The Washington herald., 1907-03-27
WOMAN CUTS THROAT
Mrs. Rosa f. Masius Found
Dead in E Street Home.
HUSBAND NOTIFIES POLICE
Coroner hewitt Orders Man Held
Pending nyestigatiOn-Deed Com
naItted with Butcher Knife-Aiastuz
Tells Police wife killed Herself.
Neighbors Say Couple auaFreIsOme.

Mrs. Rosa Z. Masius was found lying
on the floor of her home, 80 z street
northwest, yesterday afternoon With her
throat cut from ear to ear. After viewing
the body Coroner hewitt directed that her
husband, Albert g. Masius, a clerk in the
Agricultural Department be held pending
further investigation. He was taken into
custody by the police Of the Sixth pre-
cinet station.
a few minutes before 6 o'clock yester-
day evening Masius ran to the Sixth pre-
cinct station, crying that his wife had
just tried to kill herself. and asked that
medical assistance be summoned.
When the officers arrived at the scene
Mrs. Masius was lying half-elad. at full
length, in a rear roor on the second floor,
in a pool OF blood that had flowed from a
cut in her throat which completely sew
cred the jugular vein. At her right side
lay large carving knife. Several of the
officers attempted 10 check the fOw of
blood with bandages. but when the am
bulance arrived at the house Dr. Bethel
pronounced the woman dead.
Police Hold Husband.
N ME the Hb4lEE were dALCAAfliilE W elaA
the dying woman. her husband seemed
poweTless TO answer the questions which
were asked him by Capt. ByTnes. He ap-
pea5ed 10 be entirely beWiIdeTed and
seemed 10 be suffering from an intense
mental strain. Noting this condition,
Capt. Byrnes directed that he be taken to
the station until an investigation could be
made and the coroner's opinion learned.
An examination OF the room last night
failed to disclose any signs Of a struggle.
According TO the statement made by
Masius TO Capt. Byrnes at the station
house. he and his wife had been asleep
the greater part of the afternoon. A few
minutes after O'Clock, he said, Mrs.
Masius went into the rear room and was
there but a moment when he heard her
fall TO the floor. On going TO see what
had happened, he found her lying at full
length bleeding from a cut in her throat.
Not stopping TO attempt to help her he
rushed 10 the station.
According 10 the statements made by
other occupants of the house, the couple
have been quarrelSOme lately, although
yesterday they were more quiet than
usual. Masius, who is employed as a
translator in the Agricultural Depart
ment, had been absent from his work for
several days At times both he and his
wife disturbed the other occupants so
much that complaint was made.
Claims Husband Made Threats.
On Monday afternoon Mrs. Masius, who
had been away from the house the great
er part of the day, went TO the Sixth pre-
cinct station and said that her husband
had threatened to harm her, and asked
that an officer be sent to the house,
This request was complied with, but the
0fficer on reaching there found little
cause to take any action.
After viewing the body last night, Cor
oner hewitt was unpTepared 10 make any
statement. He directed that Masius be
held. The body was taken to the Dis
trict Morgue.
Iasius stated that for some time he
had been suffering from nervous eXhaus-
ton, and had been taking stimulants.
When searched at the statiOn-house he
had in his possession a bottle Of prepa-
ration OF stTychnine.
Mrs. Masius was foTty-three years old,
and had been married since 1889. She
originally came from Egg Harbor, n j.,
where one of her sisters lives at present,
The couple had three children, but they
of lato never stayed with their parents,
each OF them living with one OF Mrs.
sius have lived in this city for some time,
and for the past three months resided at
the Z street house.