Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-10
Wife's Belief in Husbands
Desertion Causes Suicide.
PATHETIC INCIDENTS
LEAVES MUTE WITNESSES OF IN
TEGRITY AND HONESTY.
Mrs. Katherine Hansen Found Dead In
Room Which Was Filled With
Illuminating Gas.

The dependency Of a wife who believed
she was deserted by her husband is the
only plausible motive up to this time ao-
yanced TO account for the suicide OF Mrs.
Katherine La Morritte Hansen. Her dead
body was found yesterday afternoon at her
home 1888 Both street northwest. but 1t is
the general belief that Mrs. Hansen's death
was accomplished by the ala Of illuminating
gas more than week ago, or Immediately
after the disappearance of her husband,
Karl Hansen. He rendered his resignation
as deputy United States marshal Of the
Georgetown district July 81. since which
time his whereabouts have been unknown,
so far as the friends of the family are con-
cerned.
The discovery Of the remains of the I'M
fortunate woman was made yesterday
Two ladies, one an acquaintance of Mrs.
Hansen, visited the Oak Hill cemetery yes
terday afternoon to decorate the graves or
several loved ones with flowers. AS the
Hansen home is located within sight of the
gate of the burial grounds 1t was suggested
that they should visit Mrs. Hansen on their
way to the cars. The electric button on
the side of the door frame was pressed
several times and the bell was heard to
the visitors detected an unpleasant odor
emanating from the door and noticed that
the ported plants on the stoop had EVIL
IDENTIFY not been watered for several days.
What the Neighbcrs Said
Failing to hear any one moving about the
premises, the two ladies inquired as to the
whereabouts of the Hansens. The oc-
cupants of the adJoining house were not
well acquainted with the Hansens and bad
seen neither Mr.. Hansen nor his wife for
more than a week, and expressed the BE-
lief that she had gone elsewhere to i've
Had it not been for the strange odor lSsu-
ing from the door. which was only per
ceptible at close range. the visitors would
have been satisfied with the explanation OF
the absence Of Mrs. Hansen but in view OF
the mysterious atmosphere about the prem
iseS they advocated a further inquiry.
About this time Policeman Brown of the
seventh precinct station was seen coming
up Goth street. The two ladies acquainted
hin. with the seemingly mysterious disdp-
pearance of the Hansens and was asked to
make a further investigation. Upon re-
porting the facts at the station house
Policeman Brown, accompanied by Lieut.
John A. Swindells, in command of the pre-
cinct, Sergeant Schneider and Bicycle
Officer Fur, returned to the Hansen resi-
deice.
The outer or storm door was found to be
unlocked When it was opened the officers
detected escaping gas. CONVINCED that
something was wrong, Lieutenant SWindells
ordered the inner door. which was securely
fastened to be forced open. This was
quickly accomplished and the officers set
about to find the jet from which the gas
was flowing. All the fixtures on the lower
floor were found to be in perfect condi-
ton, and the windows of that floor were
thrown open. The searching party then
went upstairs. Upon gaining the top OF the
steps 1t was discovered that the gas came
from a door at the extreme rear of the
hallway. Entering the officers beheld the
lifeless form of the unfortunate woman
lying across the bed, clad only in under
garments In her right hand was the end
OF a rubber tubing which extended to a
nearby gas jet. The jet was wide open, as
was another fixture in another part of the
room.
Mode Of Suicide.
The position of the right hand showed
that the tube had been held in her mouth,
and that when she became unconscious 1t
slipped down upon her breast. In order
that the gas might not escape. and thus
perhaps thwart her purpose. the unfortu-
nate woman chinkcd the crevices OF the
windows of the room with blanket, the
only ingress of fresh air being the narrow
space under the door.
The body. as stated. was in bad state
of decomposition. and when the officers
opened the door they were driven back by
the stencil and gas. Policeman Brown,
however, succeeded in gaining an entrance
and opened window. AS he did SO ne
was somewhat frightened by two large
cats, the pets Of the dead woman, which
sprang from beneath the bed to the top
of the dresser and then dashed out the
open door. The pets, ever faithful TO their
mistress, who, 1t Is thought, intended that
they should die with her. could not be
kept away from the premises. and were
found in the dead woman's room this
morning.
AS soon as the room had become sufh-
GENTLY aired the officers began a search OF
the entire upper floor. The dead woman
clothes were found in the front room. and
on a table near them lay an open Bible.
The leaves opened to view contained the
nineteenth chapter of St. John, relating
to the crucihxion of Jesus. Near the holy
book also lay two flaps of envelopes On
one was written: Il cannot live without
you," while the other read: ut Is useless
to search for friends l have none, nor
relatives
Neither of the notes bore on address,
but in view of the fact. that her husband
recently disappeared. it is thought that the
first was intended for him. Several other
private papers and letters, some written
by her and other addressed to her, were
also found
Tied to a note addressed to "Offut. 30 N, -
was a small ladies' watch. Beside the
watch lay bill for $16.17 from Qfutt, tire
grocer whose establishment Is located at
32d and streets. 1t was the intention, it
Is believed, of the woman to settle this dept
with funds derived from the sale of the
watch That the unfortunate woman wished
to maintain her honor to the last was fur
Their demonstrated by a note incloSlng a
small brooch, set with three diamonds. ad-
dressed to Mr. Shoemaker, friend of her
husband and a member of the Miller Shoe
maker Real Estate Company. She was
aware, it is said, that Mr. Shoemaker had
advanced her husband money and evidently
that it should be returned in this manner.
Note to Justice Paine
Another note addressed to Justice of the
Peace Halbert E. Paine. under whom MIR.
Hansen served as deputy marshal, has an
important bearing on the case. July 81 it
was learned, Mrs Hansen called upon MIR.
Payne at his home and inquired as to the
Whereabouts of her husband, saying he had
not been home. Hansen received his pay
for the month of July that day. Mrs. Han
sen was very disconsolate. 1t is learned and
expressed to Mr.. Payne the belief that her
husband had deserted her. Mr.. Payne had
not seen Hansen since early in the day, but
it is understood, comforted the woman by
inviting her to call at his Office the next
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