Suicide and Murder
Homer Todd Murders his Wife and Then Shoots Himself

Tuesday forenoon between the hours of eleven and twelve o'clock Homer Todd fired two shots into the body of his wife then cut her throat with a razor. He then turned the revolver and shot himself three times in the head.

The tragedy occurred in West Monett near the junction of Myrtle and Valley Streets and was witnessed by several of the neighbors.

Joe Johnson and the reported that he saw the couple come down Myrtle Street and entered the home of Homer Todd's uncle, Geo. Bowman and after remaining there fifteen or twenty minutes they left the house and seemed to be talking earnestly. Mrs. Todd had her arm about the waist of her husband most of the time. After walking a half block they stopped and after having some words, Todd drew a revolver and fired two shots and then threw the woman to the ground and cut her throat. Johnson was a block away but could see all that took place.

After the cutting Todd shook the blood from his hand picked up the gun and started to run back the way they had come. After running half a block he stopped, turned the weapon on himself and fired three bullets into his head. He then ran for a short distance and fell in the road.

Mrs. Todd died almost instantly but Todd was carried to the home of George Bowman where in an unconscious state he was placed on a couch and a physician summoned.

After leaving Bowman's house and walking a short distance with his wife, Todd returned and it is supposed that he then secured Bowman's revolver with which the shooting was done.

Mr. and Mrs. Walter Johnson saw but a small part of the tragedy but their story is substantially as above.

Mrs. W. M. Shunk heard the shots and ran out of her home. She saw the struggle and saw the revolver knocked out of Todd's hand. Mrs. Todd made a desperate struggle for her life but was thrown to the ground and her throat cut with a razor. Mrs. Shunk's story corroborates that of Joe Johnson.

Officer E. H. Ennis and Justice D. N. Jewett arrived on the scene and impaneled a jury after which Coroner Miller took charge of the body.

Mr. and Mrs. Todd had been married for two years but of late had lived unhappily together. For the past few weeks Mrs. Todd had been living with Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Burkhart northeast of Monett and came to town with them Tuesday morning in answer to a telephone message from her husband.

Mr. Todd had been working in Springfield and came to Monett Saturday night. He went out to the Burkhart's Sunday and had along talk with his wife. Mrs. Todd told Mrs. Burkhart she was afraid of her husband. They met and had some conversation on Broadway and then Mr. and Mrs. Burkhart lost track of them. Why they went over to Bowman's is not known.

The body of Mrs. Todd was taken to the home of E. E. Eagle on Marshall Hill, there to await the arrival of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Webb, who reside on Flat Creek.

This is another death resulting from interference in the family relation. Mr. Todd gave one of our citizens, a few weeks ago, an hour in which to leave the city and these troubles weighted upon his mind is undoubtedly what caused the terrible deed to be performed.

Those who know Mr. Todd say that he was an exemplary young man, quiet and studious and not addicted to drinking or other bad habits.

Phone messages from Monett Wednesday noon say that Todd is yet alive but the physicians say he can not recover.

Extracted by: Donna Cooper