The Washington herald., 1910-10-02
POLICEMAN KILLS
WIFE ON STREET
Continued from Page one.

Continued from Page One.
once. quiet with the stiffness OF death,
II seemed, we're former Inspector Of Po-
lice Swindes. Capt Schneider. Detective
Evans. Policeman Lipscomb. Precinct
Detective McGnl Grove. and several
newspaper men. The door opened and
Baston. his head downward and his eyes
on The floor entered. His face was
flushed and his eyes bloodshot He wore
blue pants. blue shirt. with no collar.
and was in his stocking feet. Without
looking up at the men about him, Baston
seated himself in chair
silence at station.
Fully a minute elapsed before the ST.
lence was broken. every eye fixed on the
cowed figure. whose only movement was
that Of his chest. rising and falling rapid
ly as though he was breathing with diff
nculty. He kept his eyes closed and did
not stir. Finally, Capt Schneider said:
DO you wish 10 make a statement,
Baston? You know the law"
There was another interval of silence
and then Detective Evans spoke He said:
This is not only embarrassing but
painful 10 both OF US Baston, and II you
intend TO say nothing l wish you would
tell me so.
Baston did not speak, He turned fur
Their around, so that the detective might
not see his face Then Evans asked
score OF question. bat they were not an
sWered
That's about all. captain, said Evans.
Baston arose suddenly. looked down al
his chair, and then in a calm. clear voice.
heard by every man In the room, said;
Il wish you could let me have blanket
and a pillow captain
"Al right" answered Schneider, and
Baston left the room. walking rapidly.
as though he was anxious 90 escape from
the sight of the men among whom he had
worked
SquabbIe at Home.
The story of the events leading up 10
the tragedy deals with the intimate his
tory OF a man and woman whose quar-
rels can be traced 10 their love for
liquor. Baston received his monthly pay
OF Ss9 before noon yesterday and went on
duty at o'clock in the afternoon. 1t
seems he went directly home and, accord
ing 10 relatives of the couple. squabble
ensued. aBston had little 20 say, but his
wife appeared much incensed when he
said he intended going out al night
The woman wanted Baston 10 give her
his salary and he refused. II Is said.
What became OF the money has not been
learned by the police The body OF Mrs.
Raston was searched. but she had not
concealed the roll about her person. Bias
ton did not have II when arrested.
The quarrel continued until after $50
O'Clock. when BastOn left the house
and started walking north in ThiTtieth
street toward NJ street. When he reached
NJ street he was stopped b. his wife,
who had followed him from the house.
She caught him by the arm AMI led him
toward the house. swearing loudly and
reproachlng him, it is said. When they
were near the house II is said Mrs.
Baston struck her husband in the face
with her fist sending him Keeling against
high board fence. Baston said nothing
and did not reply 10 her verbal attack.
They proceeded for several yards, and
then il is said the woman make re
mark about shooting
What words she used may never be
known Baston was heard to say. the
police alege: Well, if that is what you
want. here goes"
He drew his revolver. and standing not
five feet from the woman, fired.
The first bullet entered her head and
the second took effect as she struck the
ground Then followed short interval
in which BastoH' bent over the PROSTATE
foorm. and, placing the revolver close 10
the woman's head. pulled the trigger
twice IN rapid succession. Standing erect
again. the policeman held the weapon
az arms length. pointed IL al his head.
and pulled the trigger. Had the shot
been an inch lower IL would have torn
the top Of his skull open.
Policeman Nine Years.
Baston has been a member OF the police
department for about nine years. He be-
gan sertsce in the Third precinct. but be-
came involved in difficulty. which re-
suited in his transfer 20 the Eighth pre-
cinct He was transferred 10 the Seventh
precinct, April q. 1906. About two weeks
ago Baston was tried before the police
trial board on a charge of intoxication
and fined SO
The history OF his early life is not
known 10 his former associates. He
once said ne had served as a sailor In
the United states Navy, and Il is known
he gained a livelihood for a time by
working on a canal boat between Cum
berland. Nd. and this city His wifes
maiden name was Catherine Magruder
She was a native of Cumberland. but
came 10 this city to live after she mar
rled Alonzo Donaldson, a canal boatmsn
Two children were born 10 the couple
John Donaldson. twenty years old, and
Harry donaldson, eighteen. Both BOYS
lived with their mother after her mar
riage TO Baston, about five years ago
Mrs. Donaldson was the mother of one
child by her second marriage. The child
is a girl Of two years now.