Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-19
Edward D. Hays Attempts Murder
and Commits Suicide.
FIRESFOURSHOTS At HlSSWEErHEART
The Young Woman but Slightly
Wounded in the Leg.
THE CORONER'S ACTION

night Edward D. Hays, a young colored
man, shot his sweetheart, Mildred Robin
son, and then ended his own life by send
ing bullet into his brain. Five shots
were fired. four of which were aimed at the
girl and one at himself. The tragedy was
enacted in the home of the young woman's
parents. No. 1874 Elm street, LIE Droit Park
Hays was a son of the Rev. Daniel w.
Hays, who was formerly pastor of Asbury
Church. corner of 18th and K streets, in
this city. He now has charge of a Balti-
more church and lives at No. 5O7 West
Lanvale street, In the monumental city.
The young man had room and
boarded at No. $40 LIST street south
east. and had been visiting Miss Robinson
since last Christmas, when he was intro
duced to her by one Of his college associ-
ates- An improper demand made by Hays
was refused, 1t Is said and for this reason
he attempted murder and committed sui
eide
Henry Robinson and his wife, parents of
the young woman, always regarded days
as perfect gentleman. He was so well
acquainted with the family that he always
made himself perfectly at home when he
called. Frequently he was invited to dine
at the house and the invitation was usually
together and cai.ed on friends, as well as
going to places of amusement together.
Made an Afternoon Call.
Early in the afternoon Hays called on
his sweetheart at the home Of the latter
sister, where she was visiting. and went
with her to her home on Elm street Just
before supper time he left the house, but
returned shortly after Z o'clock. Mrs. Rob-
inson was called away from home to a
lodge meeting, and when she left the young
couple were in the dining room with her
husband and some of the children. AS
Hays did not expect to see his possible
mother-in-law again last night, he told her
goodbye when she went out. Mr.. Robinson
is hard-working man, and when 9.o'clock
came he told Mildred that he thought he
would 60 to bed.
mother comes homer he asked Mildred.
who was seated Eear the table glancing
over a paper.
Il don't know whether 1 am or not was
the response.
IF you are" said her father put some
coal on the fire and keep the room warm"
Although Mildred says she really had no
idea of remaining up so late, she put a
little coal and kept up the fire. Her sister
Mary left the room soon after the father
retired, and went up stairs. Then Mildred
and Edward had the parlor to themselves
and what afterward occurred no one but
Mildred can tell. He had talked improper
ly to her on previous occasions, she says,
and when he renewed such conversation
last night she told him she thought it was
about time for him to depart. Finally, as
he pursued the subject. she got up and said
she was going up stairs to bed.
Told Him to Go Home.
1t was then later than he had ever re-
manned before, Mildred says, and she was
anxious for him to go. and told him so.
"All right he said to her, I'll go, but
you must come outside the door with me- -
Il can't go out 'front.' the young woman
explained, because my parents don't like
me to stand out there talking to you"
Then" he added. lets go out in the
kitchen and get drink
1.-THE best thing for me to do" said
Mildred. lis to go up stairs and go to bed. -
Saying this. she added, Good night" and
started up stairs.
Il don't know whether you will get up
stairs or not" said Hays, as he drew his
revolver from his pocket.
Mildred was then part Of the way up the
steps and two shots fired at her struck in
advance of her, but the third shot sent a
bullet into her left leg near the knee. Then
he fired the fourth shot, which missed her.
Her agonizinS cries doubtless caused him
to think he had inflicted fatal injury.
The Fatal Shot.
Turning toward the door, he DISCHARGED
the weapon again, sending the last bull.
let crashing through his skull. A few heart
beats and all was over. Just about the
time he fell. MORALLY wounded, Mildred
fell in the door leading to the back room
on the second floor.
Hays has shot me-" she gasped and her
sister Mary helped her to the bed. The
aged father, who had been aroused, was
soon in the room. He wanted to go down
stairs and make an investigation, but his
children pleaded with him not to GO fear.
ing that Hays was there waiting to kill the
first one who descended the steps. The
doors leaClng down stairs were fastened
and Mr.. Robinson went to the front win.
dow AID blew his distress whistle Police
1 man Stahl, who was on his way home al
the time, heard the alarm and went to the
house.
He heard from the upper window only
part of the story of the tragedy and asked
that the door be unlocked. Mr. Robinson.
carrying lighted lamp in his hand, start
ed down the steps, expecting at every step
to meet the man who had attempted to
take the life Of his daughter. But as he
| neared the front door he saw, as lie OK
presses 1t, the man in a heap, with the
revolver in his hand"
Patrol Wagon Called.
Policeman Stahl telephoned for a patrol
wagon, and In a few minutes the one came
from the eighth precinct.
Policeman Girard, who is a physician.
was in charge of the wagon. He saw that
| the mans life was extinct. and he devoted
his time and attention to the wounded wo-
man. There were no surgical supplies in
the patrol wagon, but the officer managed
to make a temporary bandage for the
wound, and then took the woman over to
Freedmens Hospital. Her wound was
dressed and she was returned to her home.
In the meanwhile, Mrs. Robinson had re-
turned home from her lodge and had
passed through the hall without noticing
| the dead body of Hays on the floor behind
! the DOOR The sight of policeman IN The
| dining room, however, frightened her and
she was soon in condition 10 need the scrv-
| ices of d doctor. When Coroner Carr lad
| been consulted about the case he ordered
4 the removal of the dead body to the
morgue. and today he gave a certificate OF
! suicide.
| The Body at the MOrgue.
Today a large number of persons calico
! at the morgue to see the body, many of tht
! callers being personal friends of the Hay.
| family. Superintendent Schoenberger Of
| the morgue searched the dead mans cIothe.
| and found only two cents in money. There
! were also bone collar button AMI pas.
! book in his pocket. In this book Hays hac
written
| Please notify d. w. Hays, 5O1 LanvaI.
/ street, Baltic, Nd"
The finding of the book with this instruc