The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-05-02

SHOOTING DOWN MAN IN HIS OWN HoUsE-rHE
WOULD BE MURDERER IN PRfsoN-coNDTFfoN OF
THE woUNDED-cAusE OF THE ATrEMPT-PREvA-
LENT RUMORs, ETC.
From the New Haven Palladium, April SOL
The city thrown into extense excitement Sat-
srcay evening by report that murder had been COM
mitted Vest Chapel street. under the aggrava.
ting circumstances.
some two years SINCE Mr. willard Clark now 81 years
Of age who for the last four 1--WE years been the
proprietor Of small grocery, the OF York and
George streets, became acquainted with and shortly
n, daughter of Mr. John Bogart, now resident at Is
West Chapel street. The young lady was then fifteen
years of age. After some months an engagement Of
marriage was concluded but year since this engage
nent broken off by mutual consent Of the parties
Miss telling him that she did not entertain affection
enough for him to become his wife.
Notwithstanding this rupture, Clark has since been
IN the habit Of occasionally caog upon MISS Bogart
who received visits against inclination although
she treated him with politeness This breaking OF the
engagement as we understand, was not only in accord
ance with Miss Bogarts own preference, but with the
wishes OF her friends her family being advised by
tyes to have Mr. Clark discontinue his calls account
OF his lack OF moral and religious principles, OF hich
Some year and half since, Miss Bogart formed the
acquaintance of Mr.. Richard W. Wight, now aged 20,
who had then been in the city two years aud half
and was up to Saturday last employ ed in the lock fac
tory Of Msssrs Davenport Mallory on East street
taehment, and were united in marriage by Rev. Mr.
Elliott OF this city, on the 18th of March The rise and
progress Of their intimacy was carefully watched by
Clark, who since their union has had some words OF
aifs-nsion with Wight, and intimated that he, Wight,
sue has occurred has been looked for Matters
pertaining to the family were in this train until Satur.
day last, in the evening of which Mr.. and Mrs Wight
intending to from the house of Mr. Bogart
and commence boarding in house adjoining.
house Of Mr. Charles Beers No Al York street Adjon
ing his store and Mr.. Beers coming to the door, re-
quested to see his Mr. W. A. Beers, Who is proprie
toT Of city Daguerrean establishment. he inform
ed that he not in Clark turned to leave the steps,
when Mr.. Beers asked him what he wanted He replied,
~ want 10 borrow his pistol, to shoot hungary cat
Mat steals my meat
Mr. Beers informed him that he could loan him the
pistol and proceeding 10 his sons room brought to the
door revolver and common ''stub'' pistol, with le-
hammer trigger, the barrel not four inches
In length, and the bore, should Judge from examna
zion, thres-eghtbs of an inch in diameter Clark
offered his choice Of these weapons, but said1 think
ase Of revolver" Mr. Beers informed him that he had
NO balls to fit the smaller and Clark took from him
svo balls fitted to the revolver much smaller than those
During the afternoon, he called on Mr. VIM. DECKER
man, of No II West Chspel street. to borrow pr
and said TO Clarkt'There they are put your hand in
and take rome, and Clark did So We learn from
gentleman to whom Clark himself gave the information
That these caps did not fit the pistol and that at later
period, he purchased that did, at q shop in the
If4P. M on Saturday, Clark visited the house Of
Mr.. Bogart. Neither Mr.. nor MrI Wight were in, and
ne saw only Mrs Bogart We do not learn that he ap
peared at all different in manner from what he had be-
fore exhibited He then told Mrs. Bogart that Mrs W.
should leave her fathers house to live with Wight
Mrs. Bogart replied that he must not come there
house.
At7P NJ Mr.. and Mrs. Wight had nearly completed
the preparations for leaving their fathers roof Their
goods were packed and they sitting in back
the family At this time the street door was opened by
Clark, who walked in, passed through the hail. and
Tered the room He said nothing more than Good
Mr. Wsh. 0u' we 20 not learn 'ha' ne was 0
In half moment Mr. and Mrs. Wight arose and passed
through short spaceway into the parlor where OF
their things had been placed Clark folio wing after them
Mr.. Wight kneeled down near the door through which
had ., 1ssf
pick up or tie up bundle, and Mrs. Wight his
left hand, with an infant brother in her arms.
middle of the room and paced it across two or three
times stepped behind Wight, who had not arisen and
s pistol ne had Ss ers Of tb M nst
within foot OF his head), he fired He was seen to
present the pistol by Mrs Wight but the firing thereaf
Der was instantaneous, and she could give alarm
Wight Immediately fell down upon his side, ncohs.
Tently grooming. Mrs. W. burst forth into scream,
and fed at once to the ba,k room. She yesterday as
serted that after Clark had fred he took hold of her
and shook her vioenty but the shock to her system
almost to render her incapable Of precise
knowledge that time and in this che may be incor-
rect Mr Boysrt at entered the ROOM but the hall
and street doors were open, and Clark had gone.
THE ARREST.
Leaving the house OF Mr.. Bogart Clark walked quietly
down Chapel street. and arriving at York street.
down in the direction Of his store Two young men,
Messrs. Dibble and Munson, who were passing TIA
house at the time Of the report entered and ascertain
ing what had taken place, Immediately started for
policeman. Officer Lee Cunning, whose beat includes
West Chapel street. found, and at oace pro-
ceeded to Clarks store
On the wsy thther it is now ascertained Clark him
sef stopped at Mr. Beers where he had borrowed the
pistol Mrs. b. came to the door, and Clark returned
It. Mrs. B. asked him if he had shot the cat. he
pied, 81 have shot two legged cat instead Of four.
legged one you will hear more about 1t to morrow, If
In few moments officer Cunning entered, and the
following conversation ensued:-
'Good evening" Mr.. Clark"
"Good evening, sir +"
What have you been doingS"
"Certauly, Isuppose must" Clark then took some
money from his pocket and gave to his partner with
eat appearing perfectly cool and collected. He then
took the officers arm, and the two started for the jail
We learn that although policeman D. expected and was
whole walk he neither made attempt or manifested
the slightest desire to escape He carried himself like
nan who going about his usual employm0nt1 During
walk the officer inquired and Clark responded
"Wsaat did yod 90 this for, Clark ~
al don't know"
"was 1t premeditated9n
"No, not exactly premeditated but thought might
have trouble with him. some tme and that would DO
Arrived at the jail he was received by Mr. Bryan,
searched and In half hour after he shot Wight be
lodged in cell No 1ethe occupied by the murderer
Jennings after his condemnation and up to his exscu
ton Here for the present we leave him. and renrn to
Mr. wight was Immediately raised aud placed
cot bed in the parlor and Mrs W. removed to another
Wild laughter shs at times INDUCED in seemed to de-
note that her brain was turned by the horrible
lamity.
Contrary expectations, visiting Mr.. Bcgarts
at 10 O'Clock yesterday A. NJ found Mr. Wight still
living. His wife by his bedside in as quiet mind
rs could be expected. Her husbands eyes continued
closed but just previous to entrance he had opened
them for moment at Mrs. WIS request, and also had
taken hand Physicians had been in attendance and
probed the wound but had not found the ball.
At1KP N. we again visited the house During the
forenoon lady in combng Mr.. WIS hair, discovered
eliot blood the back OF his head little above the
line Of the place where the ball had entered aud wash
ing Il away found that the scalp at least broken
there Dr. Punderson at once called in other phys
clans came and il was then concluded that the ball,
which had yet been found probably passed out of
the brain in that place, though this was not certain
Mr. w. was in the condition as in the morning,
and hopes were held out that he we're kept quiet he
might recover.