WASHBURN MAN SHOOTS WOMAN AT BISMARCK

Testifies for Husband in Divorce Suit Then Attempts to Murder the Wife.

Bismarck, N. D., July 1.—After appearing against her in a divorce suit which resulted in a verdict for her husband in McLean county district court at Washburn last week, Bob Carson of Washburn forced his way into Mrs. J. H. Graham's home in south Bismarck Monday evening, and finding her in the backyard, drew a revolver and shot her three times before the wounded woman's son could wrest the gun from him.

Following the shooting Carson was overpowered, the gun taken from him, and a police call sent in. When the officers reached the scene they found Mrs. Graham unconscious from wounds, and Carson with his face beaten almost to a pulp as the result of the rough handling received from Harry Barker, the woman's son, and Ames Olson, a neighbor. Carson was removed to the county jail, while Mrs. Graham, in a serious condition, was taken to the hospital. She was shot through the back, one arm, and in her neck.

Mrs. Graham's husband secured a divorce in McLean county district court last week. Seen in the cell at the county jail Monday night, Carson stated he had testified for Graham, having been subpoenaed by the latter. He stated that he had known Mrs. Graham from childhood, their friendship beginning years before her first marriage when she was Miss Eva Webber.

Grand Forks Herald, 7/1/1919

Carson Commits Suicide in Cell

washburn man who pleaded guilty to assault on mrs. graham dies

Bob Carson of Washburn, awaiting sentence in the Burleigh County jail on his plea of assault upon Mrs. Graham, with a deadly weapon, hung himself with a towel to the door of his cell between breakfast and dinner time Monday August 4th.

Carson was his usual self at breakfast time. His body, stone cold, was found hanging to the door of his cell when Sheriff Welch went into call him for dinner. Two other men occupying the same block, knew nothing of the tragedy until the Sheriff's discovery was made. Welch at once cut the man down and called Dr. C. E. Stackhouse, County physician. but life was extinct.

was old love affair

According to Carson's confession made the night of June 20, following his assault upon Mrs. Graham, the attack grew out of an old love affair. Carson, who had known Mrs. Graham since girlhood, had only a week before testified for her husband in a divorce action which resulted in a verdict for the latter. When Carson came to Bismarck to call upon Mrs. Graham, she turned him away from her door. Carson then purchased a 38 calibre revolver from a Bismarck dealer, went to the Graham home south of the tracks, forced his way past Harry Barker, the woman's son by a former marriage, and discovering Mrs. Graham in the back yard opened fire on her. Three shots had taken effect before Barker overtook his mother's assailant and felled him. Badly beaten Carson was taken into custody by police and imprisoned. Mrs. Graham was removed to a local hospital, where she still remains. It was owing to doubt as to her ultimate recovery that Judge Nuessle upon accepting Carson's plea last week with held sentence.

Carson had been a model prisoner, but Sheriff Welch states that he brooded much over his act and that he was apparently wrecked with remorse and fears that his victim might not recover. He seemed, it is said, to worry less over the penalty which he must pay should Mrs. Graham die than over the pain which he had caused her, apparently he was deeply infatuated with the woman, whom he had known for years at Washburn, during her residence with her former husband, Barker, following the divorce from him, and as Mrs. Graham.

"Carson was a frequent caller at our house when I was a boy," said Harry Barker recently. "I always liked the fellow. He was the last man in the world I would have expected to shoot anyone, least of all my mother."

Mrs. Graham is not yet out of danger. Three bad wounds were inflicted in her neck, back, and one shoulder, and complications have prevented a speedy recover. Mrs. Graham is slowly improving.

Washburn Leader, 8/15/1919