The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-10-14
FREED FROM BLAME
OF KILLING SISTER
George H. Hale AbSolved by
jury Verdict of Acct
dental Death

What comfort couid be CLEANED from
verdict Of accidental death was
given 10 George Il Hale today when
the Coroner's jury held that although
MS was The hand which held the
weapon by which his sister. Josephine
hale, was killed, he himself is IN no
way responsible.
The verdict was no surprise to Hale
or 10 his friends He was not even
called to the stand.
bhe jury We're content with the tes-
umony OF Mrs. Elizabeth Elliott, her
small son Rodney, who played around
tales knee while he cleaned the gun
Iast night in the family home. 128 T.
street and Mrs. Jennie Schaefer an
other sister of the dead woman
The aged mother of the man sat
through the inquest quietly, nor was
she called 10 the stand.
The Coroner's Inquest.
The room in the little chapel-like
building surmounted by a cross,
known as the District morgue, was
filled this morning with friends and
relatives Of the stricken Hale family
The testimony was complete. Hale,
who lives at AIS c street, called at the
home of his mother yesterday even
ing His mother asked him to clean
a revolver for her. Hale was closing
the weapon, when II exploded, sending
9
him.
oh. I've killed her" Hale cried, when
his sister fell He refused 10 be com
torted. n his arms he held her long
after life had ceased, while the little
company, so lately happy, We're anX-
lously waiting the changing Of the am
oulance gong and the coming of the
police.
The transformation Of the Hale home.
l2S street, from a House of Mirth TO
one Of death last night was startling in
its coming. Miss Hale had been lean
ing across the table, TO be nearer her
brother while he cleaned the weapon,
which accidentally discharged. With the
explosion she CrUmpled and slipped TO
the floor
Dies In Few Minutes.
In a moment Hale had her in his
arms. calling to her She tried to speak
to him, and then lapsed into uncon-
seriousness. dying a few moments later.
Dumb with anxiety, the brother
stood by waiting for the police, whom
he himself suggested cummoning. When
they came he stopped and kissed the
lips of his dead sister.
This morning. while calm, Hale is
mig My neTyuOs- The trick OF fate
which made his the hand to admins
his tavorit sister has left its imprint
upon him.
Mrs Hale, the aged mother OF the
dead woman, too. is Frustrated
The witnesses who were called at the
morgue this morning all agreed that the
tragedy was the result Of an accident.
Hale, who lives al 40 G street south
east, called at the home Of his mother
yesterday evening about o'clock.
There he found a gathering Of relatives
and friends. including his mother, sister
Josephine. Mrs Elizabeth Elliott, her
small son, Rodney, and Miss Jennie
Schaefer.
They sat and talked about the dining
room table, and in the middle of the
conversation Mrs. Hale asked her son
10 clean a revolver which she brought
from q nearby cupboard
Hale took the weapon and carefully
unloaded it He wiped the cartridge
and exa mined il, while little Rodney.
10y Ike. climbed about his knees, and
wanted TO see the big gun
Mss Hale leaned across the table,
resting on her arms Never was there
more peaceful a gathering.
Why, 1 must hurry" said Hale
There's nothing the matter with this
gun
He started to replace the cartridges
and was in the act or setting the CYL
tnoer in place when the explosion came.
His sister crumpIed over the table.
Then she SID to the floor.
Taking the girl in his arms, Hale
cried 'Oh, I've killed herr"
He n d his ct while nbulance
from Casualty Hospital made the run 20
heI nome. She was dead.
Hale declares that he does not know
how the shooting happened. Il had
placed the cylinder halfway in position
Then 1 remember seeing my sister fall
frOrn her seat