Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-02-16
TO-DAY'S TELEGRAPHIC NEWS
Duestroy,s Crime Eypiated.


UNION, Mo-, Feb. 16.-Arthur Dues
trow was executed in the Jail yard here
at o'clock this afternoon. The crime
for which he paid the penalty was the
murder of his wife and only child, q
boy aged Is months, at four o'clock, on
the afternoon of February 13, 1894.
For some time the millionaire medical
student had lapGod from duty to his
young wife and was spending much
time and money upon an inmate OF
disreputable house. On the day OF the
tragedy he spent several hours at the
house of his mistress in drinking and
from there went direct to his home. He
had an engagement TO take his wife
sleigh riding and when he drove up to
his door Mrs. Duestrow sent servant
to inquire if she should prepare for
ride. Duestrow was intlamed with
drink and made motion as If to
strike the girl. He staggered up the
stairs, where his wife met him. III
you want to strike some one, Arthur
said she, "strike me-" Gall right, l
WILL" he said, and struck her blow
that felled her, and drawing pistol
fred two shots into her body. For a
moment he seemed TO realize the enor-
mity of his crime. He kneeled beside
the dying woman and in maudlin tones
called her name. Receiving no reply
he grasped his child, who had been a
spectator of the murder, and holding
the shrieking babe by one arm to the
wall, fired shot into its brain. with
the smoking pistol in his hand he ran
| into the street and surrendered to po-
liceman who had been attracted by
the shooting. The servant girl was a
witness to the scene and it was her tes-
timony that convicted Duestrow. From
the day of the tragedy until the drop
fell to day notable legal battle has
been fought by Duestrow's attorneys to
save their client from the gallows.
The hanging was witnessed by about
one hundred persons, the majority be.
ing physicians, newspaper men and
deputy sheritfs. Late Yesterday even
ing Sheriff Puchta asked Duestrow II
he wished to see minister or priest.
The murderer turned away with the
sneering reply: 81 have no use for
them"
He arose shortly after o'clock and
then, for the first time in three years,
he broke down and his usual air OF
naughty indifference gave way to one
of despair. He begged the guards to
save him from his fate and requested
that messages be sent to Governor
Stephens interceding in his behalf.
The murderer partook of scanty
breakfast and when it was finished
threw himself on his cot and gave way
to a burst of tears and cried out fire.
quently; "Oh God this is terrible" He
appealed to the deputy sheritls to pro.
cure him bottle of brandy, but the re-
quest was not granted. 1t would have
been his first drink since the day OF the
tragedy had it been given him.
About 10 o'clock Duestrow had be-
come composed and repeated his re-
quest for brandy and Sheriff Puchta
ordered that he be given drink OF
liquor. He asked Duestrow if he
would like to make any disposition OF
his body before he died.
II have no request to make what
ever" said the prisoner coldly and with
some dignity. Later the sheriff took
Attorney holland to Duestrow and the
latter recognized him as one of his
counsel. 81 have come to see you
about the disposition of your body"
said holland. 1.-The government wants
il and your sister also makes request
for it,"
Duestrow denied the existence of his
sister and would not discuss the matter
further.