Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-06-06
Comedian and SOubrette, Mem
bers of Theatrical Troupe,
Found Dead In Bed
WAS MURDER AND SUICIDE
Indication That the Woman Agreed to
Die With the Man She Loved, But
Whose Life Was Being Eaten Away
by Consumption-Man Shoots Wom-
an and Then Himself at Hotel.
oecial to Times Republican.

Special to Times Republican
Eldon, June Cd. +. Grindell. com
edian, and Alice Davis soubrette, mem
bers of the Angels Comedy Company,
which is showing in a tent here, We're
both found dead in room in the Ex-
change hotel yesterday Indications
are that the man shot the woman and
then himself.
Failure CT the couple to appear at
breakfast awoRe suspicion in tho
mind of the hotel manager and an in
restigation was made. Several at
tenlpts to arouse the couple by knock
ing on the door of their room failed to
was finally forced both the man and
the woman We're found dead
The body of the woman partially
dressed, lay on the bed, while Grindell.
who was fully dressed. lay on the floor,
the body partially under the bed From
all appearances the couple had been
dead some time.
Back of the murder and suicide lies
, the story of romance which began
over five years ago, when Grindell and
Miss Davis met as members of the
Angels company. Theirs was love at
first sight Ii they We're married they
have successfully kept IL secret and
even In death the secret of their union
remains hidden
Last pig'ht the couple appeared In
their respective roles as usual Mem
bers of the company found them more
entertaining and jovial than ever be-
fore. They returned to the hotel after
the performance with the other MEM
bers of the company and went directly
to their room.
What happened after that no one
knows. No shots were heard; no
sound that would indicate that trag-
edy was happening.
The discovery of the bodies yester-
day brought the first news Of the
murder ard suicide.
a Story Of Sacrifice.
There is absolutely no word or line
to explain the mystery surrounding
the tragedy. There is no one living
who can fathom 1t satisfactorily, but
the theory that is held by those who
have known the couple and who have
visited the scene of the shooting Is
that Miss Davis, or Mrs Grindell for
she is called by both names, sacrificed
her life In order that she might not
be left to mourn the death of the man
she loved, whose days We're numbered
and who no doubt desired to end his
life Immediately, rather than drag
along any longer thru the slow but
sure stages of consumption. For
years Grindel had been fighting
against DEATH but he felt the grip OF
the white plague tightening upon him
daily, and when. few days ago.
physician told him he could live only
a short time, the news was like a
veritable death warrant. Apparently,
Grindell told the woman of his inten-
ton to kill himself and she elected to
die with him, for there is nothing to
show that there was a struggle before
the shooting took place.
Seemingly to have been resigned to
her fate Miss Davis, from all evidence.
lay down on the bed, calmly folding
her hands under the back of her head
and allowed the man she loved to
murder her. The body of the woman
was found on the bed, a bullet hole in
her right temple, her hands clasped
behind her head
Grindell was found lying on the
floor a bullet hole in his head.
Members Of the company say that
Grindell and Miss Davis were devoted
to each other. Grindell was AZ years
old and he has relatives living in
Plattsmouth, Wis. Miss Davis was 35
years old and her home is in Hamil-
ton, o. Relatives Of both the dead
people have been notified of the trag-
edy.
Coroner F. w. Mills will hold an in
uueSt