Evening star., 1922-09-23
SHOOTING BLAMED
TOHAUNT|NGPAST
KuehIing Feared Wife Would
Hear of Death of First,
Is Theory.
EL0PEMENT is RECALLED
Recovery Expected Following At
tack in Missouri Home
of Couple.
EL0PEMENT is RECALLED

Fear that his wealthy young bride
would refuse to live with him after
learning that he was connected with
the mysterious death Of a previous
wife, was advanced today as the
probable motive for the alleged
shooting of Mrs. Kathleen Whttesell
kuehling by her husband, Roy H.
Kuehling. formerly of Washington,
at the home of the girls parents in
Ell Dorado, Mo. News of the shoot
ing. which took place yesterday.
reached Washington in a telegram
to Mrs. Kuehling's sister.
This information was obtained from
A. Vernon Dillon. Missouri, who took
a paternal interest in the girl when
she was seventeen-year-ol war
worker in Washington. His view is
substantfated by Mrs. Kuehling's
sister. Miss Mabel Whitesell, who is
still employed in the treasury depart
ment here and strove in vain to pre-
vent the marriage.
According to Mr.. Dillon, Kuehline
represented himself to Miss White-
sell as Roy Keeling, and denied he
was the husband of a young woman
who was drowned. They eloped on
her eighteenth birthday.
Denied 1dentitys to Last.
When the couple reached Rockville
and Kuehling was forced to admit
his right name. he still denied that
he was connected with the drowning
case. Young Mrs. kuehling believed
him until very recently, it was stated
today, when Dillon. assuming the role
of a private detective, says he dug
up undeniable evidence that the girl
had been deceived.
Mr.. Dillon asserted that the girl
bride determined to obtain a divorce
from her husband Immediately after
learning the truth about him. Just
previous to this, the lawyer con-
tinued, Kuehling had attempted to
borrow large sum of money from
his father-in-law, ostensibly to pur-
chase 5000 hogs. When Mr.. White
ter advised against the loan and
barred Kuehling's past history as his
reason.
Realizing that he could no longer
hope to continue the dual role he had
set out to assume, Mr.. Dillon de-
wife by intimidation. When this, too,
failed, he shot her, according to the
lawyers view.
wife's Recovery Assured.
The latest news received from the
west indicated that Mrs. Kuehling's
recovery, though uncertain at first. is
now assured. Miss Whitsell. her
sister, abandoned plans to return
home upon receipt of a more reasur-
ing message this morning.
Miss Whitsell used every means
in her power to prevent her sisters
marriage to Kuehling, declaring from
=, Rvat hak hA
himself. and she bitterly denounced
him today. She said the two eloped
after friends and relatives had thrown
every obstacle in their path The
girls father, who owns a large
amount Of property in Missouri, at
first threatened to disown her. Later
he relented and invited the couple to
come and live with him, to which
they agreed.
Suicide Ruse Recalled.
Roy Harper Kuehling first came to
the attention Of the local police during
the war. when q note found on Aque-
duct bridge told Of his suicide BY
drowning. part of his uniform also being
found on the bridge.
Inspector Clifford L. Grant. chief of
detectives. and other members Of the
tho message, but Kuehlings mother,
who resided at S14 9Th street northeast,
and Precinct Detective B. c. Kuehling,
his brother, feared the worst, and the
river was dragged. It later developed
that the young man had temporarily
absented himself from the city.
H6 next attracted attention Of the
police when his first wife, Gertrude
Viger Kuehling, former resident Of SOL
East I'd street, Duluth, Mimi, was
drowned from canoe the night Of Sep
tenber 8. 1920. husband and wife being
in the craft when 1t capsized. The hus-
band was saved.
It was about 10 o'clock at night
when the craft capsixed, in what is
known ~ Catd1h cove. Occupants of
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