The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-08-02
SHOOTS WIFE TWICE
AND KILLS HIMSELF
Washington Man Stages Dual
Tragedy at Mother-in-Law's
in BalIston, Va.

Clinton Adams. thirty. living at 80
Third street northwest, shot his wife
twice and then killed himself at the
home Of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Greg
DRY. on Mckinley avenue. Ballston. Va,
last night. Adams fired a -3S-caliber
bullet through his wife's left arm and
second bullet into her left breast, then
rushed to the rear Of the house. where
he fired the fatal shout through his
heart.
Adams and his wife had been sepa-
rated for some time. The dead man
left two notes. one addressed to lis
parents. brothers and sisters. In which
he said he was going to end II ALL"
and the other. apparently for his wife,
directing her to dispose Of his clothes
and personal property. Adams request
ed that their only child, seven-year-
old boy, be given in charge Of his sister.
Mrs. Adams Is not seriously wound
ed. DR.. w. C.. Welburn, OF Ballston,
extracted the bullet which lodged in
her breast early today, and she is ex-
pected to recover. she was not taken
to = hospital. Adams body is at Ives
Undertaking establishment, in Claren-
don.
Meets Wife At Train
The letters left by the dead man are
in the possession Of Crandan Mackey,
commonwealth attorney for Alexandria
county, who has taken charge of the
case. According to his Investigation.
adams arrived in Ballston on the Z
o'clock train last night, and sat on the
steps Of the postoffice until the arrival
Of the HIS train from Washington. He
met his wife on the arrival Of the late
train. and in company with neighbors
walked to the Gregory home with Mrs.
Adams Shnrflv
house, the reports of two revolver shots
were heard. Neighbors entered the
house and found Mrs. Adams lying on
the floor apparently dead A minute
rying to the rear Of the house, Mr..
McComb found the lifeless body of
Adams.
The dead man was lying on his back
in the weeds with his right hand
clutching .ss-ealiber revolver. which
were empty. Adams had shot himself
through the heart. and the shirt and
undershirt were powder marked.
Adams and his wife formerly had
time Adams had been employed m
Washington, and Mrs. Adams had con
tinued her sesidence with her mother
Their son lived with her mother.
Adams, a week ago rented a room at
the rooming house conducted by mrs .
Ida v. Happier, 100 Third street north
west, telling the landlady that he was
unmarried. He had been employed BY =
a baking company in this city He was
last seen at the Third street address
at . o'clock yesterday afternoon His
parents live in Fo-estville, Fairfax
county, Va
Appeared On Good Terms.
Both Adams and Mrs. Adams were
well known in Baallston. When seen to-
gether last night they appeared TO be
on friendly terms. John Veitch and
family, who were passengers on the
train carrying Mrs Adams to Ballston,
talked with Adams when he met Mrs.
Adams at the station. Veitch said the
man was cheerful and seemed friend
ly disposed toward Mrs. Adams. No
outcry or sound OF the tragedy was
head except the reports of the pistol.
In Adams clothes five cartridges and
the two letters We're found.
TT is apparent that dams killed
himself said Crandall Mackey, and
no inquest will be necessary. will tura
over the letters to Mrs. Adams and To.
bias Adams. the father of the dead
man."