Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-16
NATIONAL MUSEUM
SCENE OF MURDER
Three Shots Fired From a Win
chester Rifle.
VICTIM WAS LITHOGRAPHER
Man Who Committed Crime is From
Philadelphia.
VICTIM WAS LITH0GRAPHER
STATEMENT BY THE PRISONER
Homicide Accomplished So Quietly
That Visitors in Building Were
Unaware Of Happening.

Stantly killed, Wnlle at the NATIONAL
Museum today, by Otto Seelhorst
of Philadelphia. Won Iterson was
photographer temporarily employed
at the museum. The victim was
shot three times by Seelhorst with
a Winchester repeating rifle. Seel-
horst was arrested. There were no
eye-witnesses to the shooting. 1t
is understood that the affair was
the result of family troubles. The
police say that Seelhorst resides at
1927 Poplar street, Philadelphia,
and came to this city yesterday af-
ternoon.
Won Iterson was killed instantly, The
body fell upon the floor in the small room
where the shooting occurred and so quietly
was the homicide accomplished that none
of the visitors to the museum knew that
anything unusual had happened until the
fourth precinct patrol wagon appeared at
the entrance to the building and the man
who had done the shooting was taken away.
At the police station the prisoner talked
OF the affair to Capt. Matthews, telling him
of an alleged wrong done him by the de-
ceased. He also said he had feared Won
Iterson would contaminate the children or
his (the prisoners brothers children 1t
was due to such combination of circum-
stances. Seelhorst explained, that he came
here for the purpose of killing Won lterson
II don't Ike to Kill any man. Teelhorst
stated to Capt. Mathews when the latter
asked him If he regretted his act.
But" the captain said, Il mean do you
regret or are you sorry that you killed Won
The prisoner promptly answered in the
negative.
Statement by Prisoner.
When taken into the room of Capt. Ma
thews the prisoner said he had written
what he thought would explain tie case,
handing to the police captain statement.
which is follows:
Some time ago read in the news
papers about the chickens. Who is the
mother of the chicken. that lays the egg
or the one that matches It?
Lots of young men have good mothers
who give them good advice, then some
one who hears her advice. a devil, | sup
pose, of which there are many inside the
garden and out, will not only try, but will
succeed In turning it to naught. little
bit of my own history by which L swore,
not before God, but before the people or
my nation, and, above all. don't be afraid
that the earth is fiat, as some still think.
But 1t is round and rounder than 1t ever
was and becoming more so.
There is no use of running from place
to another, because 1t is now one home
and we its occupants. good or bad;
make the bad good. Do not try to save
family name by throwing one child out
that has gone astray. Your name Will
become more glorious II you hold on 10
that child.
my mother always taught me not to go
in any house with any man. The man ap-
peared If you can call him so. If he done
this for money is worse than the devil IN
the Bible. l know his name. MY
mother knew WY size spoke. Gentlemen,
stick to the mother that raised you as
chickens do. If she is ilegtlmate the
above becomes more strong, If you are
man.
nationalities must write in peace or we roar
to save one child l speak of children I'M
der fifteen years of age. The damage Is
done in those years IS grown toiks' 10
save ourselves, must write to save the ris-
ing generation regardless Of politics or
religion, because We are all human.
Arrived Here Yesterday.
Upon a scrap of paper taken from the
prisoner written:
II fear there are times coming-it is not
for me to shape your way of thinking De-
eide in your own mind that which is right,
and when you have SO decided, know then
that God is with you. Swesve not from
the course for any man.
the following: Woman Is a remarkable
soldier in peace or in war by her great
presence; man can and ought 10 90 the
same in return.
1t was about 4 o'clock yesterday after
noon when the Philadelphia arrived here.
and this morning he reached the museum
shortly after 1890 O'Clock, carrying Two
packages. He says he had not seen Won
lterson for about fifteen years and that
he learned where he was employed by call
ing at an establishment at 4th and Arch
JalnI hnra hnf a IL
ed One package that was carried by Seel-
horst contained the rifle. that had been
taken apart, and in the other was some
work that Seelhorst had colored for Won
Iterson and which he says he had had In
his possession several years.
Making Scientific Drawings.
Won Iterson was making some scientific
drawings in the division of mammals. under
Dr. Marcus w. Lyons, the assistant curator
at the museum, at the time the Philadel-
phian called The latter inquired where he
could find Won Iterson, and as his packages
gave the impression that he was probably
carrying pictures to the artist ne was d.
rected to the room in which Won lterson
was located. Just what happened in the
room the others in that part of the building
do not know. Some Of them heard three
shots fired and some of them heard Seel-
horst remark to Won Iterson, You won't
interfere with family any more, uttered
just before the shots were fired.
When Seehorst had passed through the
door leading from the hall into the room
where Won Iterson was working he un-
wrapped his big package and put the rife
together, but, it is believed he did not take
1t into the part of the room wrere Won
Iterson was engaged when he first called
upon the latter. The prisoner says he saw
his former friend, but the latter did not
know him at first. He had no trouble re-
newing the acquaintance. however. and
after he had exhibited the work he had
done. the coloring OF some prints OF eggs,
ftory had her h