Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-07-28
Des Moines Man Kills His Wife
Because She Began Suit
For Divorce
VIOLATED THE COURTS ORDER
Had Been Forbidden to Enter Wife's
Home, But He Went to Effect a
Reconciliation and Failing Shot His
Wife Dead and Then Committed
Suicide.

| Des Mones, July 2S.-Driven fran
tic and consumed with anger by the
| reading of the petition OF divorce filed
| by his Wife, John b. Gregg well
known East Des Moines man, went
to the home Of Mrs. Gregg. S3l East
Fifth street, where he murdered her
in the presence OF their children, and
then committed suicide. The crime
was committed yesterday afternoon a
few minutes after O'clock. One shot
from S2-calibre BULLDOG type re-
second shot instantly killed the MUIR
derer.
Domestic trouble was the cause OF
the murder and suicide. Gregg mar
ried the woman he killed yesterday in
the fall of the year 1898. For few
years they lived happily together.
Quarrels soon became frequent, until
finally Mrs. Gregg decided that she
could not live with her husband long
err Last July she filed an original
notice of divorce at the court house.
asking for the custody of her two
children, Teresa and Fern. and $500
alimony. Fearing that she would be
injured by her husband, or her chill
dren taken away from her. she Sc
cured an order of court, restraining
him from entering her home.
Greggs went to the court house yes
terday afternoon short time before
o'clock.
Il want to read the charges my
wife has brought against me in her
petition" he told one of the men in
the county clerks office.
The papers We're given him.
She said showed her cruel and
inhuman treatment he announced to
nobody in particular
'iShe says that l beat her.
Gregg's anger was rising the far
Their he read in the paper.
She says that l threatened to kill
her." he continued. THAT | often got
intoxicated and that l locked her out
of the house on July Z. What damna-
BILE lies
20, cut it out, said one of the clerks,
we all know what is in the petition
without your reading 1t to u.s."
All right" replied Gregg as he pull
ed his hat farther down on his head
and turned and left the office.
An hour previous to the time he had
appeared al the court house Gregg met
his two little daughters, aged 4 and Z
years, near East Fifth and Locust
streets. The girls were in the charge
of Miss Hattie Lovejoy, neighboy of
Mrs. Gregg. The girls with a number
OF their companions were watching
the Ringing parade.
Walking up to Miss Lovejoy, Gregg
said: Il want to buy Fern a pair of
shoes. Let her go with me to the shoe
store"
Miss Lovejoy, knowing of the
trouble between Gregg and his wife.
was reluctant about letting the little
girl go, fearing that the father might
kidnap her.
20, if you are afraid of me come
along with u.s. said Gregg. Miss
Lovejoy with the two girls and Gregg
went to Donovan's store where a pair
of shoes were purchased
The father appeared to be i'm good
SPANS AAC pSAl llIllc i see YOU III
buy you pair he said turning to
Teresa. He then purchased sack Of
candy and package of gum
Take this to Lou, she likes gum"
he said handing the packages to his
Oldest daughter.
Yes, l know mamma likes gum"
replied the baby.
Tears came into the eyes of the hus-
band. He suddenly reached down and
kissed the children on the forehead.
DO you love me just as much as
ever?" he asked in broken words. "Do
you love me more than mamma?v
We love both just the same" re-
piled the daughters.
Gregg turned away brushing the
tears from his eyes
The two little girls then returned
home. About fifteen minutes later
Gregg entered the house and walked
into the kitchen where his wife and
two daughters We're standing.
What are you doing here?" asked
Mrs. Gregg. Did you not know that
the courts ordered you to stay away? Q"
Yes, but | wanted to see YOU" he
replied. why won't you forgive
me?"
1T is best for us to live apart" she
replied. We can not get along to-
gether"
Gregg stood in the kitchen for
moment, surveying his wife and two
daughters. Mrs. Gregg, who was
cooking her dinner, kept along at her
work. She was afraid to say any
thing to her husband or to order him
from the house. She was shaking for
fear that he would assault her and
furtively watched him over her Shout
der.
She walked over to the stove and
with bread knife which she had
seized started to cut slice off the
loaf.
How do you like Ferns shoes?" he
suddenly asked. why, they are very
NICE said Mrs. Gregg. They seem to
please her"
Then, without a seconds hesitation
Gregg drew the revolver from his
pocket and showed it against his wifes
head just above the right ear.
She was cutting on the loaf Of
bread and did not see the danger she
was in,
A report rang out and Mrs. Gregg
sank to the floor dead. The bullet had
gone thru her brain, killing her in
stantly.
The two little girls stood Mortified
by the spectacle, hardly realizing what
had happened.
The father looked at them an in
slant and then pressing the muzzle of