The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-22
MISTAKES HIS WIFE
FOR A BURGLAR,
Mrs. Virgie Parsons Dies From
Pistol Wound Inflicted by
Her Husband.
FIND WOMAN LYING ON FLOOR.
Neighbcrs Testify at Coroner's In
quest That Quarrel Over Pnr-
chase of Rugs Preced-
ed the Shooting.
FIND WOMAN LYING ON FLOOR.

Mrs virgie Parsons was shot and fatally
injured by her husband. S. A. Parsons. in
their home. No. sl9 Winstanley avenue,
East St. Louis. shortly after midnight yes
terday morning. She died at 6 q. m.
Parsons asserted at the Coroner's inquest
yesterday afternoon that he had shot his
wife, installing her for burglar. Neigh
bors say that they heard the couple
quarreling for an hour after Parsons came
home. The police arrested Parsons and he
is held pending the result of the Coroner's
inquest. which was continued until this
morning
Parsons Is a switchman. but for several
months has been running poker and craps
game in the saloon at No. 1853 Broadway.
He left there for his home Monday night
about $50. and arrived home about 1880
p. m.
Because of a burglar scare early In the
evening. Mrs. Parsons had locked the doors
and windows OF the house. and Parsons
had to knock several times before he
aroused his wife. After entering his home
Parsons and his wife had some words
about couple of rugs which she pur-
chased from a vender. According to the
neighbors. the couple quarreled for over
an hour. At 1890 a. m. the shot was heard.
Mrs. Sarah ]. Barry. who lives next door
and who had heard the Quarreling. rushed
to the Parsons home. She found Mrs. Par
sons on the floor near the window in cor
ner of the room and Parsons was standing
in the doorway. He was half dressed and
NEIGHBoRS ARE CALLED.
Mrs Barry. realized that Mrs. Parsons
bors. who had gathered round by this time.
to send for a doctor. She then re-entered
the room and asked Parsons what he had
have sso my to 1 MrS BaT he 5Psa
cried to her husband You have killed me
Send for mother. Mrs. Barry and Parsons
Parsons was too nervous and 1t was neces-
sary for the neighbors to assist Mrs. Barry.
Doctor r. F., Stanton was summoned and
he called in Doctor A. c. Housch. The
risk an operation.
After the shooting Parsons went to the
Relay Station and telegraphed his wife's
mother to come at once: that he had shot
his wife. He then went to the police sta
tion. where he told his story and returned
home. Policeman Kramer was sent TO in
sons.
AT the Inquest Doctor R. F. Stanton tes-
titled that Mrs. Gertrude Golding who &C.
cup!ed a room in the house, informed him
that Mrs. Parsons told her that she AMI
Parsons were in the same room when he
fired the shot. Parsons stated that he was
III tHe peuTOOm WnSn ne 0reu. In Mrs
ParSons's antemortem statement she told
Policeman Kramer and Doctor Stanton that
she had had trouble ever since she was
married to Parsons.
Parsons testified that he did not quarrel
with his wife beyond reproving her for pur-
chasing the rugs at what he termed was
an eNorbitant price He said that his wife
had told him about the burglar scare early
in the evening. and that when he heard a
noise In the front room he supposed that n
burglar was trying to get in and he fired
His wife screamed when he shot her he
says and told him that she was trying to
put {: screen in the window
HAD MUCH TROUBLE.
Policeman Kramer testified that he had
secured an antemortem statement from Mrs
Parsons. in which she said that she and
Parsons had had much trouble since their
marriage
The testimony of Mrs Golding was taken
while she reclined on a bed in Undertaken
Domhoffs stable. The excitement had
caused a slight historical attack and she
vate apartment in the livery stable. There
she was attended by Doctor Stanton who
advised that her testimony be taken from
there.
She said that she was awake when Par
sons came home. and that she heard him
talk with his wife about the price of the
rugs. and heard HIM say that Mrs. Parsons
would have to return them to the man who
sold them to her. Mrs. Golding was not
slept until Parsons knocked on her door and
called her. telling her to get up. that he
had shot his wife.
Coroner McCracken learned that there
were other witnesses. and they will be
heard this morning.