A Tacoma Marriage Ends in Murder and Suicide

Tacoma, Jan. 20.—Special.—Isaac H. Bratton, who shot his wife and then killed himself last night, was a member of the Maccabees at Mexico, Mo., but had not put in his application for membership in the lodge here. He carried an insurance of $2,000 in that order, the policy being made payable to his two boys. After his marriage with Mrs. Bratton last August he had the insurance made in her name, but recently he had it changed, giving as his reason that he was afraid that she would murder him for his money. He seemed to be suspicious of his wife, stating to several that she was not a faithful wife.

Mrs. Bratton was converted during the revival services held in the First M. E. church when Bishop Joyce was here last September and had become a member on probation. Since that time she had been very zealous in religious matters, conducting services in jails, hospitals, etc., and it is said neglecting her family, leaving the care of the house to her 13-year-old daughter. Bratton often remonstrated with his wife over this, and particularly about her work at the W. C. T. U. mission on Thirteenth street, which was conducted as a sort of rival of the Salvation army. She would go to the meetings held there every evening, returning about 11 o’clock in the company of other men. This preyed greatly on Bratton’s mind, and he always stood at the door watching and waiting for his wife’s return, calling after every woman who passed: “Lizzie, Lizzie, is that you, Lizzie?” After a stormy interview about a week ago he said to her: “If I cannot get rid of you one way I will another.” Two weeks ago he bought the small store at Eleventh and J streets and put her in charge of it while he cut wood for various parties in the neighborhood. They had a dispute over the conduct of the store, he wanting to keep it open Sundays, and she refusing to have anything to do with it under the circumstances.

Mrs. Bratton was first married to a Mr. Prator when she was 15 years old, and they had one child, the girl Holly, who kept house for Bratton and his wife. After the death of her first husband she remarried, but afterward secured a divorce and married Bratton last August and moved to this city. Bratton had been married before, and the two boys James and Jesse were his children by a former marriage. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church South, and joined the church here on a transfer card. His pastor says that both were peculiar people, she being of a boisterous spirit and he being morose and quiet. Bratton during the past few weeks consulted attorneys regarding a divorce from his wife, fearing she would kill him.