The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1857-11-24
/ III f. DISP ATCH-
FrightfuI Tragedy on Long IsIand--
Double Murder and Suieide

bloody tragedy occurred at Port Jefferson.
Long Island, n. T., on Saturday morning, in which
man named Waters. who feared his wife would
leave her property to daughter by former hus-
band, killed his own wife and her daughters hus-
band, and fatally wounded her daughter. 4 little
boy In the garret was the only person who heard
tue attack on them. The Herald of Sunday SAYS:
About halfpast seven yesterday morning while
Mrs waters of Port jefferson. was at fact -
company with her son-in-law. Mr.. Sturdevant and
hls wife, who also resided in Port Jefferson Mr.
Waters, her husband, who had been ont of The
honse for some time previous suddenly entered
the room with an iron bar in his hand and with
out speaking word, struck either his wife or MIR
Sturdevant with the formidable yeanon obi.b ba
carried with him violent and il is sunnosed fa+a,
blow on the head. The only person in the hor.e
sssldes the party at breakfast, was a how of ahort
ten years old. After the blow had been delivarad
terrible shrieking succeeded for moment or t,,,
during which the boy, who had concealed himself
up stairs heard distinctly two or three other bloy
aIlng in quick succession. Then the shriaking
proceeded only from one voice, and ssInurder 3
MURDER was loudly shouted
Two OF three additional blows were oain on;c.s
ly delivered, and then there was no noise. excent
footstep apparently leaving the scene of the ira
dy ana proceeding up stairs The boy now cnr.
ceaied himself closely under bedstead while the
iootsteps after reaching to the top of the stairs
turned into another room from that in which tha
boy vas concealed. The lak pe,hans susnacting
that MIR. Waters wanted to kill or beat him. ran
down stairs as fast as he could and WAS rani3Iy 10
ioiiowed by Waters, who had the horrible weapon
In his hand with which he had perpetrated tho
frightful series of crimes The lad howeyar g..
capped by outrunning his pursuer and then snread
the alarm, whereupon number of villagers in the
neigllborhood of the house proceeded to the snct
outside the door, and few PAGES from it. a ter
Tlple spectacle was presented; Mrs Stur,ieyant
lay in state of insensibiIity on the ground Her
head and face were covered with blood and che
had received "a heavy stroke from an iron bar. on
the head, which would, of ITSELF have been sufti-
cient. it ts believed, to cause death
On entering the house evidences Of the awfn,
crime OF which it haG 80 lately been the scene ve a
scattered ali round, in the form of blood on the
walls, &c. These were more numerous as thev
neared the breakfast room. What a scene was
tnere! TWO human beings Who a few moments
before had been i'll the enjoyment ofperfect healtb,
and engaged in perhaps pleasant conversation
While they parteok Of the breakfast laid before
then: Low lay dead, their heads battered ia n
frlShtful manner, and their persons altogetl,e or
presenting the most horrible spectacle that can be
imagined. There were the breakfast things which
lie" moments before were TO all appearance to be
partaken otby the unsuspecting party before whom
they were placed, now mingled with blood and
corr ses, and scattered throughout the room in all
directions. 1t was evident 20 all those who wit
messed what was before them that instant death
must Eaye been the result OF the blows which mutt
lated the heads OF Mrs. Waters and Mr. Sturdeyant
u tIle manner We nave described,
In the barn. suspended from a ioist by the neck :
were the remains Of the iendish maniac who had
been the clIse of ell the calamity lie was uuite
dead ana his body, Us it was suspended with the
muscles Of the face distorted and all the other ar.
pearances the lesu,t Of fs;rangultion rendered the
corpse sight terrible TO the quiet villagers Qf
Port Jefferson.
The Herald adda:
Mrs. Waters was formerly married TO the late Mr..
Darling, ship builder in Port jefferson. She had
been about two years married to Waters before the
murder occurred, during which time they lived to-
gether 10 all appearance in the most afectiOnate
hiallief Mrs. Waters was about fifty years old.
ana Naters about whom we have not as Vet been
aole 10 learn much appeared to be about ive years
younger. Mt. Sturdevants occupation we have
NOT been able TO learn. but he was about thirty
years Old, while his wife, who was the daughter Of
MIS- waters by her former husband. was little
more than twenty, and a lady like person in every
respect The boy that was up stairs and who had
shL "a barrow chance Tor hIs life, also q child
OF MRS. Vi aters by her former husband and he is a
smart, intelligent young y1unc ial, Of ten years
CID, a. his well planned aud fortunate escape
proves.
The cause Of this awful affair is rfect mystic
~ to All with whom we have conyerset on the sub
Jcct. ihey allege. however. that Mrs.. Waters was
very much attached to her dau ghter and her hus
band, and that she possessed good deal 81 prop
erty since the death of her first husband She was
yer; liberal with her daughter aDd il IS supposed
that her husband. noticing many material proofs
OF TINS lterality in the shape Of presents mag
lhei tLat ne was not the chief object Of her cares
ami aiiecton and rejecting upon this, or perhaps
tearing that she might finally be led to settle all
hef ptop-ity on her soEin-law he came to the ma
hi2cH cohc!nsICn otaeengjng himself in the heart.
ren8ing manner il which ne harbarously murder.
ed his wife, his friend and himself and attempted
a,no7' successfully III one instance to destroy the