Mrs. Hazel Lewis, colored, aged 30 of St. David was shot and instantly killed by her estranged husband, Lindsey Lewis Monday night at about 8:00 o’clock under a grape arbor in the rear of the home of Mrs. John Lutatti in that village.
According to the story told by these witnesses, Mrs. Lewis, John Frasca, David Thomas and Samuel Mayers were talking in the grape arbor when Lewis came in, about five or 10 minutes after the arrival of his wife. He said, “Hazel, what does this mean”, grabbed her about the neck and pushed her toward the door, lighted a match and began to shoot. After emptying the gun he fled over the hill toward the Big Creek Mine.
On his way he met Deputy Sheriff Jabine and surrendered. Lewis was locked in the village jail. Later he was taken to the county jail at Lewistown.
Insane jealousy is believed to have led up to the tragedy. Lewis and Miss Austin were married shortly after the death of her mother, in 1918, and soon after their marriage he entered the service, being stationed at Camp Grant for some time. Not long after his return from the service the couple became estranged but later made up and lived together for a time.
Mrs. Lewis started a divorce proceeding against her husband in the Canton city court the latter part of 1918. The case was not pushed further, the couple patching up their differences temporarily.
Lately Lewis has been “baching” in the east part of St. David and his wife has been making her home with her father, William Austin. Lewis told officers last night that he had frequently warned other men from paying attention to her while she was his wife, adding that he told them that something would happen if it was kept up.