The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-17

James P. Reed. a plasterer, twenty-st
years old. Of Brentwood. D. c.. fire,
two shots from a .32-caIiber revolver int
the body Of his wife, Sarah Knowle
Reed. about 3 o'clock yesterday after
noon. and. evidently satisfied he hat
killed her. placed the weapon against hi
right temple and sent a bullet into hi
brain.
The ball came out through the ca
drum on the left side Of mis- head. an,
death was instantaneous.
The tragedy occurred in a small room
used as a sleeping apartment by Mrs
Reed and her mother IN the rear OF ;
small grocery store kept by Mrs Rec
and from the revenue Of which she sup
ported herself and her aged and Grip
pied mother The latter was the onE
witness 20 the tragedy. but was in sucl
an excited condition she could give NJ
details OF the shooting.
From a statement given the physl
clans. Drs. Harry Nalley. OF Noun
Rainier and Thomas r. Latimer, tn,
wounded woman said her husband cant
into her room. and. after speaking L
his mother-ln-law and herself. wlthou
warning. placed his arm about her an'
fred two shots. one taking effect IN he
neck and the other penetrating the ab
domen she fen on the floor, and. think
ing she was killed. Reed fired the sho
into his brain. his body falling across
her.
Called for Help.
Mrs. Knowles, terrified. called for help
and neighbors ran 90 the house an'
placed the wounded woman in bed Dr
Naney was summoned lie called aI
ambulance from Casualty Hospital. ant
Mrs Reed was removed 20 that institu
ton. Reeds body was taken 20 the un
dertaking establishment OF Franci
Gasch. in Bladensburg.
a.
moned a jury of inquest. composed o
Harry Mccormick. foreman, John Nc
Cormick. William s. Rogers. Joseph Far
den. Julius Reiners, Thomas ". Scott
Benjamin Harvey. r. f Hodges. Z. r
Stokes. George D. Green. Thomas Uns
worth, and f. c. McGnl. Being unabt
TO find any one who could throw Hgh
on the tragedy, the inquest was con
tinued until $50 o'clock this evening. a
Coroner Dahler's Office in Bladensburg.
The dead man and his wife had beer
separated for about two years. the form
er living with his parents in Evans
street. Brentwood 1t is said Reed ap
peared at his fathers house about
o'clock and procured the revolver witt
which he did the shooting. He gave n,
intlmation OF his intentions. appearing Il
be in a cheerful frame OF mind. Wher
he entered his wifes modest apartmen
his demeanor did not indicate his pur
pose. The salutation given his mother
ln-law and wife made them think hi
mission was Of a friendly nature
Neighbors say Reed had frequently
pleaded with his wife to bury their differ
ences. and allow him TO live with her
again. but she turned n deaf ear TO hi
entreaties II Is intimGted she enter
tained men friends. and il is sugReste,
this may have angered him to the pOin
OF desperation. Reed told his uncle
John White. yesterday morning he be
lieved he was losing his mind. but h
did not indicate the nature Of his trouble
II g said Mrs. Reed had recently insti
tuted proceedings for divorce, and tina
Reed had been attempting TO procur
evidence upon which to base defense.
The injured woman has been conduct
ing the store In Brentwood FOR abou
three years. and has been fairly success
ful. she lived with her mother, her only
child having died about year ago. sh'
has a brother living In Canada Neigh
bors say Reed was rather fond OF drink
and did not work regular at his trade.
Deputy Sheriff George +. StOnell AM
Constable Wallace 9. Raybold are en-
gagged in obtaining all possible informa
ton for the benefit of the inquest Ray
bold has the gun with which the shoot
ing was done. Mrs. Rose 2. Gallowa,
has charge Of the premises. doing wha
she can to comfort the distracted mothe
of Mrs. Reed. A crowd from surround
ing towns gathered about the scene o
the tragedy. anxious to learn the details
Many Of them remained until midnight.
In Serious Condition.
At Casualty Hospital late last night I
was stated that Mrs Reed was in a serl
Gus condition. An operation was per
formed. from which the patient rallied
but at late hour the physicians de
clared she had only a slight chance L
recover. One Of the bullets entered tn
neck and the other the left side. pene
trating the liver. This wound is regard
ed as the most dangerous
Mrs. Reed Is about twenty-five year
old. She had pretty and refined features
The mother Of Reed is prostrated b
grief. 1t was necessary to have doctor
with her last night. She declares she al
WAYS knew her son was not exactly II
his right mind. and that he would do him
self and his wife serious harm sooner O
later.
nuRU-OaH. nIuca - nI