The St. Louis Republic., 1900-11-16
Physician and Woman Whom He
Had Once Attended Were
AsphyNiated.
HUSBAND SCOUTS SUICIDE.
Declares the Doctor Taught His
Wife the Use of Opium-Vic-
tins Had Passed the
Afternoon Together.
REPUBLIC SPECIAL.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
New York. Nov i5.-Doctor Christian p.
Ahstrom and Mrs. Henry Gardiner. who
had been his patient, We're found dead this
morntns In the Boulevard Hotel. at Broad
way and Sixty-seventh street.
Gas was escaping from stove. and. al
though an Illuminating jet above the heat
ing apparatus was aiight, there had been
no explosion. This and the presence OF
poison in the physicians pockets gave rise
20 theory that the man might have pois-
oned the woman and then taken his own
life. Coroner yucca IS convinced. how
ever that the deaths were accidental.
Doctors o'Hanlon and Schultz performed
autopsies, which showed that death had
been Que solely 70 asphyXiation.
For Doctor Ahlstrum It was the end OF a
stormy career. He was of a good Swedish
family. and at one time stood high In his
profession. He became addicted TO the use
of morphine and drugs, ana of late years
had not been able to command a good prac-
tice. His wife died last February for lack
of medical attention. Doctor Ahlstrom lived
at No. IS West Siyty-fifth street
Afternoon Passed Together.
In the same apartment were a Mr.. and
Mrs Harry Gardiner. Gardiner is a race
track follower, who came to this city two
months ago from Chicago. He moved up to
No io9 West One Hundred and First street
several weeks ago because he was connect
ed with a poolroom in that neighborhood.
He ana his wife employed Doctor Ahlstrom
as their physician. aIrs. Gardiner burned
her face few days. ago through the eXplo-
sion of gas stove and Doctor Ahlstrom at
tended her.
She and the doctor entered a Columbus
avenue restaurant at l o'clock last Wednes-
day afternoon and remained there drinking
until nearly ) o'clock The physician then
went to the drug store OF $. Wyllie Holmes
where he had an account and borrowed %
cents.
He and the woman, then went to the Boul-
evar6 Hotel. where thay registered as John
Mullen and wife. The odor of gas was
traced to their room at 2 o'clock this morn
ing. The door was forced and on the floor
Of the apartment was found the dead body
OF the woman The man was lying on Inc
bed. The woman had. on her fingers and IN
her ears, jewelry valued at $500. Over the
chair hung valuable seaskin sacque.
Had Money in His Pocket.
In the pockets of the man who had only
Recently borrowed 10 cents was found the
sum of Si4. The doctor was identified by his
cards. The identity of the woman remained
{. mystery until late this evening. when
Gardner went TO the mCrgue and recognized
the body.
He said that he had married the young
woman five years ago. Her name Maud
Muller. and she was e native of Indianapo-
lis. He said that when fortunate In turf
speCuat!ons, several months ago. he had
purchased for her the iewelry and sealskin
sacquc. lie said also that last Wednes-
cay morning he had given her $50.
l. IS believed that the physician obtained
from the woman the money found in his
pockets and that the difference between the
original amount and the sii was spent riot
ousiy after the couple registered at the
Boulevard Hotel.
Gardiner took charge Of his wife's body.
He believes that Ahlstrom gained control
over Mrs. Gardiner by prescribing opium
Tor her.