The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-07-01
Murder and Suicide on Main Street
Last Night.
MISS LOUISA PETRl WAS SHOT DEAD
w. A. King, Her suitor and Slayer, Then
Sent Two Bullets Crashing Through
His Own Head.

4 tragedy occurred last night about 11:15
b clock in hallway of the lodging house
BIT e0s1a Main street, Miss Louisa Antoin-
Atte Petri, the proprietress of the house,
*syas shot and instantly killed by W. A.
king, who has roomed at the place for the
sbast eighteen months. The man was in
.taneiy Jealous and being enrased by some
II ction or remark OF the young woman, he
:brew thirty-elght cnliber Smith Wesson
Revolver and fred point blank at Miss Petri,
HE bullet entering the neck just below the
|&he woman fell dead the murderer took
sftep backward and placing the revolver to
Lis own head fred two shots in quick sue
5ession. Both bullets entered the head
hist above the right ear, ranged upward
md passed out near the top of the head.
SH Miss Petri was handsome blonde "A
Hears Of age and was born in Dusseldorf,
Germany. Her parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
Petri. reside at Rutledge, Texas, near Aus
I'm. Her mother is postmistress at Rut-
E1edge. She came to Houston from Fort
North about two years ago and was high
4 III recommended as desirable tenant py
4troninent citizens of Houston who knew
nc family to which she belonged She
Mas very particular as to the character OF
6ersons who obtained lodging in her house.
King, who is a former employe of Will
Hams, DIESEL & Gardner, in the capacity or
( ybrchasng agent or statesmen, has for
inbg time been desperately in love with his
I 1ahdady and she received his advances
With more or less indifference. She tolerat-
ia him and they were apparently fast
friends. Knowing the Jealous nature OF
| the man. many of the roomers at the house
Dre dlcted the tragedy which occurred last
mint. King is a man about 30 years OF
cne and was alleged to have been very
fdierulous and quarresome. He had been
neard to threaten the lives Of persons con-
neeted with Miss Petri's household. He had
also threatened often to Kill himself.
#& KING WAS TACITURN.
For the past week King has been working
: III the vicinity of Waller, Texas, and re-
4thrned home Saturday afternoon. Last
}nieht he accompanied Miss Petri and Mrs.
NV w, Kierans the latter also having
,,r6bms at the Petri place, to the entertain
,sraent at the Auditorium. Mrs. Kierans sid
S9taleI did not act strangely. but was extremely
!. xtaIif and tacitarn. When they returned
Name and were ascending the stairway
ms Petri asked him If he desired some
!. St,pper and he gruffly replied in the mega
tue, Mrs. Kierans proceeded to her rooms
ana moment later passed by Miss Petri's
roSm and asked her II she desired some re-
a \ 0xxx6shments. King was standing in the door.
Wv of the narrow kitchen and both he
slnnd Miss Petri politely declined, Mrs.
'eJierans returned to her rooms and mo
.. nent later three or four shots rang out,
-sfMrs. AlthoG, who rooms across the hall
rway, ran to the door and saw Miss Petri
Elying In a pool of blood on the floor anu
King with appraised pistol in the act of
oni,,c>glng out his brains.
s. Is, The tragedy created CONSERVATION ard
,uDhc report was quickly known on the street.
0srlcers Parker and Horton, Gibbons and
$ Mel anahan were quickly ON the scene.
Dr.. Brumby arrived soon afterwards and
leFecognized King the moment be looked
lthim. II know him." said he. "He is
roam Tex patient of mine. | treated him for a
Severe case OF smallpox at the pesthouse
dsV4is TING hIO. Ile WIS out iuSIt luItS VI
,af;O4ig weeks" DR.. Brumby added that the
s..llglan had spoken 10 him of his sweetheart,
sdSken he seemed to idolize. and Miss Petrl
g na6 visited him at the pesthouse. King
JetAme morose and sullen because she
allied TO come out at another time during
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. and he exhibited his re-
Molxer, which he kept under the mattress
ovaying he was tempted to blow out his
SdsWn brains
Iilfs1he body of Miss Petn was removed to
ylhcSwestheimer undertaking establishment
--rhere 1t was viewed by Coroner Matthews.
rz3A7eral witnesses were examined at the
tcne of the tragedy and their evidence
n 6ndrmed the facts as above stated.
% IVShen questioned later by a reporter, Mrs
Kcrans stated that while they were Out
king had but little TO say, being IN q
ipouty" mood. as she expressed it. King
e<t the Auditorium once during the play
lyutk soon returned Thinking that King
keht be displeased because she had nc
ptepanisl them, she asked Miss Petit II
bat was the cause of his churlshess. Sht
III