
and begged to see her mamma and pap
most piteously this morning.