OBIT: Edward RUSSELL, 1909, Altoona, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Sharon Miller Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _________________________________________ HUSBAND KILLS WIFE'S FRIEND Altoona Man, Home Unexpectedly Finds Visitor In House. FIGHT IN DARK ROOM Husband Struck Match and Man Attacked Him, When He Drew His Revolver and Fired, the Bullet Entering Victim's Temple - Claims Self Defense. Altoona, Pa. April 19 - Edward Russell, aged twenty-six years, was shot by J. E. Craig, who surprised Russell and Mrs. Craig together in the latter's home in this city. Russell died in the Altoona hospital. Craig, who is twenty-five years of age and who has been employed as a locomotive fireman in the Pennsylvania railroad yards in this city, has for some time suspected the conduct of his wife, the information of her wrong doing coming to him from his brother, who has been making his home with the couple. In the evening, the husband left home to go to work as usual, but at 9 o'clock returned home, and finding his wife had gone out, secreted himself in an upper room and awaited her return. His brother, who had remained in the house, had retired for the night. About midnight, Mrs. Craig returned home, accompanied by Russell and another young man and woman. Mrs. Craig put her three-year-old daughter to bed and then joined her companions in the parlor on the first floor. A few minutes later Craig slipped down the stairs and hearing voices in the parlor, which was unlighted, went in and striking a match, saw Russell and Mrs. Craig together. Russell sprang at the husband, and the two scuffled for a moment, until Craig got out his revolver and fired, the bullet entering Russell's left temple. During the brief struggle, the other couple escaped from the house. The young husband sent his brother out for a physician and to notify the police authorities, and remained with the injured man until the police and hospital ambulance arrived. He was then take into custody and sent to prison, where he awaits a hearing. Craig came here from New York state about seven years ago and was married four years ago, his wife being formerly Rose Stabel, a daughter of Deputy Sheriff Stabel, of Elmira, N.Y. Craig expresses regret for the killing, but claims that he fired in defense of his own life. Tyrone Herald, Tyrone, Pa., April 22, 1909 UPHOLDS HUSBAND Coroner's Jury Sustains Man Who Slew His Wife's Companion Altoona Pa., April 20. - The coroner's jury in the case of J. E. Craig, charged with killing Edward Russell, gave a verdict that "death was caused by a gunshot wound, fired by a revolver in the hands of John E. Craig in self-defense and while protecting the honor of his own home." A writ of habeas corpus was immediately applied for by Craig's counsel, and without further hearing, Judge Bell released Craig on $2000 bail. Tyrone Herald, Tyrone, Pa., April 22, 1909