Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1896-06-25

WICHITA, Kan, June 22.-A terrible
double tragedy occurred in this city
yesterday, the sequel of three sensa-
tions, all happening in this county
within the past year. o. &. Hart,
farmer of this county, shot and killed
his wife, Ida Hart, at a boarding house
on North Main street, where he had
followed her from their home in Sum
nydale, finding her in company with
a man named Link Pitts. After kill
ing his wife, Hart blew out his own
brains with revolver. The circum-
stances leading up to the tragedy are
as follows: On the morning OF Maya
Link Pitts, who then conducted a
creamery at Sunnydale, was found ~
ing in his bed, apparently stupefed
from effects of chloroform. His wife
was under the influence of drug and
in critical condition. The day pre-
vious Pitts had been to Wichita,
where he cashed several hundred dol
lars worth of checks for the neigh
bors, who were furnishing milk for
the creamery, and this money was
missing The house was torn up as
though burglsrized and everybody be-
lieved Pitts story to the effect that he
had been robbed. In few days, de-
tectives discovered that Pitts had
bought the chloroform, and he con-
fessed and restored the money. On
June Pitts returned home, and
informed his wife eXcitedly that
he would have to flee the
country, as Hart had found him
with his wife. Pitts fled, but the
neighbors did not believe the report
he started, as the Hart family stood
very high in the community. 1t was
soon confirmed, as Hart brought suit
for divorce, alleging adultery, and
naming Pitts as correspondent. The
wife filed a cross bill, but before the
date for che trial reconciliation was
effected, and the suits withdrawn.
Yesterday it came to light that Pitts
had kept up correspondence with
Mrs. Hart continuously since that
time.
1t seems that Pitts arranged with
Mrs. Hart to meet in this city Satur-
day evening, and sent her telegram
over the signature of one of her rela-
tives here, asking her to come to
Wichita, as her friend, Miss Edith
Mueller, was lying at the point of
death and wanted to see her. Mrs.
Hart left for Wichita on the morning
train Saturday, but the telegram did
not disarm her husbands suspicion,
and he concluded to follow her. He
bought a revolver and started on a
hunt for his wife. lie sue
ceeded in locating their rooms
and found his wife there, but
Pitts had fled. A few minutes
later Mrs Hart screamed and shouted
for the police. Four shots were fired
in quick succession, and when the
door of the room was burst open by
the police they found the husband and
wife lying on the floor, dead. A note,
signed by both, was found, which
gave the following explanation for
the rash act: ITO parents, or whoever
it may concern:-Know yo that we,
the undersigned, are tired of life, and
have agreed to put stop to it. We
sincerely ask and request that we be
buried together. A good-by to all
20 Il, HART.
IDA HART.
The signature of Mrs. Hart to this
remarkable agreement is not believed,
by those familiar with her handwrit-
ing, to Oe genuine. II she signed the
instrument in good faith she weakened
when the test came, as occupants
of the building heard her call for
the police. Both the husband
and wife are highly connected, as is
also Pitts. When the divorce proceed
ings eere pending Mrs. Hart claimed
that Pitts had hypnotized her. She
stated that she loathed the man. but
that when in his presence she was en-
tirely under his control The police
are searching for Pitts.