Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1913-06-19
Terrible TRAGEDY In Hagerstown.

A terrible tragedy was enacted in Ha
gerstown last Saturday, when Bush Willis
formerly of Jefferson county, shot hi:
wife three times and then killed himsel
by cutting his throat from ear to ear
Willis, who was 81 years OF age, WORKED
as farm hand for a number OF years II
the southern part of this county. Acouple
OF years ago he took employment with u
w. Hoffman, near Kearneysville, and
worked for him for some time. January
of last year he went to HagerStown on
visit, and from there sent word to Mr.
Hoffman that he would not return, as ne
had job there. Shortly afterward ne
sent for his wife and their three children
and they have since been living in Ha-
gerstown. Willis worked in the Western
Maryland Railroad shops for time, ana
afterWard at the New York Central Iron
Works. The life of the family in Ha-
gerstown was stormy one. Willis &C
cused his wife of unfaithfulness, and his
jealousy caused much contention. A
few weeks ago he told Postmaster h. E.
Mundey, of Shepherdstown, OF his do
mestic troubles, and asked him what ne
should do. Mr.. Mundey advised him 10
leave his wife if they could not get along
peaceably.
On decoration day Willis and his wife
finally separated. He went to Charles
Town for while, but returned to Ha-
gerstown, and lived at a clearinghouse,
and she remained in their home on George
street with the three children. She found
employment and supported herself and
the children. Last Saturday afternoon
about 2 O'Clock Willis went to his wlfe's
home, but she refused to let him in. He
went away, and proceeded to the home
of Mrs. c. A. Rice, a sister Of Mrs. Willis.
Here he inquired for Garland Martin, a
cousin of Mrs. Willis. II is supposed
that he meant TO kill Martin, as he was
one of the men OF whom he was jealous.
He seemed disappointed at not finding
Martin, and as he left Mrs. Rice he said,
eff anything happens want you to send
my two little girls to Charles Town."
He then went back to his Wife's home
and forced his way into the house. A
quarrel was started, when without warm
ing Willis drew revolver and began
firing at her. Three bullets took effect
one entered her face on the left side and
passed through her cheek and nose, rest
ing under the skin beneath her right eye;
second passed through her right arm
and shoulder; the third bullet caused the
most serious injury, piercing her abdo-
men on the right side. Bleeding from
her wounds, Mrs. Willis found her way
10 the street, where she collapsed and
fell. Willis, thinking that he had killed
her, placed the revolver to his own head
and pulled the trigger, but it missed fire.
He then rushed up stairs with his son
Jesse, aged IA years, and in the presence
of the horror stricken boy he Slashed his
own throat with sharp penknife until
his head was almost severed from his
body. The boy tried to prevent his
father s suicide, but was unable to do so,
and Willis staggered until he fell in his
own gore, dying in a few minutes. In
the meantime a crowd had gathered
about Mrs. Willis, where her two little
girls, Mary, aged ten years, and Gussie,
eight years old, were piteouSly weeping
over their mother. Stricken though she
was, she tried to comfort them and as
sured them that she would get well. AS
soon as possible she was taken to the
hospital and her injuries attended to.
The body of Willis was placed in
charge OF IN undertaken and prepared for
burial. In one of his pockets was bot
tie OF laudanum, about hall OF which had
been used. The revolver, which was OF
327calibre, was found where he had thrown
il when it failed to explode the fourth
bullet, and in his hand was clenched the
knife with which he had cut his throat.
The body was taken to Charles Town Tor
burial on Monday.
Mrs. Willis was formerly Anna Belle
Martina daughter of Daniel Martin, of the
vicinity OF Middleway, this county. She
was married TO Willis while both were
yet very young. Although their married
life was at first quite happy, the husbands
jealousy later on caused much trouble.
1t is thought that she will recover from
her wounds.
Besides his wife and three children,
Willis is survived by his mother, Mrs.
John Willis, two brothers, George and
William Willis, and sister, all OF Charles
Town.