Monica Kuich, age 10, witnessed the murder of neighbor Edythe Ward Giles and the suicide of former husband, Rufus E. Giles, in the front yard of 5225 So. Junett, on July 13, 1937. Monica stands by her doll carriage on a board walkway in front of her house near the Tacoma Masoleum. She was playing with her doll in the street fronting the murdered woman's home when she heard a scream and saw the victim running from the front porch. Mr. Giles then shot his ex-wife in the back with a rifle and turned the gun on himself. The Tacoma Times has listed the murder victim as Mrs. "Ward," apparently her former name. According to her son, Ivan Ward, his mother had divorced Mr. Giles but apparently was living with him again. Rufus Everett ("Bob") Giles, age 44, was a city jail trusty. He had apparently asked permission to leave the jail to retrieve a pair of shoes and permission was granted. Mr. Giles had been sentenced to twenty days in jail for drunk driving and was working in the police garage. (T.Times, 7-14-37, p. 1)

Witnesses--Tacoma; Homicides--Tacoma; Children playing with dolls--Tacoma; Kuich, Monica;

Monica Kuich, age 10, was a witness to the murder/suicide of Edythe Ward Giles and Rufus E. (Bob) Giles in the front yard of 5225 So. Junett on July 13, 1937. She is pictured kneeling next to her doll buggy in her home decorated with lineoleum floor, floral wallpaper, patterned sheer curtains, and console radio. Family photographs are placed on top of the wooden console. Monica had been playing in the street in front of her neighbor's house when she witnessed Mrs. "Ward" running from the front porch and saw Mr. Giles aim a rifle to shoot her in the back. After shooting his former wife, he then put the rifle into his mouth and fired. (T. Times, 7-14-37, p. 1).

Witnesses--Tacoma; Homicides--Tacoma; Children playing with dolls--Tacoma; Kuich, Monica;