New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-10-25
SHOT CHORUS GIRL
EX-CONVICT TRIES TO
KILL WIFE.
Husband Then Commits Sui
eide an Washington
Station.
[Frorn The tribune Bureau. I

stage as Evelyn Howard, was shot in
the back three times to-day by her hus-
band as she was leaving a carriage at
the Union Station. Short then turned
the revolver on himself, and fell at his
wife's feet with a bullet in his right
temple. He died two hours later at the
Casualty Hospital Mrs. Short will re-
cover.
The shooting followed a series Of quar-
rels between the couple. The husband
was q paroled convict from Sing Sing,
where he served five years. Recently he
was employed in New York as a trav
elling salesman. When Short was sent
to prison; his wife, obliged to support
herself. found employment as a chorus
girl at the Hippodrome and with
"Forty-five Minutes from Broadway
company. When a parole was granted
her husband Mrs. Short returned to live
with him. She left him because of his
alleged cruelty and returned TO the
stage. She joined The Motor Girl
company a few weeks ago, and came to
Washington with that company a week
ago to-day.
REGISTERS AS BROOKLYNITE.
Short came to Washington on Friday
and registered at a local hotel, where
his wife was staying, as G. H. Reeves,
of Brooklyn. He endeavored to per-
suade his wife to quit the stage and re-
turn to New York with him. Mrs. Short
persisted that she had won her right to
her own independence, and again re-
fused. Accompanied by Miss Maude
Caldwell, another member of the COM
pany she left the hotel this morning for
the station. She .vainly tried TO elude
her husband, but the latter followed, and
told her he would plead with her again
to turn from the stage. When they
reached the station Short made his final
entreaty, and when he was again re-
buffed the tragedy ensued.
To witnesses 1t appeared that Mrs.
Short, much terrified. had jumped from
the cab drawn up at the west portico OF
the station and had attempted to run
when Short pulled his revolver, and,
rushing at the woman. fired bullet into
her shoulder She fell at the first shot.
and the man then stood over her and
sent two more bullets through her body.
Without a moments hesitation, evident
ly believing that he had killed his wife,
Short turned the revolver on himself and
sent a bullet into his right temple. He
fell at the feet of his unconscious wife.
WOMAN HELD AS WITNESS.
Miss Caldwell was detained by the po-
lice as witness, but on Shorts death
soon afterward she was released and was
permitted to proceed with her company
to Pittsburg.
In the room which Short occupied at
the hotel the police discovered card
bearing the following words:
William H. Short, representing Auto
lite Manufacturing Company, self-light-
ing cigarettes, No. 339-341 Sixth avenue,
Newark. n. j."
Short was apparently without funds
He had made two Intellectual attempts to
get checks cashed, it is said. Mrs. Mary
Lewis, living at No. East 111th street,
New York City who is believed TO be
the mother of Mrs. Short, was notified Of
the tragedy, and is expected here late
awaiting advices as to it's disposition.
When Mrs. Short was not on the road
with theatrical company she lived with
her mother in New York. Last year she
was q member of the american Idea
company and the "Follies of 1909" She
was formerly Evelyn Lewis. Of Jackson
Vile. Fla, and married Short who is a
native of Livingston, Ala. about seven
years ago They lived in New York,
where he was employed as a bookkeepcr
in a bank, but soon after their marriag ge
the man got into the clutches of the
law through alleged misappropriation of
funds. Mrs. Short told the police, when
she regained consciousness at the hos
pital.
William II. Short appears to have been
a man o. great ability in hoodwinking
people. According to Herman LOebel. of
No 80 East 9th street. the owner of an
apartment house at that address, he in
serted an advertisement iii newspaper In
1sO4 seeking the services of man to act
as superintendent of the property while
he was visiting the St. Louis Exposition.
In answer to this advertisement, Loebel
saws. ShCrt appeared dl tuc muse, anu
made so excellent an impression that he
was engaged on the spot Loebel went 10
St. Louis with a mind free from care and
Short was left in charge
When Loebel returned, some months
later 1t was TO find that Short had forged
his name to checks and appropriated rents
10 the extent of 5000. Seeking an ex-
planation from Short, he discovered that
his new superintendent had fled Loebel
started an investigation, and discovered
that Short had been married year previ-
Gus to Evelyn Howard (or Lewis) The
wife was found, and said she had been left
destitute by Short. and with her aid Short
was found a week later. He pleaded with
I.oebel. and said he would turn over a
new leaf if another chance was given him.
Loebel was impressed that he re-em-
ployed Short and even raised the young
mans salary Everything went well for
two weeks. and then Short disappeared.
He was captured as he was about to sail
for Savannah and taken to a cell. where
- ,,, bB. throat in an attempt 10 commit