Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-14
MURDER AND SUICIDE
Kramer Prevents Mrs. Har-
bins Return to Husband.
HE HAD BROKEN UP HOME
His Partner Left Wife Because Of
His Attentions.
SHE WAS MOTHER OF SEVEN
Woman, Al Years Old, Slain by
23-Year-Old Admirer When She
Plans to Go Back Home.
SHE WAS MOTHER OF SEVEN

A double tragedy was enacted late yes
terday afternoon at 100 N street south
| east. when Frederick Kramer, a timer.
| shot and killed Mrs. Elizabeth Hardin
| and then shot himself. Mrs. Hardin died
instantly and Kramer q few minutes
after the shooting.
Mrs. Harbip's announcement to Kramer
| that she intended to return to her hus-
band, from whom she had been separated
for three months, is the cause of the
deed. Mrs. Hardin was the wife Of Dan
lei Hardin, machinist In the navy yard.
She was the mother Of seven children.
Mrs. Hardin, who was forty-one years
Of age, resided with several Of her chill
dren at HOO N street southeast Kramer,
made his home at 1914 18th street south
east.
Some years ago he and Hardin were
partners In q wood ana coal business, but
later dissolved. Hardin secured employ
ment at the navy yard.
The husband FOR a time paid no atten-
ton to the frequent visits of his former
partner to his home. Then he told his
wife he would obtain lodging elsewhere
and would see that the children were
provided for.
Plea Fails; Bullet Succeeds.
He told several friends recently that he
was going to return to his wife. The
news reached Kramer. He went to Mrs.
Hardin and demanded an explanation.
The woman told him she was tired Of
the estrangement and meant to live with
her husband. Failing in his efforts to OBJ
tain Mrs. Harbins promise to remain
away from her husband. Kramer grew
desperate. The shooting followed
The husband had called to see his wife
about 30 o'clock yesterday afternoon at
her shome. Both agreed to forget their
differences and live peaceably together.
He left shortly before 4 o'clock to go to
the navy yard.
No sooner had he left than Kramer put
In an appearance. He went to the door
of the house and raped. Mrs. Hardin re-
utes at the door and then entered the
house.
What happened in the room before the
tragedy occurred will never be known. as
no one else was present. John J. Welsh,
who occupies a room on the second floor
was the only other adult in the house
Several of Mrs. Harbin's children, how
ever, were in another part Of the house.
What Probably Happened.
1t is thought that Kramer pleaded with
Mrs Hardin to remain away from her
IlUSDdHO OiiOi lily UclolC - " tIoSh ohC
left the house and walked a few blocks
in the vicinity Of her home. probably
hoping Kramer would leave. She later re-
turned.
About 5:15 O'Clock Welsh, who was in
his room on the second floor, heard two
shots fired in rapid succession. After an
interval of possibly minute there was
another shot.
Welsh walked downstairs and looked
to- md into
had heard Mrs. Hardin leave the house
but did not hear her return. Therefore
he did not think of opening the door lead
ing to her apartments. He returned to
his room.
Within few minutes two Of the chill
dren Eugene and Ethel, entered the
house. Going to their mothers room.
they found her and Kramer dead. lying
across the bed.
Mrs Harbin's shirt waist was soiled
from two wounds in her breast. A wound
was in Kramer's head.
Eugene pushed his little sister from
the room and closed the door. He ran
from the house crying. Policeman Wood
Of the fifth precinct learned from him
what the boy knew. He called an ambu-
lance and then went to the house.
DIR. Mofit arrived with the ambulance
Of the Casualty Hospital. The man and
woman were already dead.
Hardin Hurries Back.
Mr. Hardin was at work at the navy
yard when a friend told him Of the
shooting He returned to his home, to
find his wife, whom he had left but a
few hours before, cold in death. The
weapon, five-chamber .32-caliber re-
volver, was found near the two bodies.
Three discharged shells were in its
chambers.
Her husband and seven children, Mrs.
John Gregg, Wilmer Hardin, nineteen
years of age; George. sixteen: Eugene.
fifteen; Ethel, fourteen; William, eleven.
and Virginia, four years Of age, survive
Mrs. Hardin.
The remains were turned over to Tn
dertakers Thomas r. Nalley & Sons, 1881
burial The funeral is to take place Sa.-
urday afternoon from her late home The
funeral of Kramer will be held Sunday
afternoon from his late home.