The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-12-16

Vernon, where he had been employed
in a handle factory. He formerly
worked here, his last position being at
Plummer and Metzgers livery stable.
She was rather inclined to believe
Mrs. Buffers story, which is given
below.
Mrs. Butler says she married Butler
In Chillicothe some thirteen years
ago, but has not been living with him
for some time past. She has been
married before, having children In Co.
lumbus by q former husband.
OF late she has been employed as
a domestic at Buckeye, where she said
she received letter purporting to be
from her brother, in which he said he
was in Lima. He further said that he
had been injured and as 1t was going
to be necessary to amputate one of
his arms, he would like to have her
present during the operation.
When she arrived in Lima one week
ago Saturday, she discovered that it
was merely ruse employed by her
husband to get her here, but she
agreed to remain with him a week or
ten days. 1t is probable that her de-
termination to again leave him had
something to do with his actions Sat
urday evening.
Immediately after supper, they went
up street together, made few minor
purchases, visited one or two of the
five cent theatres, and returned home
about $3.50. Leaving HIS wife at home,
he again went up street, and this time
was gone for some time.
Upon returning, his first act was to
change his clothes. Then following a
violent TRADE of abuse upon her, hav-
ing it's elimination in his getting his
gun and vowing to kill her at once.
She attempted TO demonstrate with
him, and there ensued a struggle for
the possession of the gun, which she
claims to have succeeded in break
ing once, throwing the cartridges on
the floor. He then seized her by the
hair and threw her violently to the
floor, her head striking the edge of
the bed during the fall.
While she took refuge under the bed
he went to his trunk and again loaded
the revolver. She is positive that she
heard shot prior to the fatal one
and declared that he killed himself
because he believed himself to have
killed her. AS the investigation
showed but one chamber of the gun
empty, this late statement can hardly
be credited.
The Glover sisters occupy room
separated from Buffers room only by
thin partition. One of them who is
employed at the Hoffman House, says
she was awake throughout the whole
quarrel, and substantiated Mrs. But
ler's evidence in every particular.
Mr.. J. G. Stapleton, who called the
police, was asleep during the whole
trouble, and was awakened by Mrs
Butler as before described. He had
only known Butler during the time
| he had roomed at the Donaldson
home, but said he seemed to be so
ber, industrious man. Constant wor
ry over his domestic troubles he be
lieved had deranged his mind.
Accompanied by Mayor Dyer and
Chief of Police Vermillion, Corone,
Pfeiffer again visited the Donaldson
home Sunday afternoon, and secured
the statement of Mrs. Butler as to the
shooting. She will be detained how
ever until the decision of the coroner
is made.
1t is believed by all who have pait
any attention to the case that the
fatal shot was fired during the strug
gle between the man and his wife fol
the gun.
Prior to the coroner's inquiry thi!
morning, tests were made at police
station by the coroner and the chic
as to what effects on ones skin woult
be made by holding revolver at diff
ferent distances from the body. 4
piece of papeF was used as target
BY holding the gun six inches away
the paper was completely perforate'
for some distance from the bulle
hole, and badly powder burned. A
fifteen inches away, the paper wa
badly perforated and powder burn
were again found. At thirty inches
slight perforations and powder burn
were distinguishable.
An examination of the dead man
wound under a magnifying glass dis
closed no powder burns or scorche
hair whatsoever, which would dis
prove any supposition that the ma
killed himself.
At the coroner's examination held i
his office at ten o'clock Monday morI
ing. the following witnesses were e1