The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-10-05
M. F. DRYDEN
FATALLY SHOT
THIS MORNING.
ais Father-in-Law Finds the Lawyer
and ex-Minister Brutally
Beating His Wife.
HIS INDIGNATION FINDS VENT
In Well Placed Shot That Entered
Dryden's Heart and Killed
= Him Instantly.

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Lawyer and ex-Methodlst Minister NJ.
I. Dryden, OF the Island, was shot and
Instantly killed this morning by his
father-ln-law. Thomas Workman, aged
seventy-two years. The father-in-law
entered the Dryden home at o'clock a.
m. and found Dryden brutally beating
his wife. 3 Without premeditation. Mr..
Workman, who Is mild hammered
man, pulled forth n thlrty-two callbre
Bull Dog revolver and taking steady
aim, fired. The ball sped true to its
mark. and Dryden sank to the floor be-
side his prostrate wife. dead.
1t seems that Dryden had been drink
ing heavily Thursday tight and
throughout the night and into the small
hours this morning he made frequent
assaults on his wife, and when not beat
ing her was quarrellng with his father
in-law. q
Finally, about2 O'clock this morning,
Dryden pleaded illness and begged his
1ather-in-law to go to drug store for
medicine. Mr.. Workman. while fear
ing for his daughters safety. left her In
tho care OF her mother, an aged woman.
and went to q drug store on the Island
as requested by Dryden. Securing the
medicine, he hurried back to the Dry
den home. which Is a neat cottage at 90
North York street. Island.
Nearing the house. he heard Dryden
shouting the vilest abuse at his wife.
The neighborhood was aroused, and at
many houses heads were stuck out of
windows. and the people were rapidly
nearing the point Of taking justice into
their own hands. and putting stop to
Dryden's disgraceful conduct.
1t was Just at this point that Mr..
Workman appeared on the scene, and
evidently the abuse OF. his daughter. so
often repeated, angered him beyond hu-
man endurance. The old man was seen
to run into the yard. and up the steps
into the front hallway.
Hall minute later single shot rang
out clear US bell upon the night air.
This was the signal for the appearance
of several men from the neghborhood.
and a few minutes afterward Policemen
Woods. Everett and Bickerton were on
the scene.
The scene when the spectators enter
cd the front hallway was n terrible one.
Mrs. Dryden was still on the floor, and
her dead husband partially over her
body. Mrs. Dryden's left sleeve was
torn OF from the shoulder down, and her
face and arm showed the brutal treat
rnent she had been subjected TO. Mr..
Workman stood over his victim, still
holding the smoking pictol Nearby
was Mrs. Workman. in q hysterical con-
dltion.
Soon the officers placed Mr.. Workman
under arrest and he was taken to the
home Of Mr.. Franz Laupp, the florist, a
few doors below. on North York street.
With him went Mrs. Dryden and Mrs.
Workman. also Homer Dryden, the
dead mans fourteen-year-o!d son, and
his twelve-ycar-old sister, who were
happily saved from witnessing the scene
in the hallway.
Chief Clemans and Lieutenant Meyer
went over In the patrol wagon, and
made an investigation. The body In the
meantime was moved upstairs to the
room usually occupied by Mr. Dryden.
There were no marks on the face, ex-
rept that 1t appeared bloated and the
features we're contracted as though the
man had been cut short in his earthly
career in violent passion. as was un-
doubtedly the case.
Mr.. Workman and Mrs. Workman
were seen by an Intclligcncer reporter
at the Laupp residence. but Mr.. Work.
man declined to talk. and prevented
Mrs. Workman from saying anything.
Mrs. Dryden, too. was unable to say
anything for publication. She was
prostrated. but was not aware that Mr..
Dryden had died. She was under the
impression that her husband was only
badly wounded.
While the chief and lieutenant were
viewing the remains. Homer Dryden
came UP the stairway. and was barely
prevented from seeing his dead parents
body.
Bl. F. Dryden was formerly Metho-
dist minister OF the gospel, and several
years ago was pastor OF the North
street N. F. church. His habits be-
came loose, In the drink habit
In particular. and he left the ministry.
Shortly nfterward he studied law and
was admitted to the Ohio county bar. at
which he has practicrd for several
years. His speciality was criminal cas-
es. and as pleader before criminal ju-
rles he was conceded to be a lawyer OF
ability.
Mr.. Dryden was frequently under the
Influence OF liquor and In n condition
unit to transact legal business. On
these periodical drunks he always abus-
ed his wife. On one occasion two or
three years ago. his father.in.law shot
him In the arm, but the matter was
quleted without legal proceedings.
The neighbors are united In stating
that Dryden gave provocation for tho
decd. and tell tales of his awful treat
ment OF Mrs. Dryden. who Is an cstma-
bic woman.
Mr. Workman was brought over to
tho city In the patrol wagon by Chief
Ciemans and Lieut.. Meyers 40 6