New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-05
SHE TOOK TWO TO DEATH.
MOTHER KILLS HERSELF AND HER LIT
TIE DAUGHTERS.

Because Of a quarrel with her husband, Mrs.
Johanna schnng committed suicide in her
| home No. 305 East Eighty fourth ST, yester-
day, and at the same time asphyxiated her two
daughters, Gertrude. ten years old, and Edna.
eight years old. From letters left by the
woman. there is little doubt Of deliberate sui
| eide and double murder.
For eight years the Schilling family has lived
IN this particular fiat. Besides the mother and
two children. there the husband. Otto
Schilling a tailor. now employed at Amster-
! dam-avc. and One-hundredth st. Their reputa-
ton with their neighbors was Of the best, and
they lived happily. to all appearances.
II seems however. that outward appearances
were deceptive for a quarrel broke out in the
family week ago yesterday. When the hus-
band returned home on Sunday morning week
ago he had words with his wife and, some Of
the nelghbors say. made accusations against
her The details Of the trouble not known
Mrs schilling visited lawyer. and on his adj
vice went 10 the Harlem Court and asked for
warrant for her husbands arrest. Magistrate
Crane granted IT.
When Otto returned from work Monday
night he found court officer awaiting him
with the warrant. The husband was so fright
ened that he bounded up the stairs and escaped
over the roofs The officer did not pursue him,
and his wife learned that he had taken refuge
with friends She evidently had not foreseen
this complication. and the failure Of the hus-
band to return worried her greatly. She kept
her own counsel however. and the children
were instructed to remain within doors as much
possible.
Robert Kaufman and his hrother-in-law. An
thony Schmidt live in the fat just across the
hall from that occupied by the Schng family.
Yesterday they talked over the unfortunate
quarrel between Schilng and his wife, and
were still discussing It when Mrs. Kaufman
called to her husband and told him she wished
he would do something with the gas, as II was
leaking so as almost TO drive her out Of the
kitchen Kaufman and Schmidt investigated
and traced the escaping fluid to the Schilling
fat Looking through the transom they saw
that all the openings had been carefully closed
with paper and they broke In the door. Going
TO the rear bedroom they saw pitiful spectacle.
Lying at full length on the bed was the body
Of Mrs schilling. Beside her in haf-reen
posture and clasped by one Of the mothers
arms, lay the body Of little Edna. 1t was hard
70 say whether the mother had sought TO caress
her or was desperately carrying out her deter
mination TO take the children with her.
Gertrude had evidently tried TO get out OF the
room Her body found lying face down.
ward near the doorway. She had fallen against
the corner OF a sewing machine. and there was
trace OF blood on II where she struck.
Looking about. the two men found several
sealed letters a table. They were addressed
TO relatives and friends. and each had the house
number written plainly. Acting upon his first
impulse Kaufman called IN boy and hurried
him with the letters TO the persons designated
One letter was addressed 20 the husband
Schulng was among the first 10 respond
When he realized the full extent Of the tragedy
he was overcome. In German he accused him
self and turning he sought In agonizing tones
10 explain that IL was their first quarrel and he
had hoped every day that ID would be adjusted
In her letter 10 him Mrs. Schilling wrote that
she forgave him for what he had done and
asked him 10 forgive her.
I'VE have been too hasty." she wrote and IL
was so lonesome here. ! take all the blame. /
was always your good wife. otto. and love
you dearly. God forgive US. Goocoy. Your
loving wife"
II was necessary to take the stricken rather
from the place and 10 watch MIN closely. as ne
was in desperate mood and II was feared he
might attempt bis life.