Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-08-27
WooED DBATH TOGETHER.

l
Louis Hammond and his bride
Kathryn, ofDes Moines, Iowa, came to
Baltimore from New York Monday
with the avowed intention of dying
together by their own hands. Satur-
day afternoon their bodies were found
| in room at the American House,
death having resulted from morphine
| poisoning.
1t was clearly case of double sui
eide, and one of the most remarkable
ever recorded, characterized by COOL
ness and premeditation, and having
unique features, for before the attempt
ing to emo their lives they signed their
names to letter addressed to the coro-
ner, telling him what they contem-
plated, and why they sought self-de-
| struction.
On Tuesday they took chloral, but
neither died. 1t is supposed that they
took an overdose, which occasioned
nausea and saved their lives. The day
following they made second at
tempt, and on this falling Mrs. Ham
mond swallowed morphine, while her
husband stood by and waited the re-
suit. She died at ten o'clock that
morning.
Then Hammond endeavored to kill
himself. He took morphine, but this
failed to do its work. Then he drove
hatpin several inches long into mis-
breast until he could move his heart
| with it; but this too, failed again to do
| its work. He locked his dead wife in
the room while he went to purchase a
revolver. He died some time Thursday
night. 1t was probably the chloral and
morphine which caused his death, as
the revolver was found with all its
chambers filled.
From Wednesday morning until
Thursday night, by ingenious plan
ming, he managed to keep the hotel en-.
ployes out of the room, and remained
with the body of his wife without any
one suspecting that crime had taken
place.
Just before he died he wrote COM
plete account of how both he and his
wife had taken their lives, not omitting
the slightest detail. In the other letter
which both signed, they informed the
coroner:
sour money is low and we are tired
of the grind We have 70 friends
who need be notified, or who would re-
spond if notified. We have but one re-
quest to make, and that is that we be
not separated. Wear man and wife
and wish to take our rest together. If
the sale of our,few belongings will sut-
fee, we should be glad to have you see
that we have not the pauper graveyard.
No doubt some undertaken will take
charge of us for the advertisement, and
a grass plot can be purchased. We will
do the rest. From our slight store Of
money please pay our hotel bill of 81
and express our regrets to the landlord
for the sad necessity which caused us
to inflict ourselves upon him. Thank
ing you in advance for your kindness,
and asking the reporters to be lenient,
we remain, very truly yours"
Mr. and Mrs. Louis Hammond were
married in Lynn on the evening Of
Monday, August 5, by Rev. George W.
Osgood. From Mrs. Osgood, wife of
the clergyman, it is learned that Ham
mond came to her home on the morn
ing of that day, and stated that he de-
sired to engage the service of Mr.. Os-
good to marry him that evening.
When evening came Mr.. Hammond
arrived with his bride, prepossessing
young woman, apparently about Is or
20 years of age, whom he introduced as
Miss Kathryn NJ. Sawyer.
While Hammond was absent secur-
ing his marriage license from the city
clerk Miss Sawyer, in conversation with
Mrs. Osgood, stated that she belonged
in Newark, N. j., and was one of the
Oldest of family of eight children. She
had been at work in New York city,
and there met Hammond, who was a
travelling salesman for jewelry firm in
the West. The young woman said her
parents were both alive.
The couple were married by Mr.. Os-
good, Mrs. Osgood being the only wit
ness, and they took their departure.