Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-09-26
AnAccidental Discharge Today Causes
aDeath.
POOLING With A RUSTY PISTOL
Thought at First a Murder Had
Been Committed.
STORY OF Ely EWITN f S

What was at first reported TO be a de-
liEerate murder, jealousy being assigned
as tn. motive for the killing occurred d
few minutes after Z o'clock this morning
in the kitchen of the residence of Mr.. Geo.
n. Saegmuler, the well known manufac-
tLrer of mathematical Instruments at l3i
Maryland avenue southwest. Mrs. Har-
riett Williams, colored, came to her death
the result of a bullet wound, the mis-
si!e being discharged from a pistol in the
hand of Ida S. Chinn, colored. The killing
was witnessed by Alexander Byrd also
Coiored, ami the circumstances gave rise to
the runor that the two women had quar-
relied about Byrd and in fit of jealous
rago one had ended the life of the other
An investigation, however. soon demon
strated beyond all question of doubt that
the sad affair was an accident. pure and
simple. 1t was learned that the parties
mentioned were all employed servants
in the household of Mr.. Saegmuller
Mrs. Williams, the woman who was
killed. with her husband, has been in Mr..
Saegmul.ers service for twenty years, the
husband now having charge of and residing
on farm In Virginia, the property OF his
employer. Both Byrd and Ida Chinn have
been working at the house for some years.
and all were trusted and highly regarded.
The trio of servants were the best of
friends, and no trouble was known to eX
list between them at any time.
The Old Story.
1t seems that this morning. before the
Saegmu,ler family was as;ir, Byrd, Mrs
Williams and Ida Chinn were engaged in
their customary duties in the kitchen, 10
| Gated at the rear of the first floor of the
residence. Mrs. Williams had occasion TO
| pass through the adjoining room, occupied
| by Byrd. and noticing small pistol lying
| on a shelf she picked it up. more from curl
osity than any other reason and carried it
| with her into the kitchen.
rs this loaded?' Mrs. Williams asked
| Byrd.
| in my room for year more. IL is rusty
and no account now, j suppose.
! Thereupon Mrs. Williams pulled back the
hammer and tried TO snap ii into place.
| Il should think il is rusty" she remark
| ed. 1T won't go eff
Let NE try IT." suggested Ida Chinn.
pausing IN her work and reaching on; a
hand
Mrs. Williams promptly complied with
| the request. and almost as soon as the
| weapon came in contact with the hand of
| the younger woman. a report was heard.
| Mrs. Williams uttered a cry. c!asped her
ha nds to her heart and sank to the floor.
| Ida Chinn and Byrd. greatly startled ov. T
| the occurrence. FASTENED TO the front o!
| the house and notified Mr.. Sae gmuller OF
| what had hannened.
| Mr.. Saegmul'er proceeded at orce to the
kitchen. He at a glance that Mrs
| Williams was beyond all hope. and il is
thought that death was practically instan-
| taneous
The police were notified. and also the
J coroner. Ida Grimm was taken in CUSTODY
| 10y Policeman narrower and detained at the
| fourth precinct police stat on to await ac-
| tiCn Icy Coroner Ha-nmett. The BODY ci
| Mrs. Williams was removed to the moraue
| in the patrol wagon Of the fourth precinct.
| Her Stcry.
| 81 don't know how the pistol happened
| to go off, said the Chnn girl to Star re-
| porter at the station house. Mrs. VIII
| lams got a rusty pistol out of Mr.. Bvri's
| room ard brought il into the kitchen and
| cooked it. She couldn't get the trigger
| down. and l told her to let ME try. JUS
| as soon as it touched my hard II went off
| and Mrs Williams fell down | dill no;
think that the pistol was even loaded
Mr.. Saegmuller stated 10 the reporter thai
| no doubt exists tia; the killing was ar acc.
| cent. The servants, he said. had been VIII
| him for many years and they We're on IN.
| best of terms with each other The affai
| Was very quiet. and nothing was known o
| the killing outside the kitchen until Byr.
and Ida Chm notified Mr. Saegmuller o
| the occurrence
The bullet entered the left side OF Mrs
| Williams. jus: below the heart.
| Due TO Accident.
After investigating :he case this after
noon. Coroner Hammer. decide that In
death Of Harrie: Williams was due 70 al
accident and ne gave a cer,iisa 10 tina
| from custody.