The Washington herald., 1912-03-18

inside coat pocket just over Draper's
heart
Before Draper could stay Grifin the
wife murderer pointed the gun at his
own heart and pulled the trigger. The
bullet missed the heart by half an inch
and went through the left lung. Then
Griffin, with his last cartridge. placed
the muzzle to his head, just over the
right ear. and pulled the trigger, falling
dead with bullet through the brain.
The tragedy was enacted within a min
nte.
The double killing came as climax
to two lives that were stormy and hlled
with the happenings from which novels
are made. The woman at the age of two
years was left an orphan. Her parents
lived near Beltsville. Nd, and died. leav-
ing the girl without relatives. friends.
or means. William Durithy and his wife,
Abey Ann, who lived in Anacostia. heard
OF the girl and adopted her. When
Durithy and his wife died years ago they
left no record Of the name OF their adopt
ed daughter.
At the age OF eighteen she met John
10 care for her. They were married in
Anacostia, where the girl lived most OF
her life. and made their first home to-
gether In n between Half and First street
southwest. In a short time the girl
learned that her husband did not care
for her. He drank heavily. Four chill
dren were born. John, eight years old.
is now on a farm in South Carolina,
where he is being cared for by foster
parents.
Mary, aged seven years, and Margaret.
aged four, are at the Brucn Home, as
wards OF the Board OF Childrens Guar
dams. William, aged five years, recently
was removed from the home to the Chill
dren's Hospital. where he Is suffering
from an affection OF the heart. With
Griffin's drinking there began a stormy
career for the couple. Twice the man
tried TO murder his wife. Once he shot
at irer, but the bullet went wild. and she
fled. Again he chased her from her home,
brandishing a chair. with which he
threatened to brain her.
Twice Tried Suicide.
Twice Griffin attempted suicide. The
first time he shot himself IN the head.
infiicting a wound which kept him in
the hospital but a few weeks. The sec
ond time he swallowed poison. but not
enough. Fearing for her life. the woman
left Griffin. He was arrested on a charge
OF nonsupport. but on promise TO take
care Of the wife and children with the
kdldIy ne was CdIllAlk dS Al AINlAdh a.
the navy yard, he was released. Less
than a year ago Griffin was arrested
again. The court refused lenicncy. would
not listen TO promises. and Griffin work
ed at hard labor at Occoouan for six
II was revenge on his wife for causing
him this labor and imprisonment that
served as the motive for his last deed.
When Griffin went 10 Occoquan. Mary
IaI Nnff
Mrs. Ida windheld at 941 Lettie street
southwest. and worked at various voca-
tions. About the time Griffin was re-
leased his wife procured employment as
cleaner at the New Willard. where she
began work at o'clock in the morning
and finished at Q.
While employed at the hotel she occu-
pied a room in the servants quarters.
About 10 o'clock yesterday morning Mary
Griffin passed the timekeeper. She looked
happy and cheerful. She had clad herself
In a black hat trimmed with feathers. a
black coat suit. new black shoes. black
gloves, and a black handbag. These were
her Sunday best" In the handbag was
folded the paper containing the adver-
tisement the woman hoped would lead
her husband to work and happiness.
"Home for Eternity"
I'm going home to-day" said Mary
Griffin 20 the timekeeper. and by her
smile the man knew she had no sus-
picIon she was going home for eternity.
Il won't be back until this evening"" she
said as she passed through the door.
Shortly before II o'clock she called TO
see Mrs. Windfeld. After dinner Mrs.
Griffin left without announcing her des-
tination. II was nearly O'Clock in the
afternoon when she appeared at Hagan's
The Hagans say they never saw her
look prettier. In direct contrast to her
fresh, womanly beauty. was the appear
ance OF her eN-convict husband. His
face bloated with drink. wearing n dirty
gray sweater with a red border, and soil
I'd white overalls, with his hair dis
heveled by dissipation. he looked through
the window OF the houseboat he occu-
rim figure OF his wife making her way
Ip the hank.
When Policemen Thomas s. Delany and
H. P. Garrett. of the Fourth precinct,
arrived, they found the bodies side by
,ide on the slope. At the feet of Griffin
vas a .3S-caliber revolver. His hands
,lutched the grass on the bank. The
woman held her black handbag. When
surgeon arrived in an ambulance from
casualty Hospital. he pronounced both
lead. Coroner hewitt issued two certifi- |
,ates. one for homicide and the other
or suicide.
The four children have not been told |
hey are orphans.