A Somnambulist Shot by his Wife

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 19, 2 August 1892, Page 4

A Somnambulist Shot by his Wife

• A shocking domestic tragedy has occurred in the suburbs of Sacramento (Cal.), where Richard Ellswerk, a prominent and highly-respected merchant, was accidentally killed by his wife under peculiar tragic circumstances. Mr Ellswerk was the father of two daughters, and lived in suburhan retreat. For some weeks rumours that robbers contemplated a pillage of the neighbourhood had gained ground, and the inhabitants had been in a state of nervous suspense. Mrs lillswerk, who was sleeping with one of her daughters, fancied she heard someone at the front door. She ran to the window, hastily picking up a gun as she did so, and caught sight of the figure of a man endeavoring to open the door. Sbe called out, but received no reply, and then leveled the gun and fired. When the alarmed household rushed out they weie horrifi'd to discover .'• r blUwe:k lying upon his back in a dyinu condition. He said he could not explain how he come to be dtit of doors, and that he could rcmembor nothing between the time when he bad gone to bed hours before and the luoment when be awoke, find himself, a wounded and a dj'iug man. in the garden. He was conscious longenough to have the error his wife ha?i committed explained to him, and give her his dying forgiveness. Air hllswerk hau been known to suffer Iroin somnambulism when a youn» man, but had given no signs of it for the past JO years. His wife is frantic with grief, and has to be watched to prevent her committing suicide.