BULLET TAKES EFFECT

PAUL VALDO ROBINSON ATTEMPTS TO KILL HIS WIFE

The Murderous Attack Is Made in the Law Office of W. B. Schwartz – Robinson Arrested.

Paul Valdo Robinson, an electrical worker, returned yesterday from Minneapolis and, after going to the office of W. B. Schwartz, 146 ½ East Washington street, and, asking his wife from whom he had been separated for six months, to again live with him, shot three times at her inflicting an ugly but not dangerous wound in her right shoulder. Only one of the three shots fired took effect. One of the bullets narrowly missed Schwartz who hurried to the young woman’s assistance.

According to all reports and statements of Robinson and the injured woman, the attempted murder was contemplated for some time. Letters from Robinson to other women in the city show he had considered the matter for some time.

The shooting occurred about 11 a.m. Schwartz was in his office talking with A. J. Bailey. Robinson entered and going to where his wife sat asked to talk with her. She was much surprised, not knowing he was in the city; but, though she told him before she would have nothing further to do with him, went into a small room adjoining the main office.

Mr. Baily had just left the office when a shot was fired in the room occupied by Robinson and his wife. A second quickly followed. Schwartz sprang to the door and opened it. Robinson was pointing the smoking revolver at his wife. He grabbed the woman and shoved her from the room and then Robinson fired the third shot while Schwartz was trying to wrest the weapon from him. Justice Hay, whose office is on the opposite side of the hall, and a constable rushed in and took charge of Robinson. The police were quickly on the scene and, after a short consultation, the prisoner was taken out through a window and over a roof to an exit on Delaware street, in order to avoid the crowd gathering on Washington street.

Dispensary physicians were called and Dr. Griffiths, who examined the woman awaiting the arrival of the hospital ambulance, found the bullet had lodged near the base of the shoulder blade about a quarter of an inch under the skin. The woman was removed to the home of her father, John U. Gisler, 824 Greer street. The bullet was extracted and unless blood poisoning sets in she will undoubtedly recover.

Robinson, though fairly well dressed, has the appearance of affecting toughness and apparently takes much pleasure in hearing himself spoken of as a bad man.

Lawyer Schwartz said the woman came to him several months ago and through him brought suit for divorce. She claimed that since their marriage two years ago she was compelled to work most of the time and supported herself and husband and concluded to leave him.

Robinson purchased the revolver with which he did the shooting at a pawn shop on East Washington street and said he bought it with the intention of killing his wife if she refused to live with him again. He said he had heard charges of improper conduct made against his wife and when questioned about them she refused to confirm or deny them.

Robinson is charged with shooting with intent to kill.

“Bullet Takes Effect,” The Indianapolis Journal (Indianapolis, Indiana), 20 January 1900, p. 8, col. 3; digital image, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ : accessed 10 March 2014).

[Editor’s note: Paul V. Robinson married Tillie Gisler on 15 December 1897, in Marion county, Indiana. Tillie was short for Matilda. On June 1, 1900, Matilda was living with her parents, and she was divorced.]

1900 U. S. Census, Marion county, Indiana, population schedule, Centre Township, ED 162, p. 1-B, John U. Gisler

© Deborah Sweeney, 2014.
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/03/11/bullet-takes-effect/