The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-19
SHOT DEAD.
Jerome Curry Kills Wife and
Himself.
Was an Oficer Of Central Sash
& Door Company.
TRAGEDY ON A BRIDGE.
Couple Walked in Park Before
Shooting.
Woman Heard to Scream and
the Shots Followed.
NO REASON is KNOWN.
Han Only Arrived at Excelsior
Springs Today.
Woman Had Been There Since
y Sept. l.
Woman Heard to Scream and
the Shots Followed.
NO REASON Is KNOWN.
Nan Only Arrived at Excelsior
Springs Today.
Woman Had Been There Since
Sept. 1.

Excelsior Springs Mo. Sept ia
Jerome Curry. an officer of the Cen
trail Sash & Door company Of North
Topeka. who lived at 624 Harrison
street shot his wife on a bridge lead
ing to Reeees park and then put
bullet into his brain just before noon
today. Both were apparently instant
ly killed.
Mr. Curry had arrived in Excelsior
Springs only this morning. His wife
had been here since about the first of
September. She had at first stopped
at the Benton hotel and after staying
there a few days had gone to the
Maple Last Thursday she left the
Maple and since then has been at the
Castle Rock. This morning she left
the hotel a few minutes before II
o'clock She appeared to be in the
best of spirits. When she was seen
again she was in Reeces park with
Mr.. Curry The couple were seen
walking around in the park in ear
nest conversation for some time and
then were lost sight of.
About 1870 J. H Dentsey, who
lives in a house nearest the bridge but
some distance away and across the
street. was standing in the doorway of
his home. Suddenly his attention was
attracted by the screams of a woman,
and looking toward the bridge, he saw
a man struggling with a woman IN
Etantly H. saw the man nre four shots
in rapid succession and the woman
dropped on the bridge. Hesitating only
an instant the man pressed revolver
to his temple and sent bullet into his
brain. He dropped only q few feet
from his wife. When Mr. Dentsey
reached the place both were evidently
dead. Curry had fired all four of shots
into the woman's breast
No word was left by either person
and it is not known whether it was a
suicide pact or a quarrel between the
couple that led up to the tragedy
The Central sash & Door company
was called up by telephone Mr.. Man
speaker was asked for and the in
formation was given that he was out
Of town. On a request for some one in
authority to be called man named
D A. Sipes came to the telephone.
rs Mr. Curry connected with your
company" ?" was asked
'I h-ve no information to give out
about Mr.. Curry" said Sipes curtly.
The next question was followed by
Sipes slamming UP the receiver and no
further Information could be secured.
II is not known whether his accounts
with the company are in good shape
or not
Jerome Curry is well known in To-
peka. and was manager of the Cen
tray Sash and Door factory of North
Topeka, a concern in which he owned
about $4,000 worth of stock. His
home for the past two months has
been at 634 Harrison street. Previous
to that time he boarded with his wife
for a few months at the home of DR..
Mary Stewart. Seventh and Harrison
streets
Mr.. Curry has been mixed up with a
lot Of litigation for the past year or
two involving his family affairs On
April i, 1905, he commenced suit for
divorce against his first wife, Maggie
j. Curry This wife knew nothing
about the proceedings, for Mr.. Curry
sent her back to Wooster, Ohio, for a
visit with her relatives. Mr.. Curry
charged extreme cruelty but it is
claimed that the real reason he wished
his freedom was because his wife was
sick and suffering from mental trou-
bic. The decree of divorce was grant
ed May 2T by default, Mrs. Curry being
stil absent from the state.
In June. 1908, before the six months
period had expired. within which mar
riage might legally be contracted. Mr..
Curry was married to the woman
whom he shot today at Excelsior
Springs. He had met this woman at
Kansas City, and he seemed to have q
strange infatuation for her. The mar
riage took place at the home of her
parents III LOl6GD. tfulD+ "A second
marriage ceremony was afterward per-
formed by Probate Judge Hayden.
On Nov %, the first wife. Maggie J.
Curry. returned TO Topeka and T. F.
Carver brought suit for her in the dis
trict court to set aside the decree. This
suit was afterwards dismissed on
Curry's agreement to pay her alimony
IN the amount of $50 per month. The
first wife is now back at Wooster, Ohio,
with her parents
Curry has become involved financially
Of late, and had pledged his SIS 600 worth
Of stock In the Central Sash anu Door
factory as security for a loan Of 81 O00
1t is supposed that Mr.. Curry used this
money to pay some debts, but the na-
ture of these debts was not known
He mas been having consultations Of
late with 4. F. Carver in regard to Ger
tain financial matters, and Mr. Carver
said today.
THE 81 900 which Mr. Curry raised by
pledging his stock in the sash factory
was used for paying some debts about
which I know nothing. Mrs. Curry. the
Arst wife has first lien on the balance
of the stock for her alimony"
The officers Of the Sash and Door
company refused to give out any infor-
nation about the condition Of Mr.
Curry's accounts with that company
Maud Loburtis. a colored girl who
has worked for the Currys since they