Storey, Ethel E 1896-1931

STOREY, GEISINGER, BENSON, LEMING

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 8/5/2016 at 08:32:46

Storm Lake Pilot Tribune - Feb 12, 1931 - Storm Lake friends were shocked Wednesday when word came from Sioux City that Robert Merwyn Storey former resident had shot and fatally wounded his wife and had then turned the gun on himself, shooting himself thru the head.

Mrs Storey, who was 34 years old, died at 7:15 Wednesday night in a Sioux City hospital more than 7 hours after the shooting, while Mr Storey died at 10, three hours later.

Mr Storey was a son of the late Mr and Mrs R.C. Storey, for many years residents of Storm Lake and vicinity and spent the greater share of his life here. He was 42 years old. He lived in Storm Lake with a former wife a few years ago. Later they were divorced and he went to Sioux City to reside. He was married the second time at that place.

Surviving are a son, Palmer Storey, by his first marriage; three brothers, Dr William Storey of Madison, WI; Earl Storey of Casey, Iowa; and Walter Storey of Linn Grove, who was seriously injured in an auto accident north of Storm Lake several months ago; and one sister, Mrs Glen Geisinger of Storm Lake.

According to the Sioux City Journal, the murder and suicide were enacted in the apartment at 913 1/2 Nebraska street, occupied by Mr and Mrs Storey. Mrs Storey had threatened to leave her husband and the threat enraged the latter to such an extent that he decided on the double killing rather than be separated from her, police who investigated the tragedy said they were told.

The following note was left by Storey: I'm doing this because I could not stand to have Ethel leave me. I think the world and all of her and she said she was going to leave me. So bury us in the same grave. Notify Herman Wynn, Jefferson, SD and Mrs G.H. Geisinger, Storm Lake, Iowa. You will find pictures of us at the Van Dyke studio.

Detectives Edward Becker and Lou Miller, who investigated the case said that Storey had not been working for more than two months and that during the last two weeks his wife had been threatening to leave him. Shortly before noon the couple quarreled and Mrs Storey said she was leaving. Storey ran into an adjoining room, pulled a .22 caliber revolver from a dresser drawer and fired a shot at his wife. The bullet pierced her temple. Storey then turned the gun on himself and sent a bullet thru his forehead.

Several minutes after the first shot was fired police were notified. Two ambulances were dispatched to the house and the victims were taken to St Vincent's hospital. When ambulance attendants picked up Storey and his wife both were conscious. Soon after their arrival at the hospital they lapsed into a coma from which they failed to rally.

Mr and Mrs Storey were married four years ago and had quarreled almost constantly during that time. Storey attempted to shoot Mrs Storey a short time ago but the bullet missed its mark and buried itself in the wall.

Less than two hours before the tragedy, Mrs Storey had posed for a picture at the photographers studio. Storey accompanied her down town. They returned home together. Commotion in the Storey apartment followed immediately. Neighbors said there was a sound as if something heavy was being dragged across the floor. The heavy object probably was Mrs Storeys packed and locked cedar chest which bore evidence of having been jerked across the floor and left in the center of the room.

Mrs Storey was born in Parker, SD, Oct 12, 1896 and lived there until she was 18 years old, when she came to Sioux City.

Storey was born in Storm Lake in 1883 and lived there until he was a young man when he came to Sioux City.

Mrs Storey is survived by her father, C.J. Benson, 4433 Tyler street and a sister, Mrs Ernest Leming, Malloy road. The bodies of the victims of the tragedy are at Samuel's funeral home pending the completion of funeral arrangements.