The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-03-08

WALLA WaLLA, March Especial. IA
horrible murder and suicide occurred this
morning at 6:30 o'clock, when Theodore
Hertz shot his wife four times, then
killed himself. Hertz went to the house
of his sister-in-law, Mrs. Kellen, on Alder
street, and called his wife out. They
walked to the alley, talking to each other
when suddenly he drew revolver and
pointing it at her fired, the shot entering
the left side Just below the nipple, passing
entirely through the body and coming out
at the back. She then turned and started
to run away. when he fired two more
shots. She fell forward on her face, when
he shot again. Hertz then turned the
pistol toward his throat and fired bullet
into his head, which did not kill him. He
then pulled knife from his pocket and
attempted to stab himself; then ran across
the railroad track 200 yards. placed the re-
volver to his left side and fired. falling
over on his right side. A boy was sent for
Sheriff Mcfarland, and he and Coroner
Blalock repaired to the scene. The
woman was picked up, placed on wagon
and taken to Pickard's undertaking estab-
lishment. Undertaken Pickard and Sheriff
Mcfarland then went to the place where
Hertz was lying, picked him up, placed
him in buggy and took him to Pickard's,
where he died a few minutes later.
The cause of the horrible deed was do
mestic trouble. Hertz and wife were
married two years ago in France, and
shortly afte-ward came to Walla Walla.
About two weeks ago Mrs. Hertz re-
ceived a letter from the East, informing
her that her husband had wife and five
oh u,h q
had deserted about two years ago. Acting
on the advice of friends Mrs. Hertz
decided to leave her husband, and went to
live with her sister, Mrs. Kellen. Last
week Mrs. Hertz sent her brother-in-
law to the house which she and her hus-
band had been occupying, after her trunk.
Upon Keilen putting in an appearance
Hertz ordered him to leave the place.
He refused, and fight ensued. in which
Hertz received a knife cut in the face.
Kellen was arrested and fined $50 and
costs. Since that time Hertz has been
endeavoring to peruade his wife to return
and live with him, but she refused to do
so. On Saturday Hertz went to kellen
and said he would give him 500 if he
would persuade his wife to return to his
house. kellen refused TO do SO, and
hlertZ went away, swearing NeHStduCc
against his wife and Kellen.
1t is reported by those who have been
acquainted with the couple that they have
never lived happily together; that the
woman was notoriously unfaithful. Hertz
claimed that she would receive men at
home when he was at work in the day
time. 1t is also reported that since she
left her husband she had been keeping
company with several young men about
the city. Hertz was about 10 years of age
and his wife 80. They had no children.
Hertz was q sober, industrious and hard
working man, while Mrs. Hertz assisted
her husband in earning living,
doing washing and general housework.
By their united efforts they had saved
up $3.50, which was deposited in bank to
the woman's credit. This she drew out
Saturday, intending to return to her home
in France on Tuesday. Mrs. Keien, the
murdered woman's sister, is prostrated
with grief.
An inquest was held in Pickard's under
taking establishment, and the jury re-
turned a verdict in accordance with the
facts. After the inquest the bodies were
prepared for burial, after which the doors
were thrown open and the bodies viewed
by large crowds of men and women. Dur
ing the afternoon the mans corpse was re-
moved to the residence of his sister, and
the woman's taken to her sisters home.
Both will be inferred tomorrow.