Sarah C Wallace
 

Kentucky Post, Monday, 10 April 1905, page 5

Fred Wallace, colored, made a cold blooded attempt to murder his wife last night in front of their home, 412 Saratoga st. Newport. Without warning Wallace fired a bullet into his wife's brain and then made his way to Cincinnati, where he was caught and held for the Newport police. The shooting occurred about 7 o'clock. Mrs. Wallace was out on the pavement in front of their home helping her little daughter hunt some pennies that she had lost. Wallace came out of the house and said:

"Sarah, you come here to me." His wife replied: "Now Fred, you let me alone."

She had hardly finished speaking when Wallace drew his revolver and taking deliberate aim, fired. The bullet crashed through her skull and she fell to the pavement. The wounded woman was carried into the house by neighbors and F A Stein summoned. He ordered her taken at once to Speers Hospital. Shortly after arriving at the hospital, Mrs. Wallace gave birth to a girl.

Dr. Young the hospital physician, found that the bullet entered the brain near the base, and that the wound was necessarily fatal. Chief Deputy had Lt. Bregel and Leahrey, together with Officers Amrein and Wright, make a search of the vicinity for Wallace. They learned that he had taken a car for Cincinnati.

He had gone to the home of Ed Crosby at 426 E Seventh st. He told Crosby: "I filled Sarah full of holes and she is done for. Go over to Newport and get my gun." R E Pettingill, who was visiting Crosby, overheard Wallace's remarks and he at once notified the police, who took him to Hammond st. Station. Later Wallace was turned over to Officers Stapleton and Kearns, who lodged him in Newport Jail. He was very sullen and refused to make any statement about the shooting.

Four months ago, Wallace, who is called "Mooneye" and has a police reputation met a colored man and his (Wallace's) wife while they were returning from a theater in Cincinnati. At Fourth and Saratoga sts. both men began shooting and in consequence Wallace's opponent fell with a bullet in his groin. Wallace was never punished.

When seen in jail today he appeared very repentant and seemed to fully realize the awful deed which he had committed. He said: "I don't know what tempted me to shoot. I was mean from drink and Sarah was not tending to her duties. Saturday night when I came home she had no supper ready and I asked her why she didn't treat me better. She said: 'You are no account, you dog. If you don't like your home you know what you can do.' Saturday morning she wouldn't get my breakfast and I had to go to mother's and get something to eat. During all of Sunday we quarreled and drank considerable beer.

About 7 o'clock I picked up my coat and told her I was going to Cincinnati. My revolver was in one of the pockets and when she followed me taunting me, saying I was going over the river to spend my money, I turned and fired. As soon as I had pulled the trigger I realized my mistake, but it was too late. She fell to the pavement bleeding from the wound and I hurried away. I intended to return and give myself up but I did want to stay in jail over night."

The condition of the woman at noon was critical and the attending physician says there is no hope for her recovery.

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Kentucky Post, Thursday, 13 April 1905, page 5

MRS. WALLACE BURIED

The funeral of Mrs. Sarah Wallace, who was shot and killed by her husband at their home, 412 Saratoga st. Newport, took place this morning with requiem mass at the Immaculate Conception Church on West Fifth st. The pastor, Father McNerney, officiated, and the services attracted quite a concourse of people, many of whom were white.

Father McNerney delivered a short sermon, but did not dwell on the tragedy in which the woman lost her life more than to call attention to the uncertainty of life and the great necessity of always being prepared to meet one's maker. At the close of the services the body was taken to St Stephen Church (Cemetery) for interment. Among those present were many of the relatives of the man, who is a prisoner in Newport Jail, charged with murder.

Wallace asked Jailer Pfloeger if it could be arranged so that he could take a last look at his wife and was told that it would be impossible to grant his request. He is rapidly breaking down and fully realizes the enormity of his act.

Many of the colored residents of Newport are bitter in the denunciation of Wallace, now that he is in jail. He has always been feared by the colored people of the city and it was predicted on numerous occasions that he would kill some one. He always went armed and would seek trouble on the slightest provocation. The preliminary examination was begun before Squire Donelan at 2 pm.

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Cincinnati Enquirer, Thursday, 13 April 1905, page 3

The funeral of Sarah Wallace, colored, who was shot and killed by her husband, Fred Wallace, last Sunday, will take place this morning, with services at the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

The remains will be interred at St Stephen Cemetery.

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Kentucky Post, Thursday, 18 May 1905, page 5

The son born to Mrs. Fred Wallace, who was shot by her husband several weeks ago, died today at Speers Hospital. The child was born shortly before his mother died from the wound she received. The father of the boy is being held in Newport Jail to answer for the murder of his wife. The murder was a cold blooded one, Wallace shooting his wife in the head without warning. They had previously quarreled over some family affairs. She had gone out of the house and was on the sidewalk, when Wallace followed her out, firing one shot, which pierced her brain. She died two days later at Speers Hospital. The child was raised by artificial means.

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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 28 June 1905, page 5

In the examination of the 50 extra jurymen summoned only eight jurors for the Wallace trial were secured. Mr. Burkamp objected to taking the four needed jurors from the regular venire of 34, but Judge Berry overruled him The Court declared that they were selected by a commission composing three of the best known and highly respected citizens of Campbell County and he did not feel warranted in casting them aside.

The four needed jurors were secured and the trial of Wallace proceeded. Several witnesses for the State were heard and adjournment was had until 2:30 pm. Wallace, who is a colored man, shot his wife through the head at their home on Columbia st. last April. They had a family quarrel and when Mrs. Wallace left the house Wallace followed her and fired a bullet into her brain.

She was hurried to Speers Hospital where she gave birth to a son. The child lived some months but the mother died the day following the shooting.

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