Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-06-26
Mrs. Mary Handley Sends a Bullet
Through Her Heart.
her MIND IMPAIRED BY LONG ILLNESS
The Act Evidently Determined
Upon Some Days Ago.
THE CORONER'S ACTION

This morning about o'clock Capt. Dick
lnson, who lives at No. $40 7th street
northeast called at the ninth police station
and reported the sudden death of Mrs
Mary Handley, wife of Edward Handley,
who lives at No. 521 7th street. 1t re-
quired but a short investigation to learn
that the woman's death was due to vio-
lenca She had committed suicide by send
ing bullet from heavy Colts revolver
through her heart. The causes which led
to the perpetraton of the deed make the
case peculiarly sad one.
A Confirmed Invalid for Years.
Mrs. Handley, who was upward of forty
years of age, had been a confirmed invalid
for several years, and her mind had become
impaired. She had been an energetic and
hard-working woman, and 1t Is thought
that she was rendered an invalid by over
work. On two occasions she was sent to
private restitution in Baltimore for treat
ment because of her mental condition. and
when she returned homa the last time she
seemed very much improved.
The marked improvement In her condi-
tion was very encouraging to her friends
and relatives, and 1t was hoped that she
would fully recover but last winter she
lost an interesting daughter, which proved
a serious blow to her.
Recently her condition assumed a marked
change for the worse. and when she man.
aged to go out on the porch she could get
along only with the use of crutches. Sew
erai times she was taken out riding by
Capt. Dicknsons family, but she always
had to be assisted to the carriage.
The Act Premcditated.
The in, aid evidently contemplated TAX
ing her life some weeks ago, for she re-
marked to a friend: II wonder if the Lord
will forgive me If take my life?"
faw ria ys pn ha had Misc Diclrfpsop
remove some goods in a closet, and in do
Ing so the young lady came across heavy
Colts revolver. about the danger of which
she made a remark
Don't mind that" she said to Miss Dick
inson, 'ft hasn't bee fired for ten years
and it won't go Off"
But Miss Dickinson preferred to take no
chances with the weapon and SO she put
1t back in the closet.
When this moving was done Mrs. Hand
ley evidently had suicide in her mind. for
the removal Of the goods left the revolver
where she could get 1t without any diff
Guilty. 1t was with this pistol that the
invalid took her life.
The Fatal Shot.
Mr.. Handley works in the government
printing office, and goes to work at 8
o'clock. He had left his wifes bedside and
gone down stairs to eat his breakfast be-
fore going to work, and was seated at the
breakfast table when he heard the report
Of the pistol.
Without u moments hesitation he rush
ed up the steps to where he had left his
wife, but when he reached there he dis
covered that his wife's agony was ended
She was on the bed, and the heavy pistol
was near her side. The bullet had passed
through her heart, and life was extinct.
Capt. Dickinson and members Df his fam
lily went in to render what assistance they
could, and, as already stated, the captain
reported the case to the police.
No Inquest Held.
Deputy Coroner Glazebrook was notified.
and after investigating the case he gave
certificate of death from suicide.
Undertaken Wright prepared the body for
burial, and the funeral will take place from
her late residence tomorrow.
The death certificate gives her age as
forty-seven years and her birthplace as
New York. She has lived here thirteen
years. 1t was stated that the bullet passed
entirely through her body.