The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-18
Mrs. Elizabeth Magness Dies as Result of Blows
 on Head
AUTOPSY REVEALS
 CAUSE OF DEATH
Woman Said to Have Lain Uncon- scious Over "A Hours Following Quarrel With Her
 Husband

Robert J. Magness was arrested about 7:s0 o'clock last night as he ray in bed by Detective Sergeant S. H. Dar- nell and Detective R. G. Williams on the charge of having killed ms wile' Mrs Elizabeth Magness.
 The arrest was made following 1n- structions from Coroner Charles L. spsin to the detective department yes terday afternoon after a post mortem over the remains of Mrs Elizabeth Magness According to the coroner the case Is without parallel
 Mrs Elizabeth Magness, aged DO years. died yesterday morning at Il o'clock in the Hillman hospital She had been confined at the infirmary since about 11:30 o'clock Sunday night when she had been transferred from her home at 1011 Avenue F, to the hos- pital in Johns ambulance on the in- structions of pr. Stewart H. Welch.
 Lay Unconscious for Hours
 At the time Mrs Magness was taken to the infirmary she was suffering from numerous bruises about the head and her left eye was completely closed. According to the story the neighbors told Dr. Welch when they summoned him. Mrs. Magness had been assaulted by her husband late Saturday night. and she had lain unconscious in her room throughout the night and Sunday until her plight had been discovered by a visitor who had immediately called medical assistance
 Dr. Welch stated last night that Mrs. Magness stated to him that her hus band had beat her up.' The husband at the time denied 1t, and stated that his wife had fallen on the floor and hurt her head, causing a hemorrhage.
 At the infirmary the condition of Mrs. Magness became rapidly worse and the police department was notified. The actions of the husband were watched, but as he showed no tendencies to es- cape the police awaited further bull letins on the condition of the wife. Yes- terday morning about II o'clock Mrs. Magness died and the authorities were at once notified.
 Coroner Charles l.. Spain at once re- paired to the infirmary and held an au- topsy over the remains. The autopsy revealed that Mrs. Magness had come to her death through blows on the head which had caused concussion of the brain. Immediately after the report of
  topsy. Coroner Spain ordered the ar rest of the husband, Robert Magness. In speaking of the case. the coroner said
 Spain Talks of Case
 My attention was called yesterday morning to the death of Mrs. Robert Magness at the Hillman hospital. The internes informed me that they thought the woman had died from the injuries received at the hands of her husband. I went to the infirmary and conducted an investigation and autopsy over the body which clearly revealed that Mrs. Magness had received brutal treatment. Her left eye was completely discolored and she showed several bad bruises about the body and head. The autopsy on the brain showed that the blood ali coagulated from heavy blows-such as might come from being kicked in the head with a heavy boot.
 sIn the investigation as to what led to the condition of Mrs. Magness l found that the couple had numerous quarrels and the husband often struck his wife. From the partial inquest gathered that the husband so badly beat up his wife on last Saturday night that she remained unconscious through out the night and all day Sunday until neighbors summoned Dr. Welch to the scene. and then she was removed to the hospital"
 Detective Sergeant S. H. Darnell stated that night that the Magnesses had proved considerable annoyance to the police department, owing to the complaints of neighbors on the numer- ous quarrels between the couple. Mir. Darnell stated that he had arrested Robert Magness in 1911, and that at the time he had considerable trouble in making the arrest Magnes is man about 50 years of age and large in stature.
 The remains of Mrs. Magness were removed to the morgue of the Johns Undertaking company yesterday after noon and funeral services will be con ducted from the late residence this afternoon at o'clock with interment tn Oak Hill cemetery.