The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-07-26
SLAYER ENDS LIFE,
CONF ESSION IN HAND
Murderer of Wife Kills Him
self in Police Head
quarters.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass, July 26.-After
wayIaying his beautiful wife on lone
" country road and striking her down
with an old Indian t0mahawk, Robert
u. RAINING, OF WestpOrt, fed 20 his
home, wrote a startling letter 10 the
chief of police of New Bedford delivered
the letter in the Central police station
early this morning. and then. in the
presence of three police officers, blew
out his brains. dying almost instantly.
Tanning literally hacked his wife to
death with the tOmahawk, which he had
dug from the grave of an old Indian
chief near here. Fanning's crime was
caused by drink.
Five years ago Tanning, man in
moderate circumstances, met Tina Hall,
the beautiful daughter of George Hall,
the Wealthiest man in Westport, enjoy
ing an income Of $1,000 a year.
Was Reigning Beauty.
Mrs Tanning was a reigning beauty.
For two years they lived happily. Then
Tanning began began to drink and
there were frequent quarrels. The birth
OF a baby failed to heal the breach
Sunday the couple had a violent quar-
rel and Mrs. Tanning, in alarm, fled TO
half a mile distant. she ieIt there at
$50 clock last night 20 return 70 heF
framing waylaid her on the west side
OF Lyons Brook, ana beat her 10 oealh
with the tOmahaWk. hiding her bOuy IN
the bushes, where II was found To-Day
horribly mangled.
banning then returned to his home,
where he wrote the IolIo"lhs " etiu re-
ter, addressed TO the chief OF police at
New RedfOTd-
Fanning's Letter.
'sTo Wohm it May Concern:
II am very. very sorry. for what has
occurred, and the public can judge for
themselves II / was net too nasty ana
likewise my wife. God bless her My
baby is still living by this tmes God
bless her, and 1 hope she VIII never
Know what happened 10 her good father
and mother. ] loved my child better
than myself. May God give me HIS
blessings and to my child everlasting
good viii. / have had a good deal 10
Dut I'D with, and the end is near.
Trusting my baby VIII nave the pest
OF care as she is one of the best babies
that ever lived. 1t is hand TO leave such
q happy child, by my God, 1 must.
Oh God, I wished / could live 70 COM
fort my child. she has everything to
live for hope she VIII benefit by il,
as there IS enough for her TO be
wealthy. I would like to have Tny baby
join US, but as cruel as / am, have no
heart for such. NV WifeS body lays on
the west side Of Lyons Brook, about
fifty feet 10 the south Of the bushes.
Please give il your immediate attention
and remove same as soon as possible.
At nv request, please bury Us both to-
gether. Trusting you will do your duty.
I remain. Yours truly,
ROBERT u. TANNING.
sP. S-Don't fail to look for my
wtfe's body and remove same as soon
as possible. On, my Cod what have
Up. S.-Be sure and put my baby in
good hands. My folks VIII take her,
as ] wish. which is my last wish. Hop
ing MY baby Will be looked after as
I know nv folks viii attend TO il, good
bye Pa and Ma brothers and sisters,
and all my friends. God bless you all,
not forgetting my own Tiesh and blood,
my baby. Mrs. Murray is a kind wOm-
an and I must not forget her. God bless
heri am sorry for what I have done.
Please give my ring and belongings
10 my brother WILL
Drives to Garage.
Tanning then entered his automobile
and drove 10 Parkers garage in this
city. where he left his car and walked
10 the Central Police Station. He was
greatly excited when he walked uD 10
Police Lieutenant COmsUOck's desk
shortly after 30 o'clock this morning.
A4E SAEe--AIA himself HAA4 4iA-lt-llAle TO SIX
Lieutenant COmstOck TO read the letter.
The officer perused a part OF the con-
tents and then turned 10 Tanning:
What 90 you want me TO 90 about
IhisT'
flaming lacOnically answered. "Just
this, and drew revolver, the muzzle
OF which he placed in his mouth Lieu
tenants Conlstock and Wing and a pri-
vaJe policeman rushed toward Fan
ming. but before they could reach him
he had pulled the trigger and sent a
bullet into bis brain. DIVING Instantly.