The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-09-19
AN UNMlTIGATED ASS.
WiIfrld [. lawson Points an Empty"
Gun at His Wife. =
or COURSE IT KILLED HER.
The Husband fs Frantic with Grief and
IL Hold I'm Custody Central Falls Can
Get Along for Awhile without Another
Such Accident"

During the past week Wilfred L. Law
son of Central Falls, purchased new II
bore shot gun, but did not have chance
TO give it trial until Saturday after
noon. He invited his brother William,
who resides in Olneyville, to come out and
try it. This they accordingly did. and
after awhile returned to the house, when
wilfred proceeded to clean the gun. His
wife was preparing supper, and they got
70 taIting and Joking when the husband
thought to give his wife a little scare;
Acting upon this impulse he inserted
what he supposed was an empty shell
into the gun. and drawing bead on his
wife pulled the tripper. The shells were
brass shells, and were primed wnen
Instead OF the snap OF the primer which
he expected to hear upon pulling tne
trigger loud report followed, and the
unfortunate woman received tho full
charge Of NO. 8 bird shot in the side OF the
neck, just under tho left ear. She fell IN
sensible to the floor, and was probably
almost instantly killed.
Lawson stood with the gun In his hands
like one stupeficd but soon rallied sufh-
GENTLY to send his brother William, who
witnessed the whole affair, for police
man. The latter notified Officer Bagley.
The officer accompanied him back to the
house, where he found the woman lying
on the floor and her husband standing
beside her as il unable to move. The Off
Ger asked him how 1t happened, and the
unfortunate man told him that he did IL
and broke down before finishing his story.
DR.. Malo was notified, and also Medical
Examiner Kelliher of Pawtucket. The
latter arrived about o'clock, and after
thoroughly examining the premises went
10 the police station, where Lawson had
already been taken. When the doctor
entered and informed him in response to
his entredties. that his wife was dead the
mans grief was pitiaDle to behold. 1t was
some timc before he could tell the story
OF the accident.
he has been Ia this country eleven years
and has been married three years. His
wife was 81 years of age and cafne from
Olneyville, her maiden name being Mary
Alice Chadwick. He has lived In Central
che comforter works at Saylesville as en-
gineer. He boro an excellent reputation
q q sober and industrious man.
Lawson was placed under guard Sat
urday night, MS It was feared he might
attempt to injure himself. Yesterday
morning he was arraiened on the charge
OF murder before Judge Goff, waived ex-
animation and was bound over to the De-
cember term Of the Court OF Common
Pleas, without bail.
The remains were removed to the un-
dortakipR establishment OF Louis g.
Phillips, where an autopsy was held yes
terday by DIR. Kelsher. assisted by DIR.
Malo of Central Falls and Or. Johnson
of Pawtucket. Twenty-Five of the bird
shot were removed from the neck, face
and ear. The shot had severed the car
otid artery and also the pneumo-gastric
nerve, causing immediate death. After
the autopsy the body was prepared for
burial by Undertaken Phillips and Judge
Goff gave permission for the prisoner to
view the remains Officers Welsh and
Herbert cond ortcd him to the undertak-
inR rooms, where he was met by his
mother and brother and his wife's par
ents and sister. After an affecting scene
Lawson was taken to his home for
change OF clothing and on returning to
the station was again met by his rela.
uves. Ate o'clock they left him, and
Officer Coombs was stationed on guard.
Mr. Lockwoo Of SaylesviIle visited him
and offered him any assistance IN his
power. 1t has been decided to hire a
lawyer and petition the Supreme court
TO admit Lawson 10 bail.
Over 2,OU0 people visited the rooms of
Undertaken Phillips yesterday to get a
look at the unfortunate woman, and this
morning they again appeared in such
numbers that Mr.. Phillips was obliged to
close his doors. The funeral will be held
tomorrow afternoon from the residence
Of her parents. No. 1,006 Atwells avenue,
In this city.
Lawson was taken to Cranston at 1880
this morning and lodged in jail.