New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-09-03
HORRIBLE TRAGEDY.
of The y. Y. Tribune.

Correspondence of The y. Y. Tribune.
STERLING, New-York, Aug. 81, 1855.
Being accustomed to look to THE WEEKLY TRlB-
UNE for a summary of Iews from all quarters,
think it fair to other readers TO promptly contrib
ute when an opportunity occurs.
Our town has just been the scene of an awful
tragedy An old man named Fitzgerald, with his
wife, and son aged some Ia years, were about
3 o'clock on the morning of the Both, killed by
another son named john about 1S years old, IN
der the following circumstances, as related BY
John in confession which he made to me. + or
some months be bad been very angry with his pa
rents, because they we're very much dspleased
with his course in he family and elsewhere. This
anger he nourshed till it grew into feeling OF
dread yindctiyeness, and he threatened them
occasionally with harm. About ten days since he
procured some stry chime and attempted to poison
the family, which they fortunately discovered IN
time and we're on their guard against it. Fooled
in this the precOc0us villain formed new plan,
which at the time mentioned he proceeded 70 put
in execution On the night in question the vie
tins went to bed in a room of Of the kitchen, the
parents in bed and the lad James on lounge.
Patrick. an older brother, slept in an alcOve or re-
cess in the kitchen, while JOIN lay down on the
floor When all were sound as,tep, John took an
axe which was kept in the house, entered che bed
lot ~ and at ole blow cut the fa'le-s head nearly
of the STROKE fell upon the right side Of the neck
and passed nearly thrOu IA that ouly the ntegu-
utIts Il tie left side remained lie Of course died
instantly without a motion or s0dnd, as the spi-
nal cOiCmn aas cut quite through lie then
struck bis mother upon the neck, hui not killing
Ter at tie first blow she partially raised up and
threw herself forward acres. he bosom OF her nus
bald, in which position be dealt her two more
blows upon the neck aud shoulder, and she never
stirred more. Then turning 10 James he dealt
lin blow across the chees, aud another slighter
one On the temple when lie struggled of OF the
lounge and in falling upon the door Awakened
Patrick, who started up and was met by John at
the door between the rooms who said 70 him %
that somebody was trying 10 kill his father, aud
told him to run for the neighbors, which he at once
did and then ran for ply stefan some two miles
When tie Doctor arrived the boy was still alive
but 80 near, BLEED to death that be survived but
few moments. John remained in the room much
excited and SAY ing that he saw two negroes run
ming away from the house. soon however, 1t Was
thought best 10 take him into custody. When
Visited tie place of the tragedy about noon, the
scene may be imagined BY those who have W.T.
pessed similar horrors, but canuOt be ade-
oustely described. The m,Dglcd ones lay
ss tbey died-the bed and floor was gore Of
blood, hundreds II people we're coming and going,
John still resolutely asserting that some negroes
killed them, was up stairs PInioned and Ia charge
of On officer He had been Formerly In my service,
and was soon lett alone with the wretchcd boy.
when all he'd gone out his sulleu aud defiant man
ner changed, and had converted with him but y
few minutes when he threw himself into my ).
sou mud, sohbing and weeping Tho punished
child, be coniesad 10 no the hcts which arc do
tailed above Aiirfwnid he confessed them % tho
Negotiate. q, \ 1ilfprd, who had him NJ TOT eA
animation Tho Coionrf MIR HOLSTER. has just
held an inquest. when tho jury returned a VERDICT
Ia accordance with tho abo,o facts, hinoo thea
John has said that he was aided aud bis.iE sioi by
an aeeompiiee but 90 pfeseht I, 10 aot rfadcht to
cay mpie on thai point You're. ifalr, IN +
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nftRiKG. CaJaga 90. Avg a. is5a
ihis afIsfaeos I visited tho soeAe ei hDoit