Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-24
INSANELY JEAL Gus
August Shafer on That Ac-
count Commits Murder.
KILLS DIVORCED WIFE
C0RONER HoLDs HIM FOR ACTION
OF GRAND JURY.
Story Of the Crime as Told by tho Wit
naeses-The Prisoners
Admissions.
KILLS DIVORCED WIFE

II never thought would come to this
was the remark made by August Shaffer.
Saturday night, just after he had killed his
divorce wife by cutting her throat with q
razor. His act was just as much a surprise
to the friends Of his family as it was to
him, for in his younger days he had been
taught to live properly. The young mans
crime was committed while he was in
condition bordering on insanity. In addi-
ton to being intemperature, he was in
sanely jealous of the mother Of his two
children. who had obtained divorce from
him about three years ago. The deed was
committed at 4th and H streets northwest
little before D o'clock. Shortly before
Shaffer entered a saloon in the neighber-
hood and ordered settler and lemon. re-
marking:
you don't often see me in this condi-
tion.''
Shaffer, who was a skilled laborer
in the government printing office, is
thirty-nine years old. and lived at 7l3
marriage to Miss katherine Ivey. daughter
Of Charles G. 1vey, former bookkeeper at
the National Bank Of Washington. and
later connected with the Lincoln National
Department and lives at 739 4th street His
daughter lived at home after being sepa-
rated from her husband and her life was
taken but a short distance from the family
nome. An eleven-year-old son OF the
couple. who has been living with his father
at 3O7 9 street northwest, is at present with
relatives at Beltsville. Nd. and the daugh-
ter, who was given to the mother by order
OF the court, Is at the summer home of St.
Johns Church Orphanage. They will be at
their mothers funeral, which will take
place tomorrow. The funeral will be strict
ly private.
The rrtsopar u,oS r@ofooro rl,ad ,ya,tordoy
at headquarters. and Photographer Johnson
also took a picture Of the place where the
woman was murdered.
This morning at IL o'clock Coroner hewitt
held an inquest at the sixth precinct sta
tton- There was a large crowd of curious
people and a number of friends of The pris-
oner In attendance. Two brothers of Shat
fer, who had been with him some time since
his arrest. were present at the inquest.
There was no counsel in attendance. Shar-
fer was held for the murder and committed
to Jail.
The Testimony Submitted.
Lewis Holmes. Frank J. Donnelly, Chas.
C. Langley. John Holmes L. L. Pitsnogle
and F. g. Donaldson composed the jury.
The first witness called was an elderly
colored man named Samuel w. Savoy,
whose home is at No. 5 Majors court
Where were you Saturday night about
$50 o'clock? the coroner asked.
1 was going down 4th street near Mas
sachusetts avenue on my way to Washing !
ton street"
The witness said he stopped when he saw
a gentleman and lady standing near a tree
Il don't know what made me stop" said
the witness II don't think the gentleman
saw me-"
Witness said he had been there only a
few seconds when he heard the man say
Kate, it's my time and my chance, now"
AS he made the remark he grabbed the
woman about the neck with one arm and
ripped her throat open with a razor held
In his other hand
Witness caught hold of the man and told
him he could not go and the latter said:
amt going nowhere
All the woman uttered was "Oh God
help"
Witness detained him until the arrival
OF Fireman Sullivan, when he (witness) told
him what Shaffer had done. The latter he
said: pointed to the woman's body and re-
marked:
That's my wife; she's done me dirt"
Foreman Sullivan Sworn.
James A. Sullivan, the foreman Of fire
company. was next sworn. He said he was
walking south on 4th street near Massa-
chusetts avenue about S:45 o'clock when he
heard woman scream. Looking across
the street he saw the woman fall. He
crossed the street and the colored man
pointed out Shaffer as the perpetrator Of
the crime.
Witness inquired of Shafrer: ssD;d Won
do tllis?''
His response was:
Yes, and I ought to have done It years
ago"
Witness suggested that shaffer was a
cold-biooded man and his response to this
was: "She did me dirty
Witness said that Shaffer was wiping
blood from his hands and he detained him
until the arrival of the patrol wagon, when
he turned him over to Policeman Hanley.
A young man named John B. Norris went
to the engine house at witness suggestion
and telephoned for a policeman. Norris
also found the razor.
John B. Norris, 4O1 H street, was asked
II he knew anything about the crime.
This man." he said. referring to Shaffer,
had been hanging about 4th and H streets
for nearly a week"
Witness said he was seated on the porch
In front OF his house at the time the homi-
eide was committed, and he told OF the
assistance he rendered, and said he got the
razor from man who picked 1t up.
He was standing near the corner about
O'clock" said witness. Tuesday, when
I saw him near my fence said to my wife
that was going to find out what he was
doing there so much. and Saturday night
found out"
Witnessed the Homicide.
Edward Douglass, TAO Sd street north
west. testified that he was seated on the
fence inclosing the parking about forty
feet from where the. crime was committed.
Il heard the lady scream" he said, land
I saw the man. but could not tell what he |
did: I did not know until I went over |
there" |
Witness then went to DR.. Butts drug
store and asked that a telephone message
be sent to the police. He also asked for |
doctor. He said a young couple came along
Massachusetts, avenue just after the muir |
der was committed. The man left his COM
panion and struck Shaffer. The young lady |
became frightened and her escort left |
Shaffer and went away with her.
Mrs. Mary e. Hoy. 404 Massachusetts |
avenue. was seated on her porch when she
saw Shaffer and his divorced wife meet.
She saw the man raise his hand and heard |
the woman scream. She started to the wo.
mans assistance. but could not get out OF |
the yard as the gate was fastened
Identities Shaffer.
I've been annoyed by . man lettering |
about there for fhA Inst fhrao vnolra - .x,A