The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-08-07
HOTEL PROffn,::
FATALLY SHOOTS
YOUNG. WIFE
Mrs. George ". Duncan of Rutland
Victim Of Husbands Jealous Rage
man TRIED TO TAKE OWN LIFE
Couple Had Quarreled and Woman
Had Instituted Proceedings for
Divorce.

Rutland Aug. 7.-George w. Dun
can, lessee of the Holland house, is in
the county Jail charged with the mur-
der of his young wife who died last
night as the result of bullet wound
inflicted by her husband in a fit OF
Jealous rage. After shooting his wife,
Duncan attempted to commit suicide,
but was prevented from taking his
own life.
The shotting occurred at the home
of Edward Dezero, 146 Library avenue
whose wife is Mrs Duncans niece,
and Duncan fired four shots at his
wife from pointblank range. one tax
ing effect in the abdomen near the left
groin and the others going wild. 1t
is said Duncan had been drinking.
Duncan and his wife had some trou-
bic at the hotel week ago, accord
ing to the statement of witnesses,
caused by Duncan's jealousy, and the
man tried TO choke her, alleging mis-
conduct and levity. He was restrained
from doing her an injury at that time,
but turned her out of the hotel in
violent fit of anger
Mrs. Duncan Immediately went to
the home of her niece and has been
living there since. Saturday night
Duncan purchased new 81 calibre
revolver from one of the local sport
ing goods stores, telling the clerk he
was going on trip and would need
the pistol for defense.
Mr.. and Mrs. DeZero and Mrs. Dun
can had been sitting on the veranda
for most of the evening and were pre-
pairing to retire at 1890 when Duncan
made his appearance. He walked into
the house without word but appear
ed to be in an amiable frame of mind.
The four people retired to the kitchen
where they talked for 20 minutes.
Mrs. Dezero was sitting in one cor.
ner ofthe room her husband in an
other and Mrs Duncan between them
in rocking chair. on a line from a
bedroom door to the rear entrance of
the house. Duncan begged leave to
see his son, Kenneth, lad of five
years, who was asleep in the bedroom
While in the room, he blew out the
lamp. He came back to the kitchen
and remained there for\ five more
minutes when he again said he would
like to see his child
This time the man went into the
bedroom as il he intended to lie down
AS he passed into the darkened cham
ber he turned, backed UP against tn,
bed where his little son lay anC
pulled out his revolver.
Duncan shouted.
I'm out for business and I'm goinl
to make good"
Duncan then fired four time!
through the door in rapid succession
aiming directly at his wife Who sa
facing the door wit the light full il
her face.
One of the bullets found Ms mari
and Mrs Duncan crumpled to The foo
Duncan then turned the pistol to hi
head and attempted to pul 1.-The trigge
but was frustrated by DeZero who hat
crept along the floor, jumped an,
grabbed the mans arm.
Dezero pulled the frenziod man Il
the floor while his wife took the gu
from his hand. Wilfred Noel, rel;
tive, who was rooming in the hous,
came to Dczero's assistance and hel
Duncan to the floor
Duncan made little resistance an
was removed to the csunty Jail Cit
Grand Juror G.. H. Novak was sun
moned and the man was arrested o
his warrant owing to the absence
States Attorney C. V. oplin. ID
Gebhardt sat with the wounded WI
man through the greater part of III
night. She was removed yosterda
morning gin the Stearns ambulanC
to the hospital
Duncan is about 30 years old an
HIS wife was n, They have been ma
ried for several years and have on
son, Kenneth. boy FIVE years oil
A week ago today, Mrs. duncan pet
toned for divorce. An iniunctic
and restraining order were issued an
the hearing was set for last Saturd,
morning before Judge II. NJ. Butte
but was not held owing to the failu
of Duncan to aDDear