Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1855-09-11
From the N. 7. Tribune.
HORRIBLE TRAGEDY.
SrRaL,Hc. Nev-Yorl Ana

STERLING, Newly Aug. 81, 1855.
Being accustomed to look to TIE WEEKLY
think it fair to other readers to promtly 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 IL years old, un-
der the following circumstances, as related by
John, in q confession which he made to me. For
some months he had been very angry with his
parents, because they were very much displeased
with his course in the family and elsewhere. This
anger he nourished till it grew into feeling of
dreadful vindictiveness, and he threatened them
occasionally with harm. About ten DAYS since he
procured some strychnine and attempted to poison
the family, which they fortunately discovered in
time and were on their guard against it. Fooled
in this, the precocious villain formed new plan.
which at the time mentioned he proceeded to put
in execution. On the night in question the VIC
Tins went to bed in room off of the kitchen. the
parents in a bed and the lad James on a lounge
Patrick, an older brother, slept in alcove or re-
cess in the kitchen, while John lay down on the
floor. When all were sound asleep, John took an
axe which was kept in the house, entered the bed
room and at one blow cut the fathers head nearly
off, the stroke fell upon the right side of the neck
and passed nearly through that only the integu-
ments the left side remained; he Of course died
instantly, without a motion a sound, as the spi-
nal column was cut quite through. He then
struck his mother upon the neck, but not killing
her at the first blow she partially raised ND and
threw herself forward the bosom vf her hus-
band, in which position he dealt her two moro
blows upon the neck and shoulder, and she never
stirred more. Then turning to james he dealt
him a blow across the cheek, and anvther slighter
one on the temple, when he struggled off Of the
lounge, and in falling upon the floor awakened
Patrick, who started up and was met by John at
the door, between thc rooms, who said to him (P.)
that somebody was trying to kill his father, and
told him to run for tn, neighbours which he at once
did, and then ran for physician some two miles.
Wheuthe Doctor arrived the boy was still alive,
but nearly bled to death th,t he survived but a
few moments. john remained in the room much
excited, and saying that he saw two negroes run
ming away from the house. Soon, however it was
thought best to take him into custody. When I
visited the place of the tragedy, about noon, the
scene may be imagined by those who have wit
messed similar horrors, but cannot be adequately
described. The mangled ones lay as they died
the bed and floor was gore of blood, hundreds of
people were coming DIGGING, John still resolutely
asserting that negroes killed them, was up
stairs pinioncd and in charge of an oliic.r. lie
had been formerly in my service, and soon
left alone with the wretched boy. When all had
gone out his sullen and def INT manner changed,
an! h ID converscd with him but few minutes
when he threw himself into my bosom, and, sob
b M andwecping like punished child, he con-
fe> ed to me the facts as detailed above. After
ward h. confessed them to the NJ ,gistrate, G. S.
TIiforI, who had him up for examination. The
Co. oner, MIR. Iiolistcr, has Just held an inquest,
when the Jury returned Il verdict in accordance
with the above facts. Since then John has said
that h. WIS aided and instgated by accomplish
but ~ present it is not prudent to say more On
that point. Yours, truly, j. H. P.