Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-11-16
DOUBLE TRAGEDY.
A Salvation Lassie Shoots Comrade and
Commits Suicide.

OMAHA, NEB., November l5.-Tne
muster of the Northwestern division OF
the Salvation Army at Omaha, to meet
La Marchale Booth -Clibborn, OF France,
has terminated In . tragedy, sad. sud-
den and inexplicable.
While yet the bell Of the army's
headquarters In Omaha tolled curfew
like, the requiem, for dead Sunday
and the soldiers were filing slowly out
of the barracks, the sound OF pistol
shot rang out above the notes OF the
bell, and with groan enc OF the army's
captains fell to the pavement. the blood
gushing from her mouth and nostrils.
Her body had not yet lodged on the
sidewalk when the second report from
the pistol was heard and private reeled
from the ranks and staggering a step or
two, fell dead ia the gutter, her soul
winging away amid the cloud OF smoke
from her own pistol. 1t was just after
6 o'clock in the evening and the army
forces had gathered at the barracks Tor
the purpose OF making its usual parade
prior TO services.
The presence in Omaha Of the OFF,
cial heads of the army in France and
America, La Marchale Booth-Clibborn
and her brother, Commissioner Balling-
ton Booth, had drawn hither all the
forces of this division, which includes
Iowa, Minnesota, the Dakotas and Ne
braska. For four days the army has
held daily and nightly demonstrations,
and the work was seemingly meeting
with great success.
The real motive for the fearful double
crime is not so clear as it might be, but
the indications point to rather queer
combination Of jealousy and scmi-relig-
ious frenzy. However obscure may be
the motive that prompted the
deed, its results stand out
only too plainly, for the body OF
Nettie Birdock, the murderess ana
suicide, rests on marble slab at the
city morgue, and her victim, Captain
Hattie Smith, OF the Salvation band, at
Oskaloosa, Iowa, is swarthing In untold
agony, in the final extinguishment OF
the vital spark at her temporary board
ing place, on Davenport street.
A resident physician, who hal been
summoned to the bedside or Capt.
Smith, said the wound certainly would
prove fatal. As he lay on the bed rap
idly sinking toward death. Captain
Smith spoke few words concerning
the deed and its motive.
There was a meeting at the army bar
racks Yesterday afternoon, and the
Biedler woman seems to have been there,
but whether she was there during the
entire meeting is not known. Al the
close OF the service she was in the rear
portion OF the church, and sent up word
to CAPTAIN Smith that she wanted to
talk with him.
The latter replied to the messenger
that she was busy then aud could not
grant her the 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
was going on was Lieut.. Mary Bannis-
tock who carried Miss Bledlers' mess
age to Captain Smith.
Inan interview Lieutenant Bannistock
states that she saw the captain go BACK
and engage In conversation with the
woman. and It was so far away she could
hear nothing. One OF the other officers,
Captain Wallace, told the lieutenant to
call the captain, as she wished her 70 go
With her Captain Wallace) down TO her
boarding house. o
The meeting had closed about 4:3o
and It was then an hour later the OH.
GERS having had their lunch served
there at the church and the lieutenant
told Captain Smith to hurry as they
must get back In time for the meeting
in the evening at the First Presoyte-
rian Church.