Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-18
DIES BY HER OWN HAND
MRS MAUD WILEY DEsPoNDENr
AFTER FATHERS DEATH.

Despondent because OF her separation
from her husband and because she had
brooded over the suicide OF her father in
Georgetown several months ago, Mrs.
Maud Wiley, thirty-five years old, COM
mitted suicide by shooting herself yester-
day afternoon in her apartment at the
Berwick, Park and 14th streets. Her
father ended his life In similar manner,
following long spell of Illness. Since
the death of her father the young woman
has made repeated threats that she would
end her life, and her friends endeavored
to keep her under constant surveillance.
Miss Annie ]. Seymour of COS I street
northwest was a guest of the respondent
woman yesterday, but during the few min
utes they were separated Mrs. Wiley pro-
cured revolver and committed the deed.
Inc three small children, of Mrs Wiley
were playing in front of the fat yesterday
afternoon and one OF them called to the
mother to look out of the window. This
she did, and almost Immediately thereafter
the mother turned and fired tlR, fatal shot.
physician was called, but life was ex-
tinct and the coroner gave a certificate
of death in order that the undertaken might
prepare the remains for interment-
Had Brought Suit for Divorce.
Mrs. Wiley, whose maiden name was
Maud Sharpe, was the daughter of James
S. Sharpe, who was a clerk in one of the
departments for a number of years. Her
husband, Archie Wiley, was employed as
a clerk In one of the big grocery stores
in this city after his return from Cleveland
Ohio, where he was in business 1t is stated
that the husband and wife had separated
several times and that the latter finally
started divorce proceedings in Cleveland
Since her return to this city she had re-
sumed her maiden name and her friends
were again learning to call her Maud
Sharpe. 1t was stated last night that her
husband had recently made arrangements
to go to Jamaica and that he had been
living in Pittsburg. Friends OF the dead
woman did not know that he had peen
here and had called upon his wife and
children before he prepared to leave. II
is thought by some of her friends that ne
had been here and that, although she was
suing for a divorce, she was disturbed an
mind over the prospects of his going out
of the country.
The repeated threats made by the woman
had given her friends and relatives much
annoyance, but it proved they were power
less to prevent her rash act. 1t was pc
lieved that there was no revolver IN tile
house. The young woman had one secreteo
there, however, and used 1t as stated.
Before she fired the fatal shot, Mrs. whey
wrote on slips of paper the name and ao-
dress of her sister, Mrs. Lorena wilson,
the Windsor, 1925 T street northwest. one
slip was left In the dining room and the
other IN her sleeping apartment where sie
ended her life.
Coroner Certifes to Suicide.
When Coroner hewitt reached the apart
ment he found the remains of Mrs. Wiley
upon the floor. She was lying on her left
side and the weapon was on the floor near
her hand. Mrs. Wilson, her sister, had been
summoned. and the police were in charge
of the apartment. The latter withdrew af-
ter the coroner had made his investigation
and given a death certificate.
Mrs. Wiley was greatly affected by the
death of her father, and had frequently
said she wanted to die in the manner in
which his life was ended. 1t is said she
purchased a piece of property in Virginia
after the death Of her father and went
there to live. Her house was a long dis
lance from the nearest neighbor, and she
became frightened at the frequent visits OF
tramps, abandoning her country home and
returning to this city.
Last night friends of the deceased made
efforts to reach her brother and husband
to notify them of what had happened. Her
brother is a vaudeville actor, and Is known
on the stage as Carl Wilbur. He has ap-
pearcd on the stage in this city num-
Der of times. His home is at Syracuse N.
Y, and arrangements for the funeral will
not be completed until he reaches this city.