Alexandria Gazette

A Terrible Domestic Tragedy.

As stated in the Gazette, Harry W. King, jr., aged about thirty years, son of H. W. King, sr., a prominent and wealthy wholesale clothing merchant, of Chicago, was shot dead on Saturday morning in the Paxton Hotel, Omaha, Nebraska, by a woman claiming to be his wife, and with whom he lived in Chicago, under the assumed name of William Beechler, she being known as Mrs. Beechler. The family of Mr. King has long been prominent, both socially and financially, in Chicago, and 'Harry,' as he is known, was a graduate of Williams College. Several years ago he contracted an unfortunate marriage, but a divorce was secured, and since that he has devoted himself to business. His father's firm gave him oversight of branch houses in New York, St. Louis, Kansas City, and other places, under the name of Browning, King & Co. He recently went to Omaha to establish a branch, taking with him his wife, who was Miss Annie Duffe, a cultured and beautiful young lady, of Louisiana, Mo., to whom he was secretly married at an Eastern watering place last summer. The announcement of the marriage was not made until October, when Mr. King appeared at Louisiana and claimed his bride. On Saturday a fair-haired lady-like woman arrived at Omaha from Chicago and registered at the Paxton Hotel as Mrs. H. W. King, jr. She went at once to Mr. King's room and called him to the door, where she upbraided him and he urged her to go away. She finally asked, with tears in her eyes, 'Harry, will you take me to breakfast? I mean no harm.' He repulsed her roughly, and started for the elevator. She followed him, drew a revolver and shot him four times. As he fell dead she knelt by his side and sobbed, 'I've killed my husband.' Judge Brewer, of the United States District Court, and many guests were witnesses. Mrs. Beechler had left her home in Chicago on Friday ostensibly for Cleveland, Ohio, she having heard the evening previous that Mr. King was to be married to Miss Duffy. She left her child, a handsome four year old boy, with a frank face crowned with bright curls, in charge of a servant. Mrs. Beechler's former name was Lizzie Legarde, and her home was in Cleveland, Ohio. She is described as a beautiful woman, who always attracted attention. Mrs. Duffy King was not at the hotel at the time of the shooting, but arrived later. She was completely prostrated and became delirious. The Mrs. King who did the shooting made a statement to the effect that she was married to Mr. King four years ago in Chicago and they had lived happily until she read of his marriage to Miss Duffy. She went to Omaha to inform him that she would prosecute him for bigamy and for forging her father's name. She took the revolver for protection, not intending to shoot him. He choked her violently, and this, with her sense of wrong, overcame her and she fired. The young lady from whom Mr. King was divorced is preparing for the operatic stage.