The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-30
Man
POSED AS
SINGLE
NJ. Y. Police Believe Girl Killed
Burnham When She Learn
ed he Had Wife.
BY international News Service.

L
NEW YORK, March 3d.
Learning that the man she loved
was married and her unwilling
ness to give him up, caused Miss
Helena Eeigler, twenty-six-year-
old daughter Of IN exporter. to
mortally wound ] Frederick w.
Burnhanl, wealthy contractor, and
then kin herself in his office in
the Grand Central Terminal build
ing yesterday, police believe to-
day. Burnham died early today
in the hospital.
Feared He Would Be Killed.
Friends of Burnham knew of an
affair he had with a young woman,
they told police. and had heard the
handsome contractor express fear
he would be killed.
Miss Zeigler went to Burnham's
office waited until he finished talk
ing business with another man.. and
then went in. They closed the door.
Harry S. Cox, Burnham's office
manager, heard their voices ges
louder and louder as they talked
until he could tell they were quar-
reling. Then he heard two shots
Cox ran down stairs and summoned
assistance and when he got back.
pushed the door open. The girl lay
dead on the floor. A bullet in heI
right temple brought instant death
Near her lay Burnham with a
wound in his left temple. Some
blood was on his vest and shirt.
Cox was greatly excited when
questioned by police. He said he
did not go in the office when he
heard the shots because he did not
want to take a chance on her shoot
ing me-
Had To Make Choice.
Police believe neither Mrs. Burn
ham nor Miss Zeigler were aware
of the others existence until a few
days ago, when q whirlwin1 of rev.
Citations and circumstances swept
the two families into the tragedy.
Mrs. Burnham is said to have
told her husband. when she learned
about his friendship with Miss
Zeigler. that he would have to
make his choice between them.
Whether Miss Zeigler learned
from Burnham's own lips or from
other sources, about his wife, is
not known.
The contractor had confideG to
friends that he was going to have
it out" with the beautiful brunette.
The girl also was resolved to have
it out" She went prepared to
either win one heart or bury two
police believe
'She did not do that" Mrs.
Zeigler, the girls mother sobbed
today. The Zeigler's believe the
two were only casual friends. They
had always thought of the dashing
contractor as cheerful bachelor,
affable and good company.
Burnham Led Double Life.
Burnham's friends told police an
old, old story leading up to the
double tragedy. Mrs. Burnham did
not like gay life. The good-looking
contractor did and he acquired a
habit several years ago of coming
into the city from his beautiful
home in Dobbs Ferry to seek en-
tertainment and relaxation.
1t was on one of these visits
he met the charming Miss Zeigler.
They became friendly and friendship
"dS WeiCeu by dsSOtidlloH ana III
terest, into warm love. He did not
tell her he was married. Then as
love grew, it became impossible
to tell her. So he settled to the
double life.
Burnham was frequently a guest
at Zeigler's beautiful home on
Riverside drive.
Police are examining witnesses
and talking with friends of the dead
couple today, trying to complete
the fabric of their theory that the
girl decided she would not give I'D
her 1ove--even to a wife.