Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-24
Double Tragedy Enacted in
Southeast Washington.
RESULT OF JEALOUSY
FINDS DEAD WIFE AND
HER SLAYER TOGETHER.
William Bottomy Kills Mrs. Mary =.
Scheitlin and Then Shoots
Himself.

as the result Of the alleged unfaithfulness
of a wife. following closely after some-
what similar case I'm West Washington. Ac-
cording to the best evidence obtainab bile IL
appears that Mary Frances Scheitlin. aged
thirty years, the wife of Rudolph B.
Scheitlin, employed an electrician In the
navy yard, was murdered I'm her home, at
80 9th street southeast, by William Bot
tony or Bottemby. thirty-eight years OF
age. who is said to have been frequent
visitor at the Scheitlin home during the alb
sence of the husband. After firing the fatal
shots at Mrs. Scheitlin from a 3S-caliber
bulldog revolver the murderer turned the
weapon on himself and committed suicide
by shooting himself through the right
temple.
1t was evident that death was almost in
Simultaneous in both cases. Two shots were
fired into the woman's head-one entering
Immediately behind the right ear and the
other in the mouth
The sight which met the gaze of the hus-
band when he entered his home late yes
terday afternoon. after leaving his work in
the navy yard, was grewsome one. Lying
on the floor of the parlor was his murdered
wife, while stretched at her feet the
murderer and suicide, Bottomy. With the
husband were several of hts fellow enl-
ployes of the navy yard who had come to
his home with him.
Detectives Investigation.
Detective Patrick O'Brien of hea dauarters,
who was assigned TO the case by Capt.
Boardman. made an immediate investigation
of the circumstances surrounding the dou-
BILE fatality. He learned that the murderer
was what is known bar-room singer.
and that he had been paying clandestine
vistssto Mrs. Schetlin for long time.
agaiKAt the protests of the husband. On
theJoccasion of his visits he always brought
liquor to- the house. and the two often In
dulged to the point of intoxication.
The husband. finding that his protests
against the visits Of Bottomy were without
avail. as he informed Detective O'Brien, he
leave her November l.. He added that he
had informed her that IL she preferred the
fellow Bottomy. with his ribald songs and
his strong drink. to a tr7Is and Industrious
time. Il
When Mr. scheitlin first entered his honis
about 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon and
saw Bottomy and his wife stretched out on
the door he believed they were both drunk.
He saw blood about the place. but decided
that 1t was the result Of the man and wo-
man falling or engaging in night. He
therefore went out to look for a policeman
to have them taken from his home. He
found Policemen Thompson and Price and
they went with him to the house.
1t was quickly discovered that a murder
and suicide had been committed Bottomy
was found with his head lying across the
woman's breast, and the police believe he
had placed his ear against her body after
shooting her to see If she had stopped
breathing before he fired the shot into his
own head. The revolver was found at the
dead womans feet, where 1t had fallen
from the hand of the murderer. The bod
les were sent to the morgue.
Police Theory.
1t is the theory of the police that on the
occasion OF the visit of Bottomy to the
Scheitlin home yesterday he had words
with the woman; that the time was
drawing near for the husband to return
fro his place of employment, the woman
urged the man to depart, as she had in
formed a friend that Rudolph had threat
ened to leave her on November j, and she
was going to be good and try to cause him
to change his mind and live again happily
with her. 1t is believed that Bottomy re-
sented this and opposed her decision to
try and live q wifely life with her lawful
husband She stuck to her determination,
it is thought, and he in a drunken frenzy
fired the fatal shots When found by the
policeman he bore evidences of having
been under the influence of liquor, and the
remains of a pint of whisky were found In
q flask in his pocket.
The wife had returned 10 her sober senses
and realized that her husband was going
to leave her, and that Bostomy cenld not
support her, and she made the decision
which is thought to have resulted In her
death and that of the man who had caused
her all the trouble.
Mr. Scheitnn informed Detective O'Brien
that he believed the man lad been calling
on his wife for some time, and that he had
heard things since her death which he had
not heard before of their transactions. He
also said his wife was good woman ex-
cept at those times when she INDUCED In
jntoxicants. She had more than once
threatened to leave her husband when he
chided her for her misconduct, and on sew
eral occasions had taken the pictures rom
the wall preparatory to carrying out her
threat She was engaged in hanging pic
lures on the wall anu tidying up the house
to make good impression on her husband
when Bottomy called and the tragedy took
place.
Soldier In War With Spain.
Rudolph B. scheItlin. the husband was a
Spanish war soldier. having been the frst
man to enlist in Company F, list District Of
Columbia Volunteers, in 1888. He served
in the Cuban campaign with honor At the
close of the war he married Mary Frances
Smith, daughter of Wylie Smith OF Brick
Church Station. near Upper Marlboro. No.
After securing employment In the navy
yard he established a modest little nome
at 750 9th street southeast. and lived nap
PLY until Bottomy and strong drink came
in, and then. 1t is said, happiness and con-
aAt last" said scheItlin sadly, II almost
lost hope. and finally determined to leave
my wife for good"
Since his wife's death the husband has
learned. SO he told Detective o Brien. that
Bottomys clandestine visits have continued
for about two years. On several occasions
when he found the invader at his home he
had requested the police to remove him.
Mrs Seheitlin was evidently In the act OF
hanging picture on the wall In the process
of tidying up her home and restoring happi-
ness, when Bottomy shot her from behind,
and she tumbled dying, to the floor.
Bottomy was not given good reputation
by the police when they were asked about
him today. The husband. 6cheitlin. 10 said
to be a grandson Of John Hitx, the hrsf
Swiss consul in Washington.
Coroner J. Ramsey hewitt today gave
certificates of murder and suicide In tho
cases Mr.. Scheitlin had his wife's remains
taken to Nally's undertaking establishment
on 11th street southeast, and says he will
give her a Christian burial. The body OF