Los Angeles herald., 1907-08-05
WOMAN SHOT,
MAN JAILED
poNLY INTENDED TO FRleHTEN,"
SAYS VICTIM
BOTH DENY ARRESTED HUSBAND
FIRED
AII-NIght Quarrel Ends with Muffled
Report of PlstoI-Mrs. F. C.
EIIens viii Die, Says
Surgeon

Suffering from the effects of a bullet
wound, supposed to have been self-in-
flicted, Mrs. Frank G. Ellens, wife of a
clerk in Silverwood's store, Sixth and
Broadway, was found by Detectives
Hawley and Mckenzie in the room oc-
cupied by herself and husband at 46
South Hill street, shortly before noon
yesterday.
Mr.. Ellens refused at first to allow the
officers to see his wife or to give them
any information. He ordered them from
the house and suspecting from his ac-
tions that he might have been RESPONSE
BILE for the woman's condition he was
placed under arrest and taken to the
central station.
Mrs. Ellens was removed to the re-
ceiving hospital, where 1t was found
the bullet had pierced her body just
below the left breast and had come out
near the spinal column. An operation
was performed by Police. Surgeon .Bo-
nyne, who said at it's conclusion that the
woman would probably die.
In addition to the bullet wound it was
found by the surgeon that Mrs. Ellens
was suffering with black eye and num-
Der of bruises about her face and head.
These she said were the result of a
beating she had received at her hus-
bands hands
Shortly before being placed under an
anesthetic Mrs. Ellens made the follow
ing statement to the detectives:
Only Bluff
81 wished to frighten my husband by
threatening to commit suicide He had
been drinking and had abused me. I
took the revolver from bureau drawer
and pointed 1t at my breast. Someway
I managed to press the trigger and the
gun was discharged.
MY husband had beaten me cruelty
during the morning, but he did not shoot
me. 1 thought by showing him the gun
and threatening to kill myself I would
so frighten him that he would leave me
me alone"
Ellens made a statement to the de-
tectives late in the afternoon. 1t was
along the same lines as that of his wife.
He admitted beating the woman.
A great deal of mystery surrounds the
shooting. According to neighbors the
couple had been quarreling during the
greater part of Saturday night. Early
yesterday morning they ceased, but
about 0 o'clock started again.
Suddenly the muffled report of a shot
was heard followed by the sound of a
house summoned the police with the
information that murder had been
committed, .,.
When Hawley and Mckenzie went to
the house they were met at the door by
the womans husband.
Get out of here" roared Ellens. "You
can't come into this house." few
seconds later Ellens found himself under
arrest suspected of shooting his wife.
When they entered the room occupied
by the couple the detectives found Mrs.
Ellens lying on the floor with blood
pouring from the wound in her breast.
Neighbors Silent
None of those living in the house would
give the officers any information at the
time and when the detectives again Wis
tied the place. an hour later, they found
that all the occupants of the house had
left.
Mr.. Ellens is 81 years of age and his
wife is about the same age. She is
said to be addicted to the use of NOR
phine and a quantity of the drug was
found in the room
Late yesterday afternoon Mrs. Ellens
was taken to the California hospital
by Pierce. Bros. ambulance.
Last night word was sent to j. M.
Davis, Marion, Ohio, father of Mrs. Ell
lens, of his daughters condition, and it
is expected he will start for Los Angeles
immediately