The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-09-04
AND TWO INTO HIS OWN
In the Presence of His Wife He Be.
sought Mrs. Pullen to Fly With
Him---Horrifed, She At
tempted to Flee When
He Fired
(By the Associated Press.)

New York, Sept. 2-Henry Townsend
Edison, son of former Mayor of New
York, Franklin Edison, in his apartments
at 292 West Ninety-second street, today
shot and instantly killed Mrs. Fannie
Pullen, of 673 West End Avenue. and
then shot and killed himself The murder
and suicide appear to have been premedi
tated and followed a dramatic scene, in
which Edison called upon Mrs. Pullen, a
close and honored friend. of his wife and
family, to desert her husband and chill
dren and fly with him to another State.
Mrs. Pulen, a very handsome woman, is
said to have been the daughter of
United States naval officer.
The double tragedy brought to the sur
face the fact that Edison, who was
comptroller" of ST. Michaels Protestant
Episcopal church, had been suspected of
Incorporating funds belonging to the
parish, and expert accountants are at
work On his accounts. 1t was declared
by these related with the family that
Edison was financially distressed because
of Wall Street speeulations.
Whatever may have been the precise
cause. for the tragedy, members OF the
Edison family insist that the man was
insane. There are many indications that
Edison was madly in love with Mrs.
Pullen. On the body of the man was
found the following letter:
Mrs. Pullen: Darl1ng-Trust John I'M
plicitly. He will always be a go-between
and faithful. l know him thoroughly.
He will tell you where l am waiting for
you, to see your sweet face once more
before 1 go. / am going far, far away,
but will die true to you, no matter how
long 1 live l shall lead new life, and
an honest one, and if L can ever come
back to you with my past cleaned up,
Will. dearest. Oh, my God, let me see
and speak to you once more. / cannot
go until you do. 1 hope and pray that
you put in today's (September) personal
Any way | answered it in tomorrow's.
hape you see it. L cannot sleep 1 can
only pray and pray that you will come TO
me once more. Surely you will after ell
you have been to me In the past ten
years. You do love me, darling; l know
you do. Come to me once more, darling,
if only to say good bye. shall wait
here until you see me no matter how
long. John will tell you my hotel name.
Ask clerk for me-"
The following personal was published
in morning newspaper yesterday:
.''B. LOYAL-Nothing in answer to mes
sage; be good to me; worried about you;
send work today: just as true to you rs
always; with love-"
The following, evidently a reply to the
foregoing appeared this morning:
'-FANNY-I am loyal and true; can
not go till l see you; trust John; he will
tell you where | am; with love-
These are believed to be the two per-
sonals referred to. DR.. Peters, of st.
Michaels' church, who knew the dead man
well, is emphatic in his declarations that
none but the most honorable relations
existed between Edison and Mrs. Pullen.
She was, he said, Edson's friend and adj
wiser
Mrs. Puilen lived with her husband,
n F. Pullen, an auditor at the Grand
Central Station, and her two children,
Traitor, 16 years old, and Mary, IA years
old.
The Edsons were to break up their
home this morning. as result of an
agreement, articles of separation having
been signed the night before.
The life of the couple had not been
happy. Edison had been acting in a pc
cular manner. For that reason furni-