The Churchill county standard. (Fallon, Nev.) 1908-1920, 1914-05-06
MURDERS WIFE AND SUICIDES
Russell j. Grant of the Sheckler
District Commits Dreadful
Acts Sunday Morning.

The most shocking tragedy that
has marked local events within this
papers lifetime was unfolded Sum-
day morning when John G. Will
liams called at the Russell j. Grant
home adjoining his own in the
Sheckler district. His mission of
carrying a farm appurtenant to the
neighboring farm was quickly
changed to one of heralding in the
neighborhood a murder and suicide.
whereby a devoted, self-sacrificing
and extraordinarily hard working
wife was compelled to yield up her
life by the husband, who then took
his own.
In both cases the instrument used
was a 3s-calibre liver Johnson re.
volyer. which Grant had kept under
his pillow throughout two months
Illness of rheumatism. He fired
two bullets into the body of his wife.
spot Following this, he emptied
the kerosene from his lamp over the
bed clothing and carpets in his wife's
room. which he set afire. He then
stepped into his room adjoining
shut the door and after laying
down upon his bed killed himself
by directing a bullet into his hear
with the same gun with which h,
had snuffed out his wife's life. That
he shut the door separating the
rooms, thus eliminating draft IS
probably due the fact that the house
did not burn. The fire destroyed
the bed covering, mattress and
scorched the interior of the
room. But though the house
would ordinarily burn like tinder,
the fire was about out when Mr..
Williams approached the premises at
half past eight o'clock Sunday morn
ing.
His first knowledge that anything
was wrong about the home was
gained when glancing to the second
story he saw Mrs. Grants body lying
partly in the window, which has
low sill. and partly on the floor of
her room. Calling neighbors, an en-
trance was effected to the resi-
dence interior, which as plainly as
words, portrayed the dreadful
deeds of the husband. who had
hoped TO obliterate all traces of his
acts by setting the home afire.
Though the sordid details surround
ing the case will never be known,
for no word of any kind was left, II
is plain that Grant during a sudden
insane impulse murdered the wife
and then took his own life. and after
hearing the evidence of all witnesses
at coroner's inquest held Monday
morning this was the verdict in sub
stance of the jury.
The underlying motive for Grants
horrible acts may have had to do
with his financial affairs. He bought
his place last summer and owed
$4,000 out of the purchase price of
$1,000 The inquiry set afoot by
the eoroner's jury revealed the fact
that but a few dollars remained on
hand and Grant had remarked that
he would have to borrow money with
which to live throughout the present
season.
Little is known of the anteeedents
of either Grant or his wife. She had
told neighbors that he was SO years
of age and she "A, and that they
were married two years ago in
Southern California whence he had
gone from Victoria. b C., and she
from Pittsburg, Pa. Grant was
married previously. He was known
here as an eccentric character and
was regarded as queer at his former
places of residence. He was man
devoid of personal courage, lazy
about the farm when he was enjoy
ing apparent good health, and COM
PEELED Mrs. Grant to minister to him
very much after the fashion of a
slave. For this reason he was dis
liked by those with whom he came
in contact, and she had figured on
separation, though as far as is
known she never quarelled with
him.
kilograms were sent to relatives
of the murdered woman in the east
and yesterday her remains were
ordered shipped to the family home
at Pittsburg, Pa, for burial. Grant
is known to have an uncle in Los
Angeles, who has failed to respond
to messages and unless sister re-
siding I'm Victoria b. c. orders q