The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-09-09
DOUBLE TRAGEDY IN new YORK.
Son of a Former Mayor Of fhe
Metropolis Kills Another Mans
Wife and Then Kills Himself.

WHO ouu SNC1 sNaaiS sstHHSOh'
New York, September 2.-Henry
Townsend Edson, son of a former
mayor of New York, Franklin Edison,
in his apartments, at 292 West 92d
street, shot and instantly killed Mrs.
Fannie Pullen, of 673 West End ave-
nue., and then. shot and killed himself.
The murder and suicide appear to
have been premeditated and followed
dramatic scene, in which Edison
called upon Mrs. Pullen, aaelose and
honored friend of his wife and family,
to desert her husband and children
and fly with him to another State.
Mrs. Pullen is a very handsome wo-
man, and is said to have been the
daughter of United States naval Off
Ger.
The double tragedy brought to the
surface the fact that Edison, who was
" comptroller of st. Michaeps Pro-
testant Episcopal Church, had been
suspected of misappropriating funds
belonging to the parish, and expert ac-
countants are at work on his accounts.
It was declared by those related to the
family that Edison was financially dis
tressed because Of Wall street specula-
tions.
saaWhatever may have been the precise
cause of 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, signd
the night before:
implicitly. He will always be 60
between and faithful. I know him
thoroughly. He will tell you where l
am waiting for you, to see your sweet
face once more before I go. I am GO
ing far, far away, but will die true to
you, no matter how long live. 1
Shall lead new life, and an honest
one and if 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. I hope and pray that
you put in today's (September) per-
sonal. Any way, | answered it in to-
morrow's. [ hope you see it. | cannot
sleep. / can only pray and pray that
you viii come to me once more. Sure
ly you will after all you have been to
me in the past ten years. You do love
me, darling; l know you do. Come
tonne once more, darling, if only to
say goodbye. l shall wait here until
you see me, no matter how long. John
will tell you my hotel name. Ask
clerk for me-"
The following personals was pub
lished in morning newspaper yester-
day:
message; be good to me-; worried
about you; send word today; just as
true to you as always. With love-
The following, evidently reply to
the foregoing, appeared this morning !:
Fanny am loyal and true cannot
60 till see you; trust John; he will
tell you where / am. With love. I"
These are believed to be the two
personals referred to. DR.. Peters, of
St. Michael's Church, who knew the
dead man we'll, is emphatic in his
declarations that none but the most
honorable relations existed between
Edison and Mrs Pullen. She was, be
said, Edson's "friend and advisor. -
Mrs. Pullen lived with her husband,
| John F. Pullen, an employee at the
Grand Central Station, and her two
children. Trafton, l6 years old, and
Mary, IA years old.
The Edsons were to break up their
home this morning, as result Of
an agreement to sign articles of separa-
tion, signed the night before.
The life of the couple had not cen
happy. Edison had been acting in a
peculiar manner. For that reason
furniture movers were in the house
packing up furniture and bric-abrac.
Mrs. Edson spent last night with
her friend, Mrs. Pullen. She was
about to go out this morning, when a
note came from Edison, asking that
Mrs. Pullen accompany his wife to
where he was. Edison, his wife, Mrs.
Pullen and DR.. David o. Edison, a
brother OF Edison, met in Edson' s
home. During the conversation in the
dining room, Edson is said to have
turned to Mrs. Pullen and suggested
that she leave her home with him
and go to some other State, where
they could be happy. Mrs. Edison was
/ horrifed. Mrs. Pullen turned away
in disgust. DR.. Edison, after sharply
rebuking his brother, left the room
with Mrs. Edson, but both returned in
few minutes, when Edison again turn
ed to Mrs. Pullen and began to en-
treat her to elope with him. Mrs. Pull
len was horrifed at the suggestion and
possessed with fear of the man, ran
out of the room. Edison, however,
seemed to recover his self-possession,
and all went into the dining room
again. A very few moments after Mrs.
Edison, who was weak and trembling
from the ordeal, was assisted to an
other room by Edison. A moment later,
according to Woods, a furniture man,
working near by in the hallway, Ed
son pulled a revolver from his pocket,
and, pointing it at Mrs. Pullen,
shouted: You must go with me. If
you don't elope with me I'll see that
you 60 with me anyway"
In terror Mrs. Pullen started to run
| ero,,, tho won, Che had oone h11t q