The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-07
SLAIN WITH A CARVING KNIFE.
A Saloon Keeper Cuts His Wife's Throat Be-
cause She Gave Her Money to Her Children.

CHICAGO Feb. 6-The throat OF Mrs. Matthias
Busch was slit from ear to ear this evening by
her husband saloon-keeper. She died a mo-
ment later at the feet of the murderer. The
deed was done at their house, in the presence
of their children and aunt of the victim.
Busch was arrested, knife in hand, while the
blood was yet squirting from the corpse, few
feet distant just he was about 60 slay his lit
tie daughter. The tragedy horribly cold
blooded and p-emeditated. It bad its orign in
tho covstousness of Busch. who had
been foiled in his desire TO
control SO, 900 worth Of real estate that had
been willed his wife by her father. Six years
ago Busch, then twenty-five years of age and
married his wife, then Nellie Schauk, the twenty
three-year-old daughter of Peter Schauk, well
known and wealthy German saloon keeper. 1t
was said at the time that Busch only married
the girl for the money that would ono day be
hers. and certain it is that from the wedding
day his treatment of her harsh and cruel
IF money was his object, fortune favored him,
for soon his father-in-law died. leaving all his
property to his wife. Mrs. Schauk survived
him but few months, and three years ago Mrs
Busch came into possession of the entire prop
erty. Busch this evening came home to supper
and sat down at the table with his wife opposite
him.
'.You made out your will to-day did your
askedthe husband scrowling at his wife.
Yes was the response.
s.What did you do with it2'
81 left it to the children
damn you, what do you mean by thatP
Finishing his supper in silence, he rose from
the table, picking up the carving knife he did
SO. and went toward his wife. He placed his
left arm caressingly around her neck, while the
blade cleaned in his right hand. The poor wife,
unused to such caresses looked into his face in
frightened kind Of way
You had batter give that knife,
Matthew, s-said the aunt (who was present1,
reaching for it
Damn you, take it,n said Busch, and with
quick movement he cut her hand TO the hone.
Then, without another word, he turned, toward
his wife, whose pale face was stll upturned to
his. and catching her hair in one hand, bent her
kead back and drew the sharp blade across her
throat. The warm blood spurted across the
room, and as the murderer relaxed his grasp the
poor woman rose to her feet, threw up her
hands, staggered forward two steps. and
foil to the ho,r. The. aunt rushed
from the room. Busch sat down, and
took up his fhree-year- old child. One more
moment would probably have been the little
ones last, but just then two officers. attracted
By the screams of the fleeing aunt burst in tho
door. Seated in a chair was Busch with his
three-year-old child his knee and in his
right hand a carving knife from which tho blood
was dripping.
See ses.' laughed the child, pointing to tho
curse Busch threw the child to one side and
dropped the knife TO the floor. Then, without
another word, he rose and watched the officers
IS they bent over the body of his wife. feeling
the pulse, which had already stopped. The lit
tie child began TO cry. and the officers, taking
Busch BY the arm, led him from tho house to
the station