The Washington herald., 1907-05-26
MOTHER SHOT DOWN
Four Children Witness MuP-
der and Suicide.
CRIME AT FALLS CHURCH
George Putnam, I'm Jealous Rage,
slnys Mrs. Emma Beavers. with
lets Into WomnH's Body-HeInads
Revolver and Ends own Life.

Sllas Putnam a former WatChman in
the War Department. last night shot and
killed Mrs. Emma Beavers. 4 widow. with
whom he boarded. on his own farm, near
Fails Church. Va. After dlscharging six
bullets into the wOmans body. he calmly
reloaded the revolver. fired one bullet into
his temple, and died Immediately.
-Four young daughters Of Mrs. Beavers
stood helpless. protesting witnesses Of
the tragedy, and upon its elimination.
fed in terror 70 the nearby town to the
home Of the mayor. J. D. Payne. with a
wild appeal for aid.
Behind them they left a CHASTITY scene
in the kitchen Of their home. where Mrs
Beavers lay diving. with Putnam's life
less body stretched partly across her own
All the while, Mrs. Beavers fifth child.
Nathan, a boy, four years old slept
peacefully in his trundle bed on the third
floor Of the house.
The murder and its attendant suicide
was the outcome OF long-continlied dis
agreements between the couple. whose
association. in so far as Il Is known 10
the residents Of Falls Church. dates back
10 the time OF their living in Alexandria.
Just in what manner they came together
in that city is not known. the antece-
dents Of both being somewhat obscure
Seven months ago they appeared at Falls
Church and took Up occupancy Of the
siX-rO0m house on the seven-acre farm
belonging TO Putnam. Putnam was abou,
sixty years old. Mrs. Beavers was fifteen
years his junior.
As the arrangement was generally un-
derstood Mrs. Beavers rented the farm
from Putnam and paid him by taking him
as a boarder. He had boarded at her
house In Alexandria
Five Little Children.
With Mrs Beavers came her children
May. whe is fifteen years old. Gertrude.
thirteen; Ruth. twelve. Able. nine. and
Nathan. Il became known amcng the
village gossips that Mrs. Beavers husband
had died three years previous. in Prince
William County. and that her relatives
lived there. It was also learned that Mr..
Putnam had been married three times and
as often bereaved. One child was born
Of the second union and one o. the third
These were not taken 10 the farm. but
have been left in a home in Washington.
Putnam making the plea that he was
unable q provide for them himself.
The couple did not find their life con-
genial. and their dissatisfaction with each
other showed itself in daily uuarrels.
From the lips of the children last night
came disconnected. inCoherent accounts Of
incess7nt chickering's. the exact cause Of
which they were unable to describe.
Both Away All Day.
As they sobbed out the tragic story last
night, however. It was learned that both
the man and the woman had been away
from home all Of yesterday. Putnam was
i'm Washington alone Mrs. Beavers was
i'm Alexandria with May and Ruth. Put
nam returned first. somewhat out OF
hum0r. He inquired Immediately for
Mrs. Beavers, and upon being told by
Gertrude that her mother had not re-
turned, his anger Increased. Supper had
refused to eat II. He stormed about the
house awaiting Mrs. Beavers appearance
Upon her arrival, some time later. he
upbraided her as they went together TO
the barn tC put away the horse. They re-
turned to the house still quarreling. and
entered the kitchen. where the four young
girls were waiting to eat supper.
Putnam became more violent each mo-
ment. and assumed threatening tone TO-
ward Mrs. Beavers. May. the oldest
child, became alarmed by the vehemence
Of the pair. and. fearing for her mother g
safety, ran to her side crying out to Put
nam not TO hurt her
Turns Gun on Girl.
His rage was momentarily turned upon
the child Jerking a revolver out Of his
pocket he thrust it into her face. shout.
ing:
You get out of this house. or I'll kill
you"
The girl ran. paniC-stricken. out Of the
door Her sisters. Gertrude. Ruth. and
Able, huddled together in corner of
the room.
Putnam wheeled back upon the woman
and in final paroxysm. pulled the trigger
Of the revolver again and again. until
each of the six chambers was emptied.
All of the bullets took effect hut no,e
brought instant death. As the last shot
Continued on Page 6. Column 4.
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