Year: 1878

ADeserted Wife Tells of Il Murder Com


mitted by Her Hus band.


A week or more ago a lady arrived
in this city from Winona, and imme-
diate!y went to the Bethany Home,
where she yet remains. After remain
ing there for few days she seemingly
felt troubled in mind, and requested a
private interview with the matron, Miss
Annie Morrison. To her, if we are
correctly informed, she disclosed the
following story of her life: She
stated that she was the lawful wife of
policeman formerly on the Winona
force, AID that he had been guilty of
murder, robbery and desertion, the
circumstance of which fact had brought
her where she was She claimed that
a month or more ago her husband
came home one evening and told her a
stranger looking for land to purchase
had just arrived on a train, aud had
applied to him for directions to hotel
or good lodging place. He believed
that he had large sum Of money with
him, and he had told him to remain
where he was and he would find him
place. He requested ner to return
with him to where be had left the man
which request was complied with with
out any knowledge of her husbands
intentions. Finding the gentleman, he
introduced her to him, and then,
ostensioly looking for boarding house
he inveigled him to desolate part of
the city, near the river bank. Here
he suddenly turned and knocked the
man down with his billy. and imme-
diately began to rifle his pockets. Dur
ing the operation the stranger partially
revived and attempted to gain his feet.
Her husband then drew revolver and
shot him through the heart, causing
instantaneous death. Eight hundred
dollars in money was secured, after
which an old sack was procured and
the body placed therein, together with
a number Of stones This was dragged
to the river bank, placed in a skif, and
rowed to the center Of the stream,
where it was thrown overheard and
and Immediately sunk. Returning
with his wife to their home the money
was concealed in the cellar, and police
duties were resumed. A week or more
thereafter suspicion was aroused to
the effect that a murder had taken
placed, and without any suspicion as
to the perpetrator Of the crime another
policeman mentioned the rumor to her
husband. He hurried home and told
her that the act would be- discovered,
and that he must leave the city at
once. This he proceeded to do much
more speedily than was expected, tax
ing with him the $500 and another
woman, to whom he had become
secretly attached. The wife at once
came to this city, expecting to find
him, but being unsuccessful, finally
went to the "home," and concluded to
relate the story as above.


The matter was at once placed in
the hands of Officer Berry, of this city,
we are informed, for investigation, and
be has since been looking up the case,
having ordered the wife at Bethany
Home to be kept under close surveil-
lance. Nothing has been developed by
the officers, who have suppressed the
matter for week or more, except the
fact that the woman with whom he
ran away is now in St. Paul, and, like
the wife, would like to find him."
The matter is now public, and perhaps
the public may render some assistance
in bringing the robber, murderer and
wife -deserter to jussice.-&. Paul
Press.