The Globe-republican., 1901-08-01
UxoRlclDE-s SUICIDE.
A Double Tragedy In Dodge city.

tol, shot and killed his wife and then
shot and killed himself, both dying in
stantly. Only few minutes before the
tragedy, Kirby purchased pistol at the
City Hardware Store. The pistol was
loaded with five shots. all of which were
discharged. Mrs. KIRBY was shot twice,
one shot striking her left side of fore
head, above the eye and one shot taking
effect on left temple, near the ear. the
balls passing through the head Kirby
shot himself III the head, the ball enter
ing at the right side Of the temple. The
fourth shot entered iIe ceiling. This
may have Seen the first shot fired; the
woman resisted and begged piteously for
her life.
Several persons were promptly in the
room soon after The shooting, which oc-
cnred in front basement room, occupied
by the family. The bodies were covered
with blood, and the pistol was found un
der kirby's hip. Life was extinct in
both bodies, except in Mr. Kirby's body
the muscles were twitching-
Mrs. Kirby had threatened to apply for
divorce, and had made preparation TO
go to a lawyers office, when Kirby fired
the fatal shot. She had dressed herself
in preparation for this move, and was
about to ascend the steps when her hns-
band fired the shot. The news of the
killing soon spread over the city and
many people bad gone to the hotel to see
the bodies, but the sheriff took charge,
and prevented the entrance of curiosity
seekers, awaiting the arrival of Coroner
Hollopeter, who came on the Rock Is
land at 3 80 p.
E. Kirby took charge of the Park
Hotel on February IL, last. and he was
doing a good business. Mrs. Kirby had
secured possession of the hotel property in
her own name under promise of staying
with her husband, and it is said that she
intended trying for divorce in order to
carry out the purpose she had boasted
of, that of making her husba nd ssdance
to her music,'' else finding home
somewhere else. Kirby about 40
years of age and his wife about 3s years.
Both had been married before, but this
was Mrs. Kirby7s third marriage. she
being divorced from her second husband.
They each leave a child, Cally Kirby,
age IS years, son of E. Kirby, and Mat
| tie, age II, daughter of Mrs. Kirby, by a
i former marriage Mr.. Kirby,s father
| and mother, made a home with him, and
were at home at the time of the shooting
The dinner had been prepared, and the
boarders and guests were going to the
hotel when the news of the killing had
| been announced.
ing of Il. E. French, w. F. Petition,
Frank Chapman, L. B. Rice. NJ. NJ.
Gwinner, 6. V. BARTLETT, and the bodies
were removed at 4 p. M, to Adam &
| Hulpieu's undertaking rooms.
| Undertaken Adam embalmed Mrs.
Kirby's body and Undertaken Coons
embalmed Mr.. kirby's body. The en-
balming of his body was difficult owing
1 to the seyering of the artery by the bull
| let.
Coroner Hollopeter held an inquest
| Tuesday morning. The jury returned a
verdict that the deceased persons came to
their death at the hands of Kirby.
/ Mr. Kirby, short time before the
| shooting, after the purchase of the pistol.
and while walking from Front street to
| the hotel in company with a boarder, talk
| ed with the man about land trade He
did not seem to be disturbed. Before
going to the basement, he talked to his
son. In few minutes the shots were
| heard, but the noise did not sound like a
gun shot explosion, and few minutes
| elapsed before those who heard the noise
realized that horrible crime had been
committed.
1t was shown at the inquest that five
shots were fired-the two first shots
evidently missing, one entering the cell
ing as stated above, and one shot unae-
counted for. The pistol contained no
balls when found. 1t was the last shot
with which Kirby killed himself His
dying last leaves question as to the
rights of the property, which falls to his
heirs-and both children will share alike.
The room was locked when entrance
was gained after the killing Mrs. Kirby
had a door key and a silver coin in hel
hand, when she was found dead. lying
slightly on The right side with face down.
wards.
The existence of a family feud was un-
known except TO a few people The boy
may have understood the situation,
when, after the shooting, in his frenzy,
: he said, clasping friend by the body,
ssOh, papa has killed mamma and killed
himself, but he is not to blame-.'
Kirby and wife were married about
four years, and came from Missouri
about three years ago. They made a