The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-10-24
Attempted Murder and Suicide.

From the Boston Advertiser, Oct 22.1
On the 18th of January last David Merrill went from
East Boston to California, leaving at the former place
wife and three children in destitute circumstances He
did not return till Thursday last During the absence
Of her husband Mrs. Merrill with the aid Of her bro
Their, had procured furniture and placed it in her
rooms, on the corner Of Porter snd Bremen streets
small amount Of money. On Thursday, however Merrill
made his appearance, but had very little communica-
ton with bis wife. He, however, found her purse Of
money which he was about to carry away when she re-
monstrated and threatened TO inform the police He then
returned all the money except fifty cent piece He then
went out and did not return till the next day when
she told him that she would not live with him any
He replied that he did not wish her to do So He
said that he "came from California certain bust
ness which he intended to finish up That business was
TO sell her things and kill her, and when he had done
that be should 60 back tc California Hearing this,
Mrs. H. fled TO the house OF Mrs. Clifford her sister
where she staid ell night. The next morning (satur,
day. she returned to the house. found her hu
lying on her bed. He soon after went out and did not
return till yesterday morning about O'clock when he
came into the front room where Mrs NJ was at work.
and sat there for nearly hour Mrs NJ went into the
bedroom and he locked the door leading the street.
and followed her. lie knocked her down and placed bis
knees on her breast Raising stletto knife In his hand
he told her that he bad bought the KNIFE on purpose
TO ILL her She cried out. " For Gods sake don't
byt he continued, saying that he had come from Cafor
MIA on purpose to kill her and hereupon began s,abbng
her in the breast She however managed to get upon
her feet and rushing to the window broke out several
paDes u glass In eneavoring 10 attract attention The
husband followed and stabbed her several times more
y this time however the noise had called several per.
sons around the door, although quarels and cries OF
murder" are no unusual thing in this building which
l. well known as the Baracoon. One young man, named
John McNulty burst open the door when Mrs Merrill
rushed out into the street and thence into her sisters
house. Being thus discovered, Merrill began stab.
bling himself and assumed such threatening aspect
that none dared to approach him. sessrs Morgan
and Aiken, Of the Seventh Police Station arrived soon
after. Merrill stabbed himself twice In the presence
Of these officers and declared his intention not be taken
alive. After violent struggle however they succeeded
in capturing him. Drs X. L. Hinekley and Daniel v.
Folts were called, and examined both parties. They
fou nd eleven stabs in the breast Of Mrs Merrill and two
upon her arms. Merrill had inflicted on himself
six sabs, of them FIVE and half inches in deptb
The blade Of the knife which he used was four and half
inches In lenght Merrill taken to the hospital aud
il thought he may recover. Mrs Merrill was not re.
moved from the Baracoon where she lay In great dis
tress at O'Clock last evening She has probably died
this. Her reason good dnrng the day and she
deposed before Capt. Phbhck 70 most the facts above
stated r Merrill was g wears age and his wic 49,
jealous is the motive assigned for ne decd