Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-20
TRAGIC SOUND BY TELEPHONE
YOUNG w01GAN HEARS SISTERS
SWEETHEART KILL HIMSELF.
Edward r. Taylor Fires Several
Shots Into Ceiling and Then
One Through Brain.

With details decidedly out of the ordi-
nary. Edward r. Taylor, twenty EIGHT
years of age. last evening committed sui
side. 1t was his intention to have his
sweetheart. Miss Regina Georgius. resid-
ing at 1919 Pennsylvania avenue, hear the
fatal shot by telephone. but she happened
to be away from home when he called up.
Her sister. Miss Lillian Georgius. answer
ed the phone bell however. and heard the
reproduction OF the report of the revolver.
She also heard Ave other sounds. When
the report Of the last shot had died away
all was silent, and although Taylor had
said he intended to kill himself. Miss
Georgius thought he was joking and did
not realize the seriousness Of the situa-
ton until she was told he was dead.
1t is said that Taylor had been de-
spondent because of business troubles
during the past week. He called at the
ed until after dinner. saying he would see
Miss Regina last night. During the late
afternoon and early evening. he kept the
telephone busy calling Miss Regina
Georgius. He wanted her to meet him at
Pennsylvania avenue and 9th street. but
she declined to comply with the request.
saying there was no good reason why he
should not call at the house. 1t is be-
lieved that he did not~want to go there,
however, because he had been drinking.
When he had ,conWersed with the young
lady several times his nephew. William
f. Barber. suggested that he "cut out"
the telephone business for the night.
Shots in Rapid Succession.
Taylor again called over the telephone
about s:45 o'clock and asked that Miss
Regina be summoned to the instrument
uyh
phone, assured Taylor that Miss Regin&
was out. but Taylor thought his. inform
ant said that because the young woman
did not want to be bothered by him
again.
Then" Taylor said, have her come to
the phone.
Miss Lillian Georgius then went to the
receiver and heard what Taylor had to
say. 1t appears that Miss Regina had
an earnest conversation with Taylor as
to his alleged intemperance. and he Is
said to have remarked that she would be
sorry for what she stated to him. Over
the telephone he told Miss Lillian that
Miss Regina would be sorry. for what
she had said to him when she should read
of what he had done. and concluded the
brief talk by directing her to listen. An
instant later she heard the report Of a
pistol Four other reports followed in
rapid succession. There was a pause and
then the fatal shot was nred.
Efforts to Prevent Tragedy.
William E. Barber. the nephew, was
trying to prevent the tragedy, but the
armed man drove him away by threaten
ing to shoot him. When Taylor pushed
his nephew aside, in the hall where the
telephone was located, he turned the
weapon toward his temple and fired the
fatal shot. Taylor then released his hold
on the telephone. dropped the revolver
and fell upon the floor.
Barber hurried from the house and
summoned a policeman. A call was sent
to the Casualty Hospital. DR.. Conklin
responded. made an examination Of the
body and found. life was extinct. Capt.
Mathews called Miss Georgius by tele-
phone and informed her. of what Taylor
had done. Miss Regina. her mother and
sister were almost Frustrated by the at
fair. Coroner hewitt heard what wit
nesses had to say and gave the necessary
death certificate.
Edward r.. Taylor. was manager Of the
saloon 1st and II streets for his
brother. william c.. Taylor. Another
brother. Samuel A. Taylor is In business
at 212 9th street.
The body was removed today to the
home Of a brother OF the deceased 9Th
and G streets southwest. The funeral
will take place fro mthere. s-.s