The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-07-26
KILLS HIS WIFE
AND HIMSELF.
Massachusetts, Man Waylays Daugh-
ter of Wealthy Citizen and Cushes
Life Out With CLUB. lu

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. July ga
Waylaying his beautiful wife on
lonely country road and striking her
down with an old Indian tomahawk.
Robert K. Tanning. OF Westport, fed
TO his home. wrote a startling letter
TO the Chief OF Police at New Bedford
In which he blessed his dead wife.
drove TO New Bedford. delivered the
letter In the central police station and
then In the presence OF three Npolics
officers. blew out his brains. ~
The crime was spectacular and
weird. Tanning literally hacked his
wife to death with the tomahawk.
which he recovered from the grave Of
an old Indian chief near here.
Fnnning's crime was caused b.
drink.
Five years ago. Tanning. II man In
moderate circumstances. met Tina
Hall. the beautiful daughter OF George
Hail. the wealthiest man In Westport,
enjoying an income or $4,000 rear
Mrs. Tanning was a reigning boau-
ty. For two years they lived happily
Then Tanning began TO drink and
there were frequent quarrels. The
birth OF a baby girl failed TO heal tie
breach.
Sunday the couple had violent
quarrel and Mrs flaming, Ia alarm,
fed TO the home OF George Trip.
miller. half a mile distant She left
Trips house at =: 80 o'clock las; night
To return TO her home. Tanning way
laid her on the west side OF Lyons
Brook and beat her 10 death with the
tomahawk hiding her body In the
bushes. where 1t was found today. nor.
ribly mangled.
Tanning then returned to his homo
where he wrote the following weird
at New Bedford
To Whom 1t May Concern:
| am very. very sorry for what
has occurred and the public can
Judge for themselves II was too
hasty and likewise my wife, God
bless her. Ny baby Is still Twins
by this time. God bless her and
hope she viii never know what
happened 10 her good father and
mother. loved my child better
than myself May God give me His
blessing and 10 my child everlast-
ing good viii. ! have had a good
deAl 10 put up WIN anu h't ebN -
near.
Trusting my baby Will have the
best 81 care. she Is one OF the
best babies that ever lived. IL is
hard TO leave such a happy child
Oh. God. wish ! could live TO
comfort my child, she has every
thing TO 1--we for. | hope she VIII
benefit By H. as there is enough
for her To be wealthy. l would Ike
To have my baby join us, but as
cruel as am. ] have no heart for
such work Ny wlfes body lays
on the west side LYONS Brook.
about so feet To the south or the
bushes Please give IL your imme-
diate attention and remove the
same as soon as possible. Az my
request. please bury US both to-
gether. Trusting you VIII do your
duty l remain.
Yours Very Truly
tSigned) ROBERT NJ. TANNING.
Tanning then entered his automobile
and drove to Parker's garage In this
city where he stabbed his car and pro.
ceeded on foot TO the police station
where he delivered the letter and ask.
d that II be delivered 10 the chief OF
rolice a. soon as he returned.
Then. walking out into the presence
az l.ieutenants Comstock and Wing
and police officer. Tanning calmly
drew revolver as they rushed to.
ward him 10 disarm him, deliberately
fred shot into his own brain.