The San Francisco call., 1896-11-29
]. P. Kelly, the San lose Jeweler,
Who Fatally Wounded His
Wife and Shot Himself to
Escape Arrest.

Gus quarrels. Two months ago Mrs Kelly
had her husband arrested for disturbing
her peace, and only several weeks ago she
charged him with felony embezzlement,
alleging that he mad taken $75 worth of
jewelry belonging to her and kept it. The
charge was subsequently, dismissed. 1t is
said that on one occasion he chased her
from the house with revolver ana threat
ened to kill her. For the past week the
couple have not been living together and
the woman had taken steps toward begin
ming suit for divorce.
Mrs. Kelly had been occupying separate
apartments from her husband, in the Ray
mond lodging -house, over the store. This
morning the woman, accompanied by her
little daughter, left her room to go up
town. AS she started to pass the store her
husband called to her, She did not stop,
and Kelly stepped ont seized her by the
arm and dragged her into the store and
locked the door. he then told his wife he
was going to kill her, and drew revolver.
The frightened woman broke away and
ran to the back of the store, pleading for
mercy for the children's sake. The two
little children were in the store at the
time, and they ran about crying. Papa,
don't shoot mamma; don't shoot"
As the woman ran Kelly picked up a
revolver and fired at her, but missed. A
second shot struck her in the right shoul-
der. She then ran 10 the front door, and
there the wounds in the arm anu side were
inflicted. The woman fell, and Kelly,
procuring another revolver, fired several
more shots at her.
1t was then that Kelly took a razor to
cut the woman's throat He seized her
by the hair and slashed her neck on the
left side. She grabbed the razor.
Just then Policemen PrindIville and
Shannon arrived and tried to break in the
door. They were unable to do so. but they
broke the glass in the upper part o + the
door and began shooting througs. the win
dow and door a Kelly. Seeing the officers
Kelly picked up anotaer pistol from tn e
counter and started for the rear part O f
the store. As he ran he fired three shots
at his own head and fell in a heap. Two
we're only scalp wounds and the other en-
tered the temple, and will probably prove
fatal.
When Mrs Kelly had her husband ar
rested for felony embezzlement she toIt
the officers that she and Kelly had never
been married, but had eloped together
from Australia about eight years ago. She
said that Kelly had family in Melbourne.
This morning after the shooting she stated
that she and Kelly had been married by
contract nine years ago in Australia, and
that they were afterwari married bye a
Presbyterian minister in London.
Kelly made dying statement TO Dis
trict Attorney Harrington. He said he
was born in Alton, ILL.,, and was 81 years
of age. He said his wife sometimes went
by the name OF Mack against his consent.
Kelly has an uncle. NJ chael Kelly, and a
cousin. John Kelly residing IN Litchfeld.
Ill. By former wife he had two sons
and daughter One son died recently.
The other resides in San Diego. His name
is James Kelly. The daughter, who is
m married.to David MarchaI, also resides In
San Diego.
He said that at one time he was mem
Der OF the council al Omaha, and had been
Marshal of Leadville He affirmed the
story told by his wife about the marriage.
In Keliy's pocket was found letter ad-
dressed 10 a Mr.. Lewis, in which the
writer said he was tired OF life. He COM
planned that a man in San Diego bad
alienated his wife's affections.
Kelly claims that Officer Prindiville
shot him, but Mrs. Kelly says he shot
himself. Kelly was possessed of consider
able property, and this he left TO the two
small children. It consists of several lots
in Australia, one-half interest in I60 acres
near San Diego, and some stock in Lead
vile mine.