FEWRY shoots wife the self - 1918 - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Attica, Sept 3 – In the presence of their daughter, Miss Bessie Fewry, John W. Fewry, a well-to-do carpenter and contractor of this place, fired two bullets into his wife’s body shortly after noon today as she sat on the porch of their home on South Perry Street and then rushing to the rear of the house, fired several shots at himself, only one taking effect in a glancing blow at the side of the head.  He then rushed to the home of another daughter, Mrs. Harry Mortimore, several blocks away and swallowed two ounces of carbolic acid.  Dr. Sullivan was called, but could do nothing for the unfortunate man who died shortly after 1 o’clock.   Mrs. Fewry had just returned on the 9 o’clock train from Veedersburg where she had been visiting her daughters, Mrs. Wurt Helms and Mrs. Bert Minnick.  As Mr. Fewry approached his home about noon, his wife went out to meet him. They spoke a few words together and suddenly he drew his revolver and began to fire at her.  His daughter said that three shots were fired but only two wounds were found.  One bullet entered the body near the right lung and the other just above the right hip. She was sent to St. Elizabeth Hospital at Lafayette where an x-ray examination will be made.  No cause is known for the rash act of Mr. Fewry.  It is said that he and his wife had become estranged and had lived together for some time and that Mrs. Fewry was preparing to move her household goods to another house as they had sold their home.  The family has lived here for about 12 years and have always been held in high esteem by the people who knew them.  Mrs. Fewry was brought to St. Elizabeth hospital yesterday afternoon where an X-ray was made of her injuries.  Both bullets were located.  The wound near the lung is considered the more serious but it is not thought that the bullet touched the lung.  At an early hour this morning she was resting fairly well but it is said that her condition is critical.   --kbz