Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-01
A SUNDAY TRAGEDY.
Howard Schneider Kills His Brother
in-Law and Fatally Wounds
HIS BRIDE OF A FEW WEEKS.
A Clandestine Forced Marriage That Has
Wrecked Family.
THE CLIMAX OF A BAD YOUTHS CAREER
,srrcr.1 TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH,

WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 5.-Howard
j. Schneider tonight instantly killed his
brother-in-law, Frank Hamlink, and fatally
injured his wife, The tragedy occurred on
the street between Sixteenth and Seven
teenth streets shortly after O'Clock.
After the shooting the murderer walked
leisurely to police station No. 8, at Twen-
tieth and X streets, northwest, and surren-
dered himself He is now in confinement.
Some time ago Schneider took Miss Amy
NJ. Hamlink out riding. He drove to
Hyattsville, Nd, just outside of the Dis
trict OF Columbia. When he arrived there
he informed the young lady that he had de-
termined to marry her, and un-
less she consented to have the
ceremony performed at once he
would kill her and commit suicide.
The young lady, seeing that he was serious
in his intention and not knowing what else
to do, accompanied him to the house of
justice of the peace Schneider had pro-
yided himself with marriage license, and
the two were married.
The Marriage X .pt Secret Awhile.
They drove back to Washington and
agreed to keep the marriage secret from
the girls father, Colonel Hamlink, well
known and well-to-do citizen. Amy con-
fided the secret to her sister Jenny, and the
latter some time after informed her father.
Colonel Hamlink was at first indignant.
He knew that Schneider had bad reputa-
tion, although we'll Connected He drank
hard, and had been engaged in several dis
graceful scrapes However, he concluded
that he could not improve matters by op
posing the marriage, and had Schneider
come to the house and take up his residence
there.
The couple occupied an upstairs room
and lived together until two weeks ago.
The father saws Schneider was abusive and
ill-treated his wife on several occasions
during the short time they lived at the
house. He finally ordered Schneider to
leave the house and never again to mo,est
his daughter.
Bound to See His Bride.
The Hamlink House is at 1873 @ street.
Schneider's family, who are well known
and highly respected, live in the same
block. The discarded husband soon disre-
garded the order he had received from Col.
Hamlink, and began to annoy, his wife
with notes surreptitiouslr delivered. 1t is
not known whether sne replied to any of
them, but to-ds- ne sent several notes ask
ing her to meet him, to which she returned
no reply or else declination.
AT o'clock this evening Mrs. Schneider,
accom- panied by her sister Jennie and her
brother Frank, aged 81, left the house to go
70 church. They had reached a point op-
posite 1877 @ street when they met
Schneider. He approached his wife and
said he wanted to speak to her just what
conversation ensued is not known. Mrs
Schneider endeavored to avoid a converse
tion. They started to pass him when
Schneider suddenly drew a revolver and
opened fire.
The Murderer a Good Shot.
Frank Hamli nix fell dead from bullet
that passed straight through his chest
Schneider then emptied his revolver at his
wife. One bullet struck her in the right
side, another near the left side, and third
entered the abdomen. Jennie Hamlink ran
back to the house screaming murder" and
escaped. 80
AS soon as the deed was committed
walked to the police station and
himself He informed the Of
fcers at the desk that he had shot at a man
on G street in self-defense.
'Did you hit him?" one of the officers
asked.
81 don't know whether 1 did or not, was
the reply.
Schneider was as calm as though nothing
had happened, and obediently followed the
turnkey to the cell in which he is now con-
fined. Mrs. Schneider was carried to her
parents home and a physician summoned.
She was conscious, but in too great agony
to give an account of the tragedy. An ex-
animation of her injuries convinced the
physicians that her case is hopeless She is
about % years of age and an attractive
woman.
Young Man, but Bad One.
The murderer is not yet 80 He comes of
an eminently respectable family and fol-
lowed the calling of an electrician. His
brother is a well-known architect A new
model Merwin, Hubert & Co. IS srevolver, 38 |
caliber, with five empty shells, was found in
the street near the scene of the tragedy, and |
is supposed to belong to Schneider.
Schneider met Jennie Hamlink on the |
street, several days ago, and threatened to |
cut her throat for having informed Colonel |
Hamlink of his marriage to her sister. Last |
Day he wantonly shot an in
offensive old man who had climb ed into his |
brothers. buggy while it stood outside a
livery stable and seriously injured him in
,he leg. He was arrested and is now under
3, 900 bonds for that offense. The mur-
lerer was visited by his brother tonight.
He refused to make any statement