The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-06-16

DEsrzRATE A,sAuLT.-Yesterday afternoon, at
about four O'Clock, three quick successive reports
of pistol in the house of Mr.. Berkeley on the
south side of Pennsylvania avenue, between Ninth
and Tenth streets, accompanied by scream,
startled the residents in that immediate neighbor-
hood, and instantly led to inquiry. 1t not lon g
before dense crowd collected.
1t appears, far we can gather the facts, that
Andrew J. Morrison and bis wife occupied rooms
at Mr.. Berkeley's, and that for some time past
jealousy bad existed on the part of Mr. Morrison
caused by young man named w. II. Hester, a
dry goods clerk. Yesterday afternoon Mr.. Nor
rison suddenly entered his lodgings, where he dis
covereahs wife and Mr.. Hester sitting together on
sofa in the parlor. Mr.. Morrison having no
doubt of improper invasion of his marital rights
and being provided with one of Colts revolvers,
fired thrice at the parties, woundng MIR. Hester
severely, if not fatally; the ball, it is said pene
trating at the buck, near the right shoulder blade,
passing downwards through the lungs; and an
other bullet, after striking the right arm of Mrs
Morrison, near the elbow, entered her side. Ii
was extracted by Dr.. Hall. The wound is not at
present thought to be dangerous.
Mr.. Hester was conveyed to his lod gings on the
opposite side OF the street. where the necessary
medical mid was administered. Justices Goddard
and Dom shortly after came into the room and
jointly subscribe to the following statement of
facts viii their examination ecited:
"About four O'Clock p. m. to- day, (June Is
! having been informed that VIM. II. Hester had
| been shot by man named Andrew J. Morrison,
| and having been informed by DR.. J. c. Hall that
he was dangerously, and probably fatally wound
ed, we proceeded to take his (Hesters) statement
| in our presence. The doctor informed him of his
critical situation, and being warned that probabl
| he might not live more than twenty minutes, he
stated that he, A. ]. Morrison, and Mrs. Fanny
"A. morrison, ms WIFE, were on very intimate terms,
and that, as dying man, he would tell the truth
He had frequently been to their boar O. house to
| see them, was to him as a brother, and Mrs Nor
rison was 10 him sister: aye, more than a sister
He had slept in the parlor all night while Mr. and
| Mrs. Morrison occupied the adjoining bed room.
| Before this occurrence (yesterday's) he went to
| the house to see MIR. and Mrs. Morrison and found
| Mrs. Morrison in the parlor They took a seat on
| q sofa together; and the weather being very warm
| he remarked, Fanny, it's warm and took of bis
cost, and resumed his seat, about the ordinary dis
| lance for conversation.
ssShe stated that che expected Mr.. Morrison in a
| few minutes. During the conversation be hea I'd
the discharge of pistol. He did see no fired
| the first shot, but Mr.. Morrison come up and
| fire the second He was, at the time of the frat
| fire, sitting with his back to the door. After hear.
| ing the second, he screamed, feeling the hurt
| MIR. Morrison then closed on him, and snapped at
his breast, when he arrested the pistol, He then
| pointed at his wiie's breast, fired and shot her
| He (Hester) had not placed his hand on Mira
! Morrison, and never had any intention towards
| her, having always thought too much of her. He
had recollection hotc his pant aloons off,
! When the officers went into Mr.. Berkeey's, for
the purpose of arresting Mr.. Morrison, they found
him at the bedside of his wife. engaged in atIec
tionate attentions, and, as we were informed by a