The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-11-16
And Bullet Sent Into the Brain OF the Mur-
deress by Herself After Her Victim Had
Fallen Limp to the Sidewalk.
Another Member of the Board Overcome
by the Sight and Fatally Paralyzed.
Shocking Sunday Night Scene IN the Streets
of Omaha-Indians Farmer Assassinated
and Little Girl Accidentally Shot
SALVATION ARMY TRAGEDY.
Jealousy and Religions Frenzy Lead 60
Murder and Suicide at Omaha.

SALVATION ARMY TRAGEDY.
Jealousy and Religious Frenzy Lead 60 q
Murder and Suicide AT Omaha.
OMAHA. Neb.. Nov. 15.-The muster Of
the Northwestern division of the Salvation
Army at Omaha to meet La MarechaI
Booth -Clibborn OF France, has termin ated
In tragedy sad. sudden and nexplicable.
While yet the bell of the army's headquar-
ters in Omaha tolled, curfew-likc. the
requiem for q dead Sunday. and the
soldiers were filing slowly out OF the
barracks, the sound of a pistol shot
rang out above the notes of the bell, aud
with groan one of the army's captains
fell to the pavement. blood gushing from
her month and nostrils. Her body had not
vet lodged on the sidewalk when the Sec
ond report from the pistol was heard and .
private reeled from the ranks and stagger-
ing blindly step OF two. fell dead in the
gutter, her soul winging away amid the
ciond of smoke from her own pistol.
IL was just after O'clock in the evening
and the Army's forces had gathered at the
barracks for the purpose OF making its
usual parade prior TO services. The pres
ence in Omaha of the official heads of the
army in France and America. La Marecha al
BOoth-Clibborn. and her brother Commits
sioner Ballington Booth. had drawn hIther
all the forces of this division. which in
cludes Iowa, Minnesota, the Dakotas. and
Nebraska. For four days the Army
has held daily aud nightly demon-
strations, and the work was seemingly
meeting with great success. The real mo-
tive for the fearful double crime is not so
clear ae it might be. but the indications
point TO a rather queer combination of jeal-
ousy and scmi-religious frenzy. However
obscure may be the motive that prompted
the deed, its results stand out only too
plainly, for the body of Nettie Birdler. the
murderess and suicide. rests on "a marble
slab at the city morgue, and her victim,
Captain Hattie Smith, of the Salvation
band, at Oskaloosa, Ia, is awaiting, In un-
told agony, the final extingushment of the
vital spark at her temporary boarding
place on Davenport street
THE FATAL SHOTS.
The murderess came Tpon her victim az
she was standing on the sidewalk conyers-
ing with Captain Wallace. from MARSHALL
town, la. Without speaking she drew
a revolver from beneath the folds of
her dress and fired. Almost simultaneously
of pain from the wounded Captain Smith,
and she and CAPTAIN Wallace started TO run
down the street
Evidently fearing the bullet had not
reached vital spot, the crazed private
followed her fleeing victim few
steps and fired again. Even, as tho
woman lcvelcd the revolver, the wounded
captain reeled and fell Without waiting
to know the effect of her second shot, the
murderess placed the muzzle of her weapon
to her right temple, and pressed the tr gger
the third time. A mnffled report, a heavy
plunge forward. and the body of Netfie
Biedler sank lifeiess to the gutter. blood
and brains gushing from a CHASTITY hole
away lay Captain Smith. uncon-
sciously moaning. crimson flood dyeine
bright red the folds of her sombre uniform,
while her lips were the portals of a foun-
tain from which blood gushed forth with
every convulsive heave of her breast
All this happened so quickly that not
hand could be raised to prevent or STAY the
commission of the awful deed. 1t was the
work OF but a moment. Soon the horror
stricken on lockers recovered and the
body of the dead woman was raised and
carried into the Office of livery
stable, while the wounded cap
tain was removed to drug
while n crowd gathered in front of the
livery stable. When the police had taken
charge of the corpse. awaiting
the coroner's arrival. doctor
bent over The wounded woman and
etilI alive" he whispered. although her
breathing could hardly be discerned.
stand back and give us some
arr" said the doctor. but before the
on-lookers could move, there was a con-
vulsiyc gasp. IA ashudder. and Nottie BIedler
was beyond the reach of medical science
or surgical skill. She was dead. A
ragged hole in her forehead, n red line
down her pale face. marked the path
through which her spirit shook oil it's tcni-
pie of clay. Ii was a -gruesome scene. Il
can do more for her." said the doctor with
professional calmness, and the hands were
crossed above her breast.
Then there came a commotion at the
door. Heres her brother" said some one.
and young man entered. He looked on
the corpse of his sister. and a sob of anguish
burst from his lips Then be spoke few
words, saying he was her brother. but
and hurrIedly left. The .coroner came and
took charge of the body. ordering 1t re-
moved to the morgue.
SHE LOVED THE FEMALE CAPTAIN.
Captain Smith was removed from the
drug store to her temporary boarding
place. only two blocks away. Hardly had
she been placed upon bed when she was
attacked by a violent hcmorrhagc from the
lungs and bled copiously. A second physi-
clan, who had been summoned, said the
wound certainly wou,d prove fatal. AS
she lay on the bed. rapidly sinking toward
death, Captain smith spoke a few words
concerning the deed and l.s motive.
She said she had sought TO induce Miss
Biedlcr to join the army while stationed at
Council Bluffs sonio thirty days ago. On
coming TO Omaha Miss Bieclcr sought her
ont. and with great show of affection told
her she loved her. On several occasions
Miss Biedier sought tn occupy the atten-
tion of the Captain. TO the exclusion of all
others There was n meeting at the army
harracks yesterday afternoon. and the
Biedler woman seems Ia have been
there. but whether she was there during
tho entire meeting is not known. as no one
noticed her until after the close of the sery-
ice At that time she was IN the rear por-
tion OF the church. and sent up word to
Capt. Smith that sue wanted To talk with
her The latter replied 10 the messenger
that she was busy then. and could not
grant her request. but after eating lunch
went back and talked to the Biedler woman
for some time. What was said by either OF
them is unknown. as the only person who
noticed what vas going on was Lieut.. Mary
Bannister. of Watcher. Ia, who carried
Miss Biedlers :aessage TO Captain Smith
When interrogated by reporter alter
the shooting. Lieutenant Bannister stated
that she saw the captain go back and en-
gage in conversation with the woman. bnt
was so far away that she conld tell moth
lug ab0ut " hat was said.
ono of the other officers, Captain Wal
lace. of MarshalltowD. finally told
the Lieutenant to call the Cap
tain as she wished her to 90 with
har TCanfain Wallarel down tn THAR