The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-06-12
SHOT HIS YOUNG BRIDE
A Sad and Deplorable Accident
in Chicago.
David Colbert Kills His Pretty Wife-A Bliss
full Honeymoon Brought to a Tragic
Termination Playing With Pistol.
From Tie Chicago Mil.

| From the Chicago Mail
/ Mrs. David A. Colbert, a bride OF two weeks,
| and but seventeen years Of nge was accideutly
shot by her husband, at Z 80 clock this morn
ing, at their home at l65 Burling street. The
girl died instantly, and her husband is almost
distracted
Since their marriage the young couple have
made their home with the brides parents, at
165 Buring street. Young Colbert, a clerk for
Charles Gormain, No. IS Board Of Trade build
ing, after his marriage took his pretty little
wife to Milwaukee on briGal tour and re-
turned last Thursday. They we're exception
ally fond of each other, and were in the habit
Of romping about tho house like children,
when David, who is but twenty-one, was at
home. This morning, while the balance of
the family were at the breakfast table they
heard the happy young couple laughing and
teasing each other as usual in their bedroom
ad acent to the dining room
David, see, have your watch | think /
will keep 1t, it is so pretty" laughingly re-
marked the young wife as she caught up her
husbands timepiece from beneath the pillow
on he bed and held it in her hand.
$50 you are going to be highway robber
are YOU? You would make very pretty one,
Gcrtie. ! believe I'll turn hixhwayman, too"
jokingly replied David. "Stand and deliyorl"
AS he said this BE- drew his revolver from his
pocket and bTandished it in tho air.
"Im not afraid Of pistol said the bride,
as she jumped out Of bed. stll aitircd IN her
chemise and night robo Approaching her
husband, who stood at the foot Of the bed she
made ieint to take the weapon from him
while he endeavored to keep il from her. just
how it happened David IN unable to tell, but
she N some manner struck the revolver with
her hand, causing it to 20 off. The explosion
Of tie cartridge-of a2-callbre--WGs heard all
over the house, and brought tho family ex-
oitodly to ne scene.
ooh Kitie, look at David" cried tho bride
TO her twin sister who Was the first to enter the
room. pointing to the young husband, who he'd
fallen to tho floor horror stricken and nerve
less. lie had seen the blood spnrt from
Jagged wound over the loft nipple OF his wife
and knew that he had shot her. Those were
the last words she spoke, and,assthe last sylla-
bic fell from her lips she reeled and dropped
upon the bed dead. She did not know evil
denly that she hresolf had been shot, thinking
rather that her husband vas hurt. THE scene
which followed for tho iirt few moments
after the tragedy was terrible one. Scarcely
realizing what he!Was doing, the frantic,
moaning husband placed tho muzzle Of the re-
volver 10 his head TO blow his brains out, but
was prevented by his brother, who satcled it
from his hand. Breaking ont Of the room he
ran TO the kitchen, crying out for a knife. lie
did not want to live, he said as he
searched the room for weapon with which to
XIII himself. Ills brother and brothern-law,
William Adams, were compelled to hold him
until lac became partially composed, Even
then they were afraid to leave his side, until
Lieutenant Lloyd, of the Webster avenue sta
ton, arrived and took him to his private Office
The poor old mother was Frustrated with
grief, and the twin sister Miss kittic, flung
herself upon the body Of her beloved relative
and playmate and wopt unconsolable. The
dead girl was placed in tho bed, from which
she had but n moment before sprang so hap
PLY. A smile came upon her face when the
body was laid ont, and she seemed TO be in
deep, sweet sleep, Her hands, white as mar
bic, and fingers tapering beautifully, were
crossed upon her breast and holding pearl
crutix inald with gold. Two waxen candles
were lighted aud placed on the con:}ode at
the head of the bed and the room of death
closed to await the coming of the coroner
Those who came in to console the family were
almost as much affected at the sad sight us
the relatives Many Of them wcpt bitterly and
knelt down beside the couch and prayed 81
lently for the repose of the dead gals soul.
Miss Gertrude Muench and David Colbert
were married two weeks ago at st. Michaol's
church by the Rev. Father Weber, and the
handsome APP oaranee OF the young couple and
their great happiness were frequently referred
to 10y their neighhors and friends. Gertie. as
she was always called. was very pretty Her
shoe, No. rs looked like tho5e of child, and
her hand is not larger than those Of twelve
year-9id girl. Mr.. Mueuch, the father of the
dead bride, is an enployo in II. NJ. Hooker's
glass aud paint establishment at Clinton and
Randolph streets When tho news was first
told him he seemed heartbroken and could not
utter q word.
The grief-stroken husband was partially
nsensiblc tor an hour after the accident, hut
has recovered, and sits moaning and calling
out his wi!e'a name continually. lie has a
brother ana two sisters living in this city, aud
they were all TO have moved with him and his
wife TO IS Bisscll street today where the young
folks said they were going to "keep house"
The affair Is known TO have been an accident,
and the police, though they have young
Colbert in custody. will allow him TO return to
his homo after the post norton has been
held.
Colbert was seen by Mail reporter at the
station shortly after his arrest. He is n very
handsome. stylishly-dreSsed young man. He
sat IN his coli with Ills face buried In his hands
He was crying bitterly Between his sohS he
told the story Of tho depOiabo accident. 81
was III bed, hc said, "and Gertie had lust got
up She was in a playful mood and was talk
ing in a joking way. raj cd up my pillow to
eot my watch and She grabbed II, | then took
the revolver, thinking, of course, l could play
with hor without it going OF. ! pushed the
revolver TO her breast and asked her for the
watch. | said; "Win You give it to me-
Goruo" She pouted aud said Il WON'T l
won't, WON'T Then he hit my hand and
| the gun went or Oh. irs horrible" and the
| poor fellow dropped ON the bench IN the cell. n
| deluge OF tears streaming down his face.
| I'VE were SO happy he finally managed to
| say "and wore just about 20 move 10 cur new
| home NJ 2b8 hssoll street. which we had fixed
| up SO nicely"
! Colbert is n well known young man around
! the board vi trade. lie is employed as clerk
! by the commission firm OF {. &. German. lie
| Is popular ON the board, and has tho roputa-
/ ton Of being quiet young man, having none
| OF tho vices common 10 great many Young
| fellows Of his age.
4 business acquaintance said: every one
! knows Dave Colbert lie has been On the
| board of trade for eight or ninc years. IIo was
| nice fellow and always bore good reputa-
ton. lie had no bad habits or fast friends,
and mover saw him drunk in my life"
MAD MooNSHINERs