The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-11-17

AnNo NtN oWn noNN-h VIZ 'ches SIS
the Death or the Other wems- sad ths
Murderer n Question efs Few Hours O.iy,
EJNIRA, Nov. 19.-Martin V. Strait, a -four
and feed merchant and q well-known man OF
this city. this afternoon shot his wife and sister
in-law. Mary +. whitford. and then fred three
bullets into his own body. Mrs. Strait died at 2
o'clock this evening, Mrs. whifTord lie sinking
rapidly, aud Mr.. Strait Is unconscious and hi,
death Is but q question Of a few hours.
Martin v. strait and William whitford mar
ried sisters Of the name of Zero, who lived in
Watkins, N. Y. AS Tar as known they lived
happily together in a modest little house at 1o4
East Hudson street, the two couples occupying
the same dwelling. A few weeks ago wbitford
and his wife had some disagreement about
property matters and he left tho house. She
then caused his arrest on the charge of falling to
support her, but there was evidently no ground
for the accusation, and the ease never was tried,
the couple making up and Whitford returning
to his home. This was the start of the trouble
which caused the shooting to-day, for 1t was
not long after that Strait and his wife fell out
over the arrest. and as a result they parted. lie
charged that his sister-in-law was ut the bottom
OF II. Once the estranged couple became recon-
cilod. but soon the old trouble broke out Rfresh.
and again Mr.. and Mrs. strait separated. The
husband was anxious to patch up a second peace,
but his wife steadily refused.
This morning strait sent her n note by n mes
scngcr, directing the boy to wait fdr an answer,
but the boy returned with wcrd that the woman
simply said there was no answer. That evil
IDENTIFY settled affairs in Straits mind. He pur-
chased two new 3S-calibre reviewers and loaded
all the hambe This afternoon he met tho
two women In the business part OF the city and
quietly followed them a, they passed across the
riyor hriSro tn.war tlair hama T,st arroaa fha
river Strait met ar acquaintance. with whom he
stopped and conversed. lie acted in a very
nervous manner, and oil the time kept his eyes
on the women. The man. knowing the couple
had trouble and noting Straits queer behavior,
resolved TO watch them, but his attention was
called away for n minute and strait quickly
slipped around the corner the women had
turned and hurried after them. They were
within 100 feet OF their home and the angry
husband had got within a few feet Of them
when, without "a word Of warning. he whipped
out one of his revolvers and began firing. He
first fired twice at Mrs. whitford ,one bullet strik-
ing her in the back, and she fell to the sidewalk.
Mrs. Strait turned with a scream and her hus-
hnnd began a fusilladr at her, firing six times,
three OF the shots taking effect In her back
and passing clear through her body. =,
strait, having einpticd one revolver. produced
another, and turning IL on himself endravored
to put a bullet in his heart, but he was excited
anu NERVOUS. u MS MIN ~ ppDT. u sue
cecded in placing the three bullets in his side,
and then he sat down on q horse block and
looked Mt the two women lying prostratc before
him.. A crowd began TO ssenDl but no one
cared to approach very close, as he still held q
smoking revolver in his hand. Notin. this
Strait shouted: Come over: there are only
three OF u.s. The wCincn were carried into the
house, and strait walked into a separate apart
on n lounge, where the poles found him.
"Gentlei ien." he said TO the police, "f can't
go with you, for ! have three bullets In my
He was perfectly calm ant cool. and talke ell
as unconcernedly as though speaking about tks
weather.
lam sorry l did it now" he added, when
pressed for his reason for the shooting. but
they drove me to it."
Later Mrs. Whitford and Strait were taken to
the Arnot Ogden Hospital. but Mrs. Strait was
not moved She was shot three times in the
back. the balls lodging IN the abdominal cavity
and base Of the lungs. She died At 7 o'clock THIS
evening. Mrs. Whitford was shot twice. one
ball piercing the arm md lodging In the posterior
spinal column near its base. She is still alive,
but sinking rapidly. The murderer retained
consciousness for several hours. lie graphically
described the murder 10 the District Attorney.
lie Is now unconscious and death is but a Ques-
ton OF a few hours.
All the parties arc middle-aged and compare
lively well to do. Strait has been conducting n
small but prosperous business. and has been q
well-known and respected man. For the last
three weeks he has been writing his wife letters,
in a vain attempt to settle their differences. ard
the trouble so preyed on his mind rs to make
his actions noticeable To his acquaintances. lie
all his troubles, and repeatedly asserted that
she was doing all In her power 10 keep his wife
and himself apart, Acquaintance nfthc couple
have known Of their differences. hut the hus-
band has always borne the reputation of being n
mild nnsred, inoffsnsive man, and no such
serious result was anticipated by any one.