The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-09-05
The Sterling Murders.
OUR STERLING CORRESPONDENCE.

STERLING Cayuga Co., Aug. 80, 1855.
Last Moments Of he Murdered Boy-Remora, ofMe Aur
derr to Prison-His Endeapow 10 Implicate Oilers
Pdhik Fitzgerald Eromera,ed.
Our usually peaceful town thrown into state of
terrible excitement this morning, by the preparation of
deed which strikes chill of horror to every heart
boy by the name of John Fitzgerald, with u delibera-
ton Of end put end to the lives of his father mo-
Their and youngest brother. The family had retired
rest with the exception Of the criminal who had been
qusrrelng with his parents and had refused to no to
bed but lay down the floor in the kitchen. Towards
morning he arose and took axe went into the room
Of parents where at blow he nearly severed the
head of his father from his body.
He then attacked his mother, who raised her head and
TO accomplish his object, he succeeded in killing her.
He then went into the next room, where his brother
james, boy OF fourteen fifteen years old lay sleeping
on lounge. He struck the boy the face with the
making fearful cash, and breaking his jaw bone
with another effort he cut higher up into the cheek
the child BY this time the remaining brother, Patrick
Fitzgerald AWAKENED he supposes by the falling Of
James from the lounge He fastened out Of the
which he slept (for it in the room), and was
met by John who pointed to his parents chamber and
said, 60 There is man in there"
Patrick his brother James the floor welering in
his blood, and wild with fright he flew to the door and
made His escape, and alarmed the neighbors. James
ONeal was the first man 70 reach the of the hor
rid butchery.
The boy was still living. He had struggled around the
had been 10 his mothers bedside and seemed TO
recognise O'Neal, and cried Take away, take me
to your house." He literally bcd TO DEATH The neigh.
bors gathered in, and, overwhelmed with horror they
gazed the fearful specace-,he now senseless and
dying boy, with his clothes completely drcnchcd in blood
while the same fearful color dyed the floor which he
had walked in his agony, and The dead parents in each
Others arms in that bed now soaked in their own gore
And there stood the murderer fine looking boy of
between seventeen and eighteen years. He expressed
some concern but the impression of his guilt was too
strong with that awestcken crowd for him to excite
any sympathy During the whole day till the arrival of
the in the evening the greatest confusion pre-
vailed people pouring in from all parts Of the coun
try The unhappy boy has confessed his crime but
gi ypn
publicly We will wait the result Of the examination to-
morrow evening.
August II, 1855
An examination was held this evening before Justice
Tford During the day John had mentioned his brother
Patrick accompce, but afterwards denied his hay
ing any knowledge of the intent Tonight he refused TO
answer any questions, and the affair adjourned till
tomorrow at two O'Clock.
September l. 1885,
The excitement has in degree subsided in CON
sequence OF the removal OF the criminal Auburn and
The full and satisfactory acqnitta of Patrick of any guilt