Blessed

Our usually quiet village was last Thursday forenoon thrown into the greatest excitement by several reports of a revolver and the cry of “Saunders is killing his wife!”  Everyone within hearing rushed for Mrs. Saunders’ Millinery Store, but only to find their worst fears too full realized. The murderer had thoroughly done his work. Mrs. Saunders was found lying in the middle of the floor, the blood spurting from a bullet wound in her neck and another in the face, at the right corner of her mouth. She was still conscious, and when spoken to, said “Oh, my poor children,” and a moment later , when Dr. Stair had arrived, again spoke, “Oh, doctor,” and immediately became unconscious.

In the meantime the excited crowd began to look for Saunders. The word was given, that he had entered the dwelling house, next door, and into that the men rushed. As he was known to have a revolver with him some care was taken in the search, so that it was some five minutes before he was found. He had gone to the darkest corner of the cellar, and there placed the muzzle of the revolver in his mouth and fired, killing himself almost instantly. One distorted roll of the eyes being the only move detected after he was found.

The cries of the excited citizens were immediately hushed. That he had received his just deserts was plainly depicted on every countenance. Not one word of sympathy for him was uttered.

After quiet had in a measure been restored, we set about picking up the particulars of this last scene of a long existing trouble.

From Mrs. Fisher, mother of Mrs. Saunders, and Miss Mariette Warner, one of the shop girls, who was with three other girls in the shop at the time, we were able to get at the facts of the case as near as it was possible for them to remember in the excitement.

At about 9 o’clock Charles Saunders, quite intoxicated, came into the store and seating himself on the counter, asked Mrs. S. if she would go with him to Madison that day, adding that he would make over some property to her if she would  go. She partially promised to go, but wished to take her son William, which he objected to. She left the room and he followed to the door and then returned to his seat on the counter. Mrs. S. soon returned, when he commenced abasing her and his mother-in-law in a most shameful manner. After hearing this for a few minutes, Mrs. S. ordered him to leave the store. He refused to do so, got off the counter and faced her, when she took a chair and gave him a push.

He immediately drew the revolver and fired, the ball hitting Mrs. S. in the neck. She fell, when he fired again, hitting her in the face. By this time the girls had all rushed out of the store, screaming. Mrs. Fisher started forward at the first fire, helping herself with a chair, as she is a cripple, when he leveled the revolver at her and she had only time to raise the chair to ward off the shot. Saunders then ran out of the back door, and turning fired at her once more, the ball missing her and lodging in the floor. He then ran to the cellar and shot himself as above stated.

M.C. Burnett, Esq. was informed of the death of Mr. Saunders and at once empanelled six jurors and proceeded to the place where Mr. S. lay. After holding the necessary examination they declared by their verdict that the deceased came to his death by the means of a loaded pistol deliberately discharged by his own hands.

A Colt’s small five chamber revolver was found by his side, and on his clothes was found powder and balls, pipes and tobacco, memorandum book, and a number of letters, one of which proved to be in his own handwriting, wherein he stated his premeditated intention to shoot his wife and himself. It bore a request for the manner and disposal of the bodies, a description of his property and estate.

As no one could be found to volunteer to take charge of the body and give it burial, the authorities made the provisions, and had it buried that evening.

Mrs. Saunders lingered in an unconscious state for seven hours when she died. The ladies of the village rendered every assistance possible before and after her death. Her funeral took place Friday afternoon. The services being held at the Congregational Church, which was filled to overflowing with deeply sympathizing friends.

Charles Saunders was about forty years of age, and Mrs. Louisa Saunders thirty-seven. They were born in England, and married there, coming to this country soon after. They had lived together twenty years, four years of that time being spent in New York, where the oldest son, William, was born, and fifteen years in this village, where the five younger children were born.

Mr. Saunders was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and when sober was a master mechanic. He had built several of the finest residences and public buildings in the village. When intoxicated, which was quite frequent of late, he was quarrelsome and abusive to his family. His wife being unable longer to submit to him, had applied for a divorce, since which time he had been forbidden to enter the store.

Mrs. Saunders had worked at dress making since coming here, and this spring wishing to enlarge her business, he had built a small store and assisted her to purchase a stock of millinery and dress goods. She was highly respected by all, and for several years had been a member of the Methodist Church.

Through Saunders’s persuasion, his wife’s mother, Mrs. Fisher, was a few years since induced to leave her home and friends in England and come here to live. She has more than supported herself by teaching music, so that his reports of dependence are entirely unfounded.

The children will probably be left in the care of their grandmother and their oldest brother. The property left is sufficient to keep them in good circumstances. This is the first shooting affair that ever happened in our village, and it is hoped it may be the last.