Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-10-05

At three O'Clock this morning, NJ. F. Dryden, atorney-atlaw, and for
mcry NJ E. minister, was shot through the heart by his fatherin-la"'
Thomas Workman, and instantly killed.
The tragedy was enacted at the home of the victim att No. SO North
York street 1t vas the outgrowth of a long period Of abuse Of n dead
mans wife. The immediate cause was the scene which was reveae to I'M
fathers eyes, when he opened the door of the Dryden home, and found his
daughter o her knees, With her husbands fingers cruelty cutched about
her throat.
crazed by the sight, the father drew a revolver from his pocket standing
almost close enough to touch his victim, and fired one shot the bullet pass
ing through the heart and causing instant death.
Abuse of Mrs. Dryden has been an old story in the household ut NJ
patient wife has refused to live apart from the husband of her choice
Dryden W as drinking yesterday, and after partaking OF supper NJ
started to quarrel with his wife. This continued all evening, and it appears
that the husband worked his anger up to such a point that it caused
Thomas Workman, fatherinlaw Of Dryden, lives in the same house.
When his soninlaw became ill he consented Ito go to an Island pharmacy
for medicine. He returned about three o'clock. Workman heard sup
pressed groans before opening the door of the house.
When the door swung back the sight which was revealed vas sucn
as to temporarily madden the devoted parent His daughter as or her
knees. Drydens face as Hid with rage, and his fingers were cutched
about the throat of his wife.
Workman whipped a 80 car5re revolver from his hip pocket, pulled the
trigger and the bullet entered Dryden's breast passing through the hear
Drydens fingers relaxed their grip o n the throat of his wife and he fell
over and died without saying a word. Workman took his wife, and Mrs.
Dryden, hers n Homer, aged a. and a daughter aged -, and all went to
the residence of Franz Laupp, four or five doors north. There they awaited
The arrival of the officers,
Meanwhile DR.. E1er and several others living in the neighborhood,
entered the Dryden home, and found the victim of the awful tragedy, his
body leaning against the WALL his head bent forward, and resting upon the
first step of the hall stairway. He a beyond medical aid. The body as
carried into a bed chamber o n the second floor.
Mrs. Dryden was Frustrated and could say nothing to the friends who
assembled about her. All the members of the family were similarly. af-
feded.
information about the tragedy ws telephoned within a few minutes to
police headquarters, and Chief Cemans, Lieut.. Myers and two officers hast
encd ito the residence in the patrol wagon.
Workman was sitting upon a bench on the front porch Of the Laupp
residence, calmly awaiting the arrival of the police, and evidently feeling
Justified in having taken the law in his W hands. a Register eporp
asked him if he had anything to say.
mo, it's too soon to say anything now. am not ready TIC ak was
his reply spoken with a air Of calm resignation.
Workman "a taken to the City Building, and at the OF OF gong 10
press is befngd detained in the private office of Chief CRmans.
Workman is tall slender, With gray mar Dearu III mustdche, dl
about Y years of age. He is a bricklayer by occupation, and is well known
throughout the city.