The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1904-07-23
MURDERS WIFE
AND DAUGHTER
Board of Trade Dealer at
Buffalo Then Shoots Him
self in the Head.
WRITES LETTER TO PARTNER
Missive Is a PitifuI Appeal to His
Friend to Forgive His Rash Act,
Requesting Lenieney in Judgment
and Declaring Repentance.

Buffalo, N. Y, dispatch: One OF the
most shocking tragedies that ever oc-
CURED In this city came to light Fri
day when the dead bodies OF Edgar T.
Washburn, member of the grain
firm OF Heathfleld a. Washburn on
the board of trade; Washburn's wife
and his daughter, Gladys, Is years
old, were found in bedroom Of their
home at SO Putnam street. this city.
Mr.. Washburn had shot and killed
his wife and daughter and then turned
the weapon upon his own head and
killed himself
II is believed the deed was commit
ted while Mr.. Washburn was suffer
ing from fit OF insanity. He had
written a letter 10 a relative recent
| ly saying he was having troubles in
| business. AS far as is known the
members of the family had not had
any trouble among themselves.
Spend Night in GsyetyS
| Thursday evening was spent by the
Washburn family at the house of a
neighbor. There was music and
games and all the members of the
Washburn family appeared in a joyial
| mood
| A letter written by Washburn to
w. G. Heathfield, his business part
ner, was received at the latters house
during the day. In this letter. which
was very long, one could read the in
tent to commit suicide, but no refer
| ence was made to his wife or daugh-
| ter
The letter made numerous refer
ences to things going wrong in differ
ent business affairs. but Mr. Heath
| field said he had been unable as yet
to look into the matters referred to.
that while some Of their business
deals had not been successful, yet on
the whole their business had been
| profitable
He said he did not know whether
Mr. Washburn had any separate bust
ness deals outside OF the firm.
"Mr. Washburn and | have been
| in business since Jan !, 1900" Mr..
| Heathfield said. IL never saw any
| thing that would cause me 10 imagine
| such a terrible act on his part. He
was 40 years old and his wife was
some years younger. He had one son,
DR.. Il. r. Washburn."
Kills Wife and Daughter.
The tragedy was discovered by
relative who called at the Washburn
house shortly before noon. When the
| police arrived they found Mrs. Wash
burn and her daughter lying dead, side
| by side, i'm bed and Washburn was
dead on the floor at the foot o: the
bed. Evidently Washburn shot tie
girl first as she lay i'm bed. When
Mrs. Washburn aroused by the shot.
partly raised herself In the bed Wash
burn fired the second shot. the bull
let entering the woman's left temple
and causing instant death. Washburn
then picked up a mirror and, taking
aim. shot himself in the right temple.
The news OF the tragedy had the
effect OF practically closing the Grain
Exchange for the remainder OF the
day.
Letter Is PItiful.
Washburn's letter to his partner
was most pitiful. II said in part
II am about 20 take step which
will be a severe blow to you and to
all who have ever held me in regard
and esteem. | have striven hard to
make success OF life here, but there
seems TO be something that forever
upsets my plans. | have hoped that
might succeed in business, not SO
much that craved the money for
selfish purposes as that might do a
good work in the world.
DO not think feel that | am get
ting off easily. My belief In a future
life teaches. me that must suffer un.
told agony, but | am blight upon
these whom | love and upon those who
love me and IL seems best that |
should drop out or the lives OF ali OF
earth's children and perhaps some
time. somewhere in the future, may
be permitted TO work myeelf into a
niche in life where | may be able to
atone for my errors.
BE lenient with me. for love you
as a brother. and II had 10000 lives
| would give them all to save you
from the pain and misery that you
must suffer through me-
1T grieves me to lose the esteem OF
my associates and II there is anyone
whom have wronged Il has not been
intentional and | hope that they may
forgive me as they would be forgiven.
for I am sincerely repentant OF any
wrong that have done"
Bush Fires Cause Much Loss.