Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-09-04
Parricido and Fratricido-Tho North
Sterling Tragedy.

Parricido and Fratricido-The North
Sterling Tragedy.
Under the telegraph head on Saturday morn
ing, we published account Of a horrible murder
at Sterling, near Oswego, New York. man,
his wife and son were killed by another son.
The testimony before the coroner was full and
direct, and fixed his guilt beyond question. When
charged with it by a neighbor, he admitted the
crime.
lie had been imprisoned some time since for
horse stealing. His father, by giving to neigh
Dor chattel mortgage his farm, borrowed a
hundred dollars, and freed his son. Subsequently
that neighbours son died, and the present
murderer, instead of manifesting what his father
thought would be a proper respect, rdculed the
ceremonies, he and his parents being Catholics
On this the father and son quarreled, and in the
night, when the three were sleeping, he killed
them all with an axe. DIR. Proudft thus testi-
fled before the coroner 5 jury:
was called on this morning by Patrick Ftz-
gerald, son Of the murdered man, who said his
folks were all. poisoned or killed. l asked him
what was the.matter; said John was carrying on
like the devil, and said there negroes in the
house; asked Patrick if there was any poison in
the house; said his mother had told him John
had put poison in the sugar last Sunday.
When | came to the house saw James, the
murdered son lying the floor, covered with
blood; had large cash in the face jaw, and
in the temple; thought it done by an axe; sowed
up wounds. Have examined the bodies of Mark,
(the father,) Mary, Che mother,) and James
Fitzgerald find Mark Fitzgerald neck lite
rally severed from the body, excepting skin in
two places; said wound, in my opinion, was
made with an axe, while deceased was in bed,
causing instant DEATH
Mary Fitzgerald has four wounds, one super
fetal wound in the neck; the large blood vessels
not cut; one wound on the left shoulder pene-
trated into the muscles that capped the shoulder;
toward the right shoulder, partly severing the
spinal column, and one about half an inch above
this penetrating slantingly; have no doubt of the
blows inflicted causing her death. James had
one wound on the cheek, and one on the temple,
made with an axe; am satisfied they were the
cause of his death
| saw an axe in the door yard that had blood on
the helve in several places; think, from rust on
it, that it had been washed; the handle was
secured and scraped. During the whole time of
examination, John was in great excitement, say
ing, sob, my father; Oh, my mother; Oh, my
brother, what made me do this" or "why did
do this,"
The following is the statement of Messrs. Adie
and Plum, to whom the prisoner made con-
irsson
ssJohn Fitzgerald coniesses that he did kill his
father, mother, and brother with an axe about
o'clock on the morning of Thursday, August 80.
That since the funeral of his brother, on the 9th
of May-which he did not attend-hs parents
have been dspleased with him, and he angry
with them for their course, which anger has
grown upon him till about week ago he tried
TO poison them by putting some strychnine into "a
tumbler of sugar.
at was from the same bottle which was found
in his trunk. Says no one knew anything Of his
intention to kill them"
After the examination of witnesses, Justice
Tiliord requested the presence of the prisoner.
On appearing, he said TO him, 'John, you
charged with the murder of your father, mother,
and brother | wish TO ask you few questions;
but will say to you that you need not answer
less you choose. Do you know how your father,
mother and brother received their wounds,'
Prisoner-''I do. With an axe
Justce--"In whose hands,"
Prsoner--''ln my ownl | tried to poison
father and mother about week ago."
Justce-''What was the poison ini''
Piisoner-"ln phal in my trunk. got it in
Oswego; don't know who Of. did not get poi
with intent to kill father and mother"
Justice -"Had you conversation with any one
in relation TO the matter before you committed
the crme;''
Prsoner-'I had a conversation with some one
about killing father and mother, but object to tell
ing with whom"
We were admitted 10 the room containing the
bodies, which had been washed and laid out.
While we stood gazing at the lifeless forms,
slight opening made by those surrounding
the bed, and the murderer stood before US, look
ing at his victims Hardly breath broke the
stiffness, as he gazed at their pallid, upturned
faces, until a sob broke from him, when his whole
fame shook with emotion. II was but transitory,
however, be regained his composure, and was led
out Of the room in a moment.
The tragedy has occasioned the most intense
excitement for miles around, and the roads lead
ing to the house were thronged with teams and
pedestrians, aud large crowd was also on the
premises.