Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-02-14
A HORRIBLE AFFAIR.
Lewis Q. Halsey Shoots HIS Wife Ser
iOusly and Then Himssif
Fatally.

Lewis 9. Halsey shoots HIS wife Ser
iOusiy and Then Himssf
Fatally.
Ono Of those blOodcurdling TRACE.
dies u thought which makes one shud-
der occurred at the Empire House IN
Columbus about ! 80 o'clock last
Monday when Lewis s. Halsey, once
resident Of this city but late Of
Tombstone, Arizona, attempted TO
fatally shoot his wife Amelia NJ. Hal.
sey, q daughter of A. Willard Of this
city, aud while thinking her TO be In
a dying condition aud with the nerve
aud determination Of q mailman sue
ceeded in ending his own life after
firing his revolver eight times In all.
Mr.and Mrs. Halsey were married in
this city in 1879, but ceased to live to-
gether as man and wife about four
years ago. Three children were the
fruits of the marriage, all of whom
are dead.
II seems that Mr.. Halsey came from
Tombstone few weeks ago 10 visit
his brother ut Galena and for the pur-
pose of trying 10 get his wife TO live
with him again. They could not
agree, however, and he finally wrote
her letter stating, as he had often
told her before, that If she would not
consent to live with him he would kill
her aud himself, too. She did not be.
lieve he would do 1t, but when he
came to Columbus about three weeks
ago aud wanted secret meeting with
her she feared him aud at once began
proceedings 10 secure a divorce from
him. On Monday last Halsey again
went to Columbus from Galena dress.
ed 10 a suit which he had previously
told her he would wear when he came
to see her for the last time, and upon
his arrival at Columbus Sheriff Babb
served notice Of her action for divorce
upon him. This seemed 10 increase
his wrath and he sent her note ask
ing TO have a talk and finally went to
the Empire House and asked TO see
her. She was in the parlOr and as
he entered he locked the door behind
him, which she did not notice, how
ever. A short conversation cnsued
and finding that he could not regain
her love nor compel her TO try to live
with him again he took from his over
coat pocket 3S.caliber, double action
"bulldog" pistol and while she at
'.mpted to open the door and get
away he shot her from behind, the
ball passing through the feshy part of
the right side just below the ribs. She
fell back, as he thought MORALLY
wounded. He then aimed the pistol
at his own forehead aud fired, but the
ball failed to penetrate the skull and
only dazed him. He fell with his face
over hers aud his blood trickled down
upon her head as he nervOusly fired
again and again at his own head
without effect. Knowing his wound
Nwas not fatal one he arose, procured
four more cartridges, quickly refilled
the chambers OF his pistol and again
hegan firing at his own head. The
first three shots were wild, but the
ball of the fourth entered al the base
of the skull on the right side and this
man of most wonderful nerve aud de-
termination received his fatal wound.
The shooting was all done in a few
moments, but by the time IL was over
q large crowd had gathered about the
building. An entrance to the room
was soon forced aud the horrible re-
suit of the tragedy witnessed by the
excited people.
An inquest was held and q verdict
rendered in harmony with the above
facts. Mrs. Halsey was Immediately
put under the care Of DIR. Baxter Of
Columbus and is in a fair way to re-
cover. Her left side is partially par
alyZrd, but this is thought to I've from
the effects Of her fall and not from the
wound.
The remains Of Mr.. Halscy were
taken charge of by his brother Samuel
Halsey of Galeha and Mr.. Jennings,
distant relative, and on Tuesday even
ing they were shipped to this city and
buried beside those of his children in
our city cemetery.