New-York tribune., 1907-06-19
SHOT HIS DEAD WIFE.
WmdeU Confesses He Fired Bullet
Into Suicides Brain.

After telling a remarkable story 10 explain the
death Of Laura Mcsorley, who was found dead in
a little fiat Mt No. 3Si West 18th street. last night
James Wardell, who says he he- husband.
was remandeds 10 the Tomhs without bail ny
Coroner Acrltei yesterday afternoon The autopsy
revealed that the woman had been killed by inha!-
ing Illuminating gas before the shot fired into
her head. This is said TO be without precedent In
the records of tho Coroner's Office, In the story
he told Wardell admitted having fred the bullet
into tho head OF his wife as she lay unconscious
beside him. lie then tried 70 shoot himself TO carry
out his part of the agreement. he said' but the
cartridges failed 70 explode,
It was a sordil story as brought out by tho IN
vestiCatlons of the coroner. The McSorley woman
to whom Warde said he had been married three
years ago. had been living recently with othcr
men. For tho last three months she had made her
homo with Jacob Beahlert. an electrician. but
Wardell sought n reconciliation. 10 when Sedhiert
made no objections Wardell and the woman talked
IL all over In West 25th street fiat. he declares
after which they decided that life held out moth
ing Of value for either of them.
According to Coroner Acriteli Wardell said tho
woman attached drop tube to the gas jetgTeach-
ing down between their heads they lay the
bed together. Whether he or his wife turned on
the gas WardeH would not say Neither spoke
tho gas gradually took effect Watdell said that
lie first felt sick at the stomach and then weak IN
the knees. Then he lost consciousness How long
he that way he does not know, but suddenly
he woke up. The woman beside him quiet.
lie felt her hands and they were cold. Then he
leaned over and kissed her but there
suonse and Wardeli was sure she was dead lie
seemed to be almost IN trance and acted auto
matically. he said He remembered that they had
promised 20 use the revolver In case the gas did
not work He took the weapon and shot the
woman I'm the right temple.
Pressing tho pistol against his head. he
pulled the trigger four times. but the cartridges
dld not explode. Then n great terror seized him.
and dropping the weapon. he dashed into the
street When the cool air had driven of the
effects OF the gas from his brain he went into
sa !oon and took a drink. 1t br1ced him up ana he
telcphoned the police that his wife had committed
suicide. Then he returned TO the room. War1ell
was in the room when the police came Monday
night. lie told them then that his wife had prom
ised 20 shoot him first and then herself. but had
put bullet into her head first.
When Wardeu out OF Coroner Acritellrs
chce after telling his story. great beads of perspi-
ration were standing his pad face. His eyes
bulged out and his knees shook. lie was sobbng
ConVulsivey and II seemed II he would collapse
any minute Carl FischeT-Hanson, who was en-
gagged $ the prisoners counsel, accompanied him
exploded cartridges lE the revolver found beside
the bed had been hit by the hammer of the re-
vover, which would bear out part of Ward ells
story
Jacob Reahlert who arrested the night
OF the tragedy because he had been living with the
dead woman, was raToled by Coroner Acrteli in
the custody of counsel procured by his wife.
She told the police she had been married seNea
years and had never had any trouble before.
Il suppose II had to happen some time. she
sighed
DIR. OHanlon, the coroner's physician SAID the
case was one OF the most complete examples OF
asphyxatOn he had ever He cannot under
stand how Wardell could have inhaled as much
gas as tho woman and then recovered conscious
ness. The autopsy showed clearly that the wound
I'm the head made after death, AZ II had not
caused thA slightest hemorThIgc.