Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-11-02
WOUNDED WOMAN
DEAD FROM SHOT
Mrs. Frances Campbell Dies Of
Wound Which She Says Was In.
flicted by r. M. Smith.
REFUSED TO LEAVE HUSBAND

Mrs. Frances Campbell, 21s North
Nineteenth street, aged SO years, was
shot and killed at her home late
yesterday afternoon. The bullet, she
said, in a statement made at st. Jo-
seph's hospital before she died. was
fired by r. NJ. Smith OF East st.
Louis.
Smith and Riley Il. Campbell, hus-
band OF the wounded woman, are be-
ing held at the city Jail.
Save me for my dear mothers
sake. Where is my husband, why
won't you let him come to me. I'm
going to die. 1 tried to live right,
but he wanted me to leave my dear
husband" This and similar excla-
nations were made by the woman
while doctors we're examining her
wound.
Later. at the station. a telephone call
was received by Captain Maloney that
Mrs. Campbell was dying, but was able
to make a statement With several wit
nesses and Assistant County Attorney
Fitzgerald. Maloney hurried to the hos
pital
statement by wounded Woman.
Between pleas that her husband be
summoned Mrs. Campbell said
HE followed me here from 81. Louis.
He said he would shoot me II didn't
run away with him He threatened to
| shoot me before l left St Louis. ! didn't
see the gun before he shot. but saw
the flash. II was done too quick. He
wanted me 20 run away with him and
leave my husband. You know I'm not
going Go live. I'm done for. lie shot me
on purpose. 1t was not an accident. He
asked about my money and about my
case against the street railway company,
and wanted me to run away with him,
Punish that man. I'm done for. Don't
say I'm not. God doesn't love a story
teller. 1 want my husband: please send
for him. Now let me die in peace.
feel lot easier. Jesus!"
At this point Mrs. Campbell lapsed into
Inconsistencies.
Even among the officers present who
are used TO similar scenes. the womans
statement caused signs of emotion. The
ward in which she lay is near a chapel,
and as she talked the music of an organ
and the singing of hymns could be dis
tinctly heard through the open window.
Several women In the ward wept.
Newcomers Here In Omaha.
The Campbells came to Omaha from
East 81. Louis. but short time ago and
had taken rooms at the home of Mrs
Ella widener. Yesterday Smith came to
the house. Telling Mrs. widener that he
was a United States officer and was
watching the Campbells, he gained
entrance to the house and later to the
room occupied by Mrs. Campbell who
| was alone. While he was In the room
her husband entered and as Campbell
asked who the man was. Smith shot the
! woman above the heart with q pistol,
wheeled on Campbell and after firing at
him and missing. struck him over the
head with the weapon.
The police were called by Mrs. widener
and they arrived on the scene, to find
Mrs. Campbell stretched on the bed,
mortally wounded. her husband stand
ing at the foot, with his arms folded
and at least ten feet away. Smith seated
calmly on a chair with his legs crossed
|
Of the room was heavily laden with gas,
one of the jets being turned on, &C
cidently Campbell said.
smith Eats Candy.
Smith was calm. When the officers
and doctors entered the room he ex-
claimed, Don't crowd around the bed
so close. give the woman some air u
with this he took a package OF mints
from his pocket, deliberately opend
them and began eating the CONNECTION
apparently with relish
On the way to the hospital. to which
the police allowed Campbell to go. his
wife kept calling, He's got me. It's IL
| my heart"
Il tried to live right. and he wante,
me TO leave my husband. Live RICH
Ed. for my sake"
A statement made by the woman II