The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-12-31

| BALTIMORE, MD, December 31.--
As the tragic ending of double ro-
nance which began In Virginia about
three years ago William Strickler ~
years old shot and instantly killed
hts wife, Flora Strickler. 40 years old,
and his stepaaughter. Eula Kite, ls
years old. ut 1:4S O'Clock yesterday
afternoon at their home. 2417 East
Lafayette ~ enue. Then turning the
pistol upon himself he sent bullet
through his right temple from the re-
suits OF which he died at 1890 o'clock
last night at st. Joseph's hospital.
The other members OF the family.
Myrtle Kite, II years old, and Clar-
encc Kite. Is years old. narrowly
escaped with their lives, for 1t was
the ayowed intention OF Strickier TO
annihilate the whole family.
The chief cause Of the tragedy IS
believed to have been Strickler's OBJ
lection TO the attentions received by
Mas Kite from Raleigh Newman. 1929
North Patterson Park avenue. who ~
reported to have wife from whom
he has not been divorced and three
children living In Harrisonburg, Va.
his former home. Miss Kite was en-
couraged by her mother in allowing
lNawmau's attentions. and this was re-
Karded AZ the main cause which rent
the family.
Newman last night admitted that ne
had been married to Miss Emma
Rigging. of Harrisonburg, Va. Ave
years ago, when he was is years old
and his bride was Is, but states that
his wife had secured q divorce from
him Is months ago on the ground
OF desertion. At that time. he said.
his wife and he had not lived together
for two years.
Victims second Husband.
Strickler met his wife. who was
divorced from her first husband. about
nine years ago In Shenandoah, Page
county, Va. Shortly afterward she
moved to Harrisonourg and Was fol-
lowed by 6trickier. According to the
son, Clarence, he was ardent In mrs
attention. Last February the fam
ily with Stricken, moved to Ealti-
more. and Strickler and Mrs Kite
were married two days later. They
lived on Montford avenue, until two
months ago. when the family moved
to 2417 Eas- Lafayette avenue.
The surviving children say that for
the past month or two the step
father constantly accused the mother
| OF infidelity and threatened to XIII
the whole family. but. as they ro-
garded him as a coward. they paid no
attention to his threats.
The daughter. Euia. was engaged
to be married to Newman. He moved
TO Baltimore because the Kites had
done so. Srrickler and Newman had
trouble in Harr.sonburz. whore
II Stricken had been employed BY New
man and had been discharged. On
account OF this enmity he had for
hidden Eula tc go with Newman. In
spite Of the threat Of Stricken to kill
them both, the couple continued their
| courtship aad were to be married
shortly. The mother took the part
of the daughter. and this was the
l Hfera 0f ~ Rol hofy ~,
:. the husband and wife.
: Girls Ftance Vows Vengeance.
Newman, when told Of the tragedy
. ~ his boarding house, which he en-
: tered joking and laughing when he
!. returned from work at o'clock yes
!. terriay afternoon. gave way to his feel
= ings and fell In tears into the arms
= of the dead girls sister. For while
he refused to believe the news but
when he did understand he said:
Il swear II Strickler doesn't die In
|, the hospital, he will die the tirst time
:. ! see him. I'd give my life to XIII the
4 dog. There lie no more in life for me
: Ny God. Is my girl dead I've got to
. see her. Where IL she?"
r Upon being told that he could not
see the body before this morning he
;. sank into silent grief.
!. When shot the dead girl was wear
ing q bracelet he had given her for a
! Christmas present.
+ Had Arranged for Party.
4 Mrs. Smith said that Miss Kite had
called her over the telephone about
|, IL o'clock and asked for Newman
= When told that he had not come in
= tor dinner she said that she was not
:. going to work yesterday. but gave no
: reason. Mrs. Smith said that her
a voice sounded as II she we're weepins :.
:, but che refused to tell the trouble
The occasion Of the visit to Mrs.
Smiths home Thursday night was TO
= arrange for party to have been hold
:. Monday night in honor Of Miss Eula-
J. Clarence and Myrtle said they be-
: lieved that Stricken Intended 10 kill
y them all. but was diverted by some
unknown cause. But Z few days ago,
they said. he chased Clarence out Of
the house. and. curstng him and the
entire family, threatened to kill them
!, Their life. declared the children. had
Y been made miserable by their step
father. and had he killed only himself
the children said that thers would
They said that while Stricklor never
q drank to excess he never held one
= position long.
A special dispatch from Harrison
burg. Va, says:
Mrs. William Stricken. formerly
Mrs Kite. and daughter. Eula. came
!. from Page county and worked here
y about q year ~ dressmaker and left
q for Baltimore in March. She was
d quite poor and moved from place to
A pace. out dressed we'll.
Raleigh g. Newman, who was en-
gaeed to Eula. II native Of West
9 keckinxhain and lived hare with
! Mrs Higgins. is he1v now with their
three children. Newman IN r main.