Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-31
He and Wife Disagreed.

:
Witness stated that shortly after II
o'clock Tuesday night he had quarrel with
his wife. 1t began by Mrs. Cop'ey object
ing to his practice of sitting up late at night
after she had retired. When he went up
stairs to the bed chamber and was prepar-
ing to retire she again entered objections
to his sitting up late, and she remarked
that he had been keeping late hours too
much of late.
II remarked that was my own boss and
could do as pleased testified Mr. Copley.
ITO this my wife replied that she had
something to say as to how things should
be run about the house. l informed her
she was trying to run everything"
He further testified that Mrs. Copley
then chided him and declared she had seen
him talking to woman at 7th and F
streets on a recent evening.
Il positively denied this, as I had done
the census office, and she verified my de-
NAL. She agree1 with me that we parted
before reaching 1th and F Streets
The witness then declared that his wife
made the remark, Il guess you don't care
for me any more,'' and said she would
jump into the river.
Didn't Regard Threat Seriously.
1.-The expression that she would jump
into the river was common one with her."
said the husband. II told her she had bet
ter carry an ak to the river with her to cut
the ice, or else take pair of skates, SO
she could go out to deep place.
Then l became somewhat angry and In
formed her 1 would sleep in another ROOM"
He described how he entered the adjoin-
ing room and found the bedding disar-
ranged and not in order. He went to
closet to get some bed clothes and was
placing pillow slip On pillow when he
a aT r6 to 1p
the first shot. He had frequently heard
similar sounds, and it was not until the
second shot was heard that he went into
his wife's room and discovered the truth.
Wife Seemed to Be Dead.
He said his wife appeared to be dead, and
described how the baby slept on chairs close
to the bedside. He did not know that the
infant had been shot and killed until after
the arrival Of the police. Their little boy,
the first child born to them, slept on a crib
over by the wall.
Mr.. Copley told how he had found the
revolver on the bed, where it had fallen
from his wife's hand, and describe, how,
storm to the home of DR.. Dorsey. The
pistol was purchased about THANKSGIVING
day. because Mr.. Copley had seen a col
ored man one night sneaking out of his
back yard. He bought it for the protection
of his home.
In answer to a question by Coroner hewitt
he said:
Mrs. Copley was not afraid of either a
pistol or gun. At home in Iowa she had
shot her brothers rifle. Her brothers also
had revolvers, and she remarked when
purchased the pistol that she understood
how it worked"
Mr. Copley said he fired it several times
in his cellar at an ash pile to try it.
Wife Was Jealous.
II consider" said Mr.. Copley, in reply to
question of DR.. hewitt, that my wife was
of jealous disposition
He explained that on one occasion when
he had to return to the census Office to
perform some work at night his wife ac-
companied him, although she had never ac-
cused him of keeping company with other
women until three or four days ago.
Mr.. and Mrs. Copley had been married six
years. he explained, and he had no. seen
Tuesday evening, when he carried it up to
bed. On one occasion he had accused his
wife OF wanting to wear the pants.
DR.. Dorsey's Testimony.
Dr. John s. Dorsey told of having gone
to the house on the night of the tragedy.
When Mr.. Copley appeared at his front
door, he exclaimed:
Doctor. for Gods sake come over and
see my wife. She has shot herself"
He was greatly excited and gr.eved, so
that he could scarcely speak. Mrs copley
was lying on her left side. with blood all
over her face and smoke and powder marks
on her sSrm.
Dr. Dorsey said he felt sure Of his con-
yictions at the time
What were your convictions?" asked
Il should say" replied DR.. Dorsey, that
she shot herself. feel convinced OF It"