Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1892-05-20
Edward Zehncr's Break.

Edward NJ. Zehner, formerly of Zelieno-
pie. made record for himself at Perrys-
Vile, last Friday, and then shot himself
through the head.
His wife's story Of the affair when seen
at Perrysville next day was as follows:
nMy husband" said she, "has been
drinking considerably for some time past
and said he was going TO rent farm near
Hites station on the West Penn road. He
insisted on me accompanying him to look
at the property and / went up yesterday.
After seeing ii told him that would live
almost any place in the world but on that
farm. He had no money and could only
rent it and do not know whether he had
enough money TO pay the rent.
1--WE returned TO the city and | went
home. He did not come in last night, and
at IL O'Clock took my two children and
came here to my mothers house. About
o'clock as we were sitting at the supper
table he came in and side:
ff1 want to know what you are going to
do, and l said, Ny God, Ed, what Just
then he drew his revolver and began to
shoot. do rot remember much after that
az received two shots in my arm and my
sister was also shot He must have emptied
his revolver, which contains six chambers,
and then went TO the rear end Of the lot,
where he reloaded 1t and shot himself
twice. He was removed TO his mothers
house, q short distance above here, where,
/ believe, he died an hour OF two later.
III have never had any serious trouble
with my husband, but / believe he was
Jealous OF me. but never thought, although
he had been drinking heavily lately, that
he would attempt TO take my life
After the fatal shots had been fred the
injured man was taken to his mothers
house where Drs. IL. s. and l.. W. Lindley
attended him. Both bullets entered the
head an inch and balf apart. II was i'm
possible to d. anything for the suicide, and
he died two hours later. The weapon used
was -. caliber revolver containing six
chambers, and the owner for some time
| post has been carrying IL in addition TO a
| lumber Of extra cartridges.
| The first shot fired by Zehner took effect
/ is his wife's wrist, the bullet coming out
through her hand. The next shot lodged
| In the yail and the third entered Mrs
Zchner'B arm. OF the other three shots
fired one passed through Mrs Rape's hand
| Mr.. Rape, whose wife was shot, said that
| If he had been homo at the time he might
| have received one Of the bullets, "a Zehner
seemed. determined to exterminate the
entire family. His intoxicated condition,
however, prevented him from carrying out
4
| his purpose.
| Mrs Zehuer IL daughter Of Mrs. Adam
| Michley of Zelienople, who was in the
house at the time the shooting occurred.
| She said they had trouble ever since her
son-in-law had begun TO neglect his bust
ness and wanted 10 go to farming
| The suicide two years ago with his
brother. in. law, Mr.. Rape, kept general
| store ut Perrysville lie was also engaged
t.Lf
| After leaving Pcrrysville he started con
fectionery and bakery at the terminus Of
the electric road in tho Tenth ward, Pitts
burg. He applied for a license bat was
refused and this Is thought to have been
one Of the causes Tor the attempted murder
and suicide.
Joseph Keating, the proprietor Of the
well known hostelrie out the road, was seen
last night and said"
"Only yesterday | was talking to Zehnei
at the car. He said he WAS on his way u
the city TO close deal for garden farm
at Uites station. | told him il was rather
late in the season for gardening. and hs
said he had TO do something to make ends
meet. To-day he said, Il have given uI
my store and tho only thing that botheri
me Is that my wife does not want to 90 OF
farm. When got home my wife TO Il
ue tuhL MIS-. IsHucI anu ncT Two CulluTef
had gone 10 Pcrrysville. | always 70 unC
Zehner TO be kind and afIectonat'
husband"
Mr.. Heating or pone of the neighbor
could be found TO verify the charge o
jealousy which Mrs. Zehner believes TO b.
the main cause Of the tragedy.
Mrs. Zehner is about 80 years Of age
while her husband was about 20 years old
| He waa buried at XeljenOule Suuda
afternoon.