The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-08-03
Had Murder in His Heart

move ne was about TO make. and finally
called to Miss Auguston, the sister-In-
law, to come to him.
Had Murder in His Heart.
The girl started for the room In an
effort to gain time. Mrs. McCaslin called
to her sister; Make some lemonade for
joe"
oh, you needn't be in a hurry" ex-
claimed McCaSlin. at the same time
picking up the pistol The girl reached
the door. McCaslin held the gun be-
hind him.
For Gods sake. run for your life"
cried Mrs. McCaslin. and as Miss Au-
custom rushed out of doors. the plucky
little wife grabber her husbands arms.
A struggle Tor possession of the wealNa
ensued, and ended VIGOROUSLY for the
woman. the crazed husband being so
drunk that he could not. in spite of his
great physique. throw aside the frail
little figure. She grappIed with him
until the gun fell on the floor. and by
sheer force she pushed her big husband
across the room and onto d sofa. where
he lay in a groggy. half-conscious state.
After sending the weapon and ammU-
milton to neighbor Mrs. McCaslin
commenced to coax and plead with her
/ husband. She begged him to stay home
and let her nurse him through the
: spree, but he sullenly refused, saying
he had too much to do down town.
Found Note
| It was at this time that Mrs. McCas-
/ lin found in her husbands pockets a
note, unaddressed. which read: IF
there is anything left after all my debts
are paid, pay it to my ex-mistress and
/ boy"
| This was written at time when he
expected to kill his present wife and
baby. and the "ex-mistress and boy
referred to are his former wife and an
| S-year-old son by his first marriage. He
never called mis- life partner Wife but
when referring TO either his first or
/ second wife, used the term mistress. :"
Mrs McCaslin once told her attor-
neys, Powers. Straup & Lippman.
whom she engaged to protect some
property she claimed her husband was
trying TO get from her, that she was
afraid her husband would murder the
entire family. but the attorneys consid-
cred her fears unfopnded, Twice after
Efetr strugS1e fof The 7possession of Gis
pistol, McCaslin visited his house Last
4 Thursday morning at o'clock he went
there to change some clothing, and Mrs.
McCaslin tried to get him to stay, but
he left with the threat on his lips TO
return and kill everybody.
Wife Was Frightened.
| NAAN Dc hiOIG dIIcT
this than she had ever been. When
McCasIin went to the house Friday, she
ran into a neighbours place At this
time McCaslin told his mother in-law
that she had better bid farewell to
! everybody and he made a search for
his wife, but did not find her. This was
the last time he was seen before the
tragedy by any member of his family
The above is Mrs. McCaslin's story OF
her domestic Unhappiness. 1t was en-
tirely due to drink, she says, and al
though the awful deed of her husband
: is preying upon her mind and heart
her friends say that his removal from
her life was the best and only way ou
of "a life which he had made a hell"
Mrs McCaSlin was asked as to the
statement of her husband that she haC
deceived him. She explained that on,
day early in the week. while dowT
. town, she met a former music teacher
and walked down Main street with him
l talking about quilt she was going t
| rattle during the Elks convention. He
: husband saw them together, AM
claimed to believe that she was untru
{ to him, although his accusation, sh
believes. was not sincere. On no othe
5 occasion was Mrs. McCaslin ever seel
with a man since her marriage, accord
ing to her statement.
The widow is left in a most pitiabi
! plight. She has no means of supper
( for herself and daughter.