Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-01-01
DID The WIFE SHOOT!
Council Bluffs Couple Quarrel;
Revolver Discharged, Acct
dentally, Woman Claims
BOTH NOW OUT UNDER BOND
Mrs. w. s. Smith Ha. Been Formally
Arraisned on the Charge Of Shoot.
/ inc With Intent to Kill, But No
Charge 10 Placed Against Her Hus-
band-Dstails Of Affair.
Special to Time,-Republican.


Special to Timey-R Republican.
Council Bluffs, Jan. Only by the
merest chance was shocking domes-
tic tragedy averted here last evening,
following which Mr.. and Mrs. w. s..
Smith, 625 Sixth avenue, were both
placed under arrest, other occupants of
the house having been alarmed by q
shot and the noise Of the scuffling be-
tween Smith and his wife. Smith, who
formerly resided at Sheldon, is SO
years old, and his wife is 80, and the
disparity In their ages Is believed to
have been partially responsible for the
entrance Of the green-eyed monster,
jealousy, into their household.
Mrs. Smith had been at the home OF
her parents in Rockford, Mo-, on visit,
and had returned home only few
hours before the encounter which al
most resulted In the death OF her hus-
band. Smith met his wife at the de-
pot on her return, and 1T is said at
once began upbraiding her for her all
legged unfaithlessness continuing the
talk as they walked to their home.
Mrs. Smith indicated an unwillingness
to discuss her husbands jealous sus-
piclons concerning her, but on enter
ing their home Smith insisted on her
seating herself and listening to him,
Smith claiming to have obtained new
evidence in support Of his suspicious
during her absence. Apparently with
the idea OF compelling his wife to lis
ten to him, Smith openly displayed a
revolver which he had taken from his
overcoat pocket and transferred to his
hip pocket as he removed his outer
garment.
Mrs. Smiths Version.
Mrs. Smith says that as hen hus-
band wass in the act Of hanging up his
overcoat. and while his back was turn
ed, she quickly pulled the gun from
his pocket, and Immediately proceeded
to impress him with the fact that she
was Their master of the situation. II
did threaten to shoot him." she said.
"and will shoot him II am forced to
protect myself. After I had gotten
hold Of the gun turned the tables on
him and ordered him to sit down and
let me d., the talking. He sat down a
few mint ties and then got up and came
towards me. followed him in
threatening manner and kept him NOV
ing for . time, but he coon closed in on
me and bent ME back over the sofa,
trying to get held Of the revolver. In
the Bcuffie the weapon was discharged.
but 1t was an accident"
Shot Graxsd Smiths Head.
The bu llet missed Smiths head by a
scratch, grazing his right ear and
slightly burning. it. When detectives
reached the house. Smith who had re-
manned there. was placed under arrest.
Mrs. SIN It'll. who was found at drug
store several blocks distant, was also
arrested. The story told by Smith diff
fers but slight in the essential details.
Smith denies that he had the weapon
in his pocket and declares that after
reaching the house Mrs. Smith got the
gun from drawer in the commode,
and immediately declared her intention
OF killing him, and that it was with the
one idea of saving his life that he
closed in on her.
He- Parents Are Wealthy.
The parents Of Mrs. Smith are
wealthy lnd Mr. Smith at one time was
possessed of considerable wealth, los
ing heavily in an investment In an
electric light plant at Sheldon. The
couple have resided here for the past
i've years. Smith is employed as a
night m;lchinist in the Union Pacific
shops at Omaha. Being away constant
ly at night it is said he has had time
to brood over his imaginary or real
wrongs. It is said that about two
years ago Smith began to voice these
suspicious against his. wife, and the
topic has been q live one in the family
household since. AS a result Of this
trouble the couple were separated for a
short time. About month ago Smith
took his troubles to the police. He
showed The officers letter which he
claimed had been received by his wife
from female chum, and certain sug-
gestions in the letter were construed
by smitl, to indicate that the women
were sharing guilty secrets
W,,man Accuses Husband.
Mrs. Smith charges that her husband
has frequently threatened to commit
suicide ind that when doing so he
would SO arrange matters and circum-
stances as to throw suspicion upon
her as icing his murderer. She says
she feared he would carry out his
threats and that she has been greatly
worried over the matter. After his ar
rest tn urged the officers not to
arrest his wife and insisted that If
anyone was to be arrested he was the
one that should be taken. Mrs. Smith
is woman of apparent refinement.
Worn an 10 Held Under Charge.
The officers were at first at loss to
know what charge to place against the
couple and finally Mrs. Smith was
arraigned on the charge of
shooting with intent to kill. No charge
was plac ed against her husband. Both
were released under bond
FUGITIVE FoRcER ARRESTED.
Case Of Charles L. Wyman, at Imosene,
Is Peculiarly Pathetic One.
Special. to Timesi-Republican
Shenandoah, Jan. AFTER four
years spent in hiding to escape ar