Los Angeles herald., 1907-11-22
JEALOUS MAN
SHOOTS WIFE
AND SELF
WOMAN WILL LIVE, BUT HUS-
BAND MAY DIE
ASSAILANT CLAIMS WIFE WAS
UNFAlTHFUL
Jefferson 3. Larkln Returns from San
Francisco for Expressed Purpose
of Staying Spouse-Couple
Separated Recently

Jefferson B. Larkin, formerly employed
as huckster at the Los Angeles city
market, shot and wounded his wife, Ella
Larkin, last night at their home, All
Colyton street, in an attempt to take
her life.
Larkin then walked to Seventh and
Alameda streets, after he had been
knocked down by his 16-year-old son, and
there fired two shots into his breast
inflicting wounds from which he will
probably die.
Larkin is 45 years of age, tall, spare
and of excitable temperament. Three
months ago he deserted his wife in this
city and went to San Francisco.
Yesterday morning he arrived from the
north with the expressed determination
of killing his wife and himself
He was around town the greater part
of the day talking to friends and &C
quaintances, but for several hours he sal
in the Southern Pacific station and brood
ed over his troubles.
He asked frequently during the day
as to the whereabouts of an employe OF
the Western Show Case company whom
1t was later learned, he accused of being
responsible for the trouble between him
self and his wife.
Enters House Unannounced
station and walked to his home. When
he arrived there he entered the house
unannounced.
Mrs. Larkin was sitting in a rocking
chair holding Helen, her 14-months-old
baby, in her lap. Playing in the room
were Isabelle, aged years, and Effe
aged 8 years. In an adjoining room was
John. the 16-year-old son.
Hello, wifey," was Larkin's greeting
i'm n
manner at the unexpected entrance.
Before she could reply he drew 49,
callber revolver from his coat pocket and
pointing it directly at her, fired.
The bullet flew wide and buried in the
floor but a few inches from where Lar
kins little daughter was playing.
The wife screamed and the man pointed
the pistol at her the second time witt
the muzzle but a few inches from hei
head
AS he pressed the trigger the woman
threw out her hand and struck the
weapon.
70 this act she owes her life. for the
Cfuzzle of the pistol was knocked away
from her and the bullet struck her on the
side of the head and glancing around
the scalp came out in the back, the
wound being a superficial one.
Shoots Second Time
The flame squirting from the muzzle
of the pistol burned her arm almost tc
the elbow and she fell over insensiple
from the impact of the bullet
AS the second shot sounded John Lar
kin. the son, ran into the room.
He saw his mother topple and fall IN
a heap on the floor and the next instant
he had seized baseball bat which STOOD
in the corner of the room and struck
his father a heavy blow on the side OF
the head, knocking the man to the floor
The boy then ran for assistance.
AS he sprang from the doorway his
father struggled to his feet and picking
I'm his revolver from the floor went out
the back way He walked through g
neighboring lot and was lost in the
darkness
The shooting of the woman was re-
ported to the police and the ambulance
was sent for. In the meantime, how
aver the son had secured the services
of DR.. Charles Brock, who came to the
house and dressed Mrs. Larkin's wound
From his home, as was afterwaro
learned Larkin walked to the corner OF
Seventh and Alameda streets, where II
vacant lot he fired two bullets into his
breast.
Attempts TO Slay Himself
The first bullet entered the left lung
ran around a rib and came out in the
small of the back.
Realizing that he had not inflicted q
fatal wound, Larkin again placed the
muzzle of the weapon to his side and
fired a second shot. The bullet ploughed
it's way through his body and lodged In
the heavy muscles of the back.
Larkin then walked toward the side
walk. first throwing away his revolver. A
man who heard the shots ran toward hin
and asked what was the matter
NI,arkin replied he was shot and the mar
assisted him to walk to the lodging house
at 70Sh Central avenue, where he was
nIaced in bed and physician summoned
By coincidence DIR. Brock was called to
see I,arlxin just as he had returned to his
home from attending Mrs. Larkin
DIR. Brock gave the man first aid fol
aunshot wounds and then notified the
nolice and the ambulance was sent fol
him. He was taken to the receiving hos
,,itaI where Drs. Quint, Garrett and
Bonynge operated upon him.
The surgeons were unable to extract
the bullet which had passed through Lar
lsin's body and it was imbodded deeply II
the muscles of the back. AS its remova
would in no wise better his condition they
left 1t until some future time in case ht
RECEIVERS from the effects of the wound.
Makes Statement
BEFORE the surgeons began their ope
ration upon Larkin, Lieutenant Charles
Dixon made an effort to secure state
rent from the wounded man.
In reply to questions Larkin readily
gave his name and address and stated
that he was huckster.
He said he did not believe he was goinl
to die ard when the surgeons assured
him he had good chance of passing into
the great beyond he replied We'll. yor
NAV know more about it than | do, az
YOU are doctors but l don't think thai
am going to die at all
Asked by the officer if he had shot
himself he replied he had, and that hi
had intended to kill himself. but knew
that he had made a failure of the job.
He was then asked If he had shot his
wife and he replied that ne hau nreu az
1c,nnfinned On Page TMO.)