The Nevada Democrat., 1858-02-24
Horrible Murder and Suicide In Grass
V~1IAU

The most horrlole Tragedy Wnlcn we nave ev.
er been called upon to record, happened in
Grass Valley on Sunday last. Mr.. NJ Btenan,
superintendent Of the Rocky Bar Mining Co.,
poisoned his wife and three children, by giving
them quantity Of prussic acid, and then put
an end to his own existence by taking dose Of
the same fatal drug. From letter which be
loft. 1t appears that the company for whom be
was agent, had become involved in pecuniary
difficulties, sad some Of the stockholders bad
become dissatisfied with his management. Cir.
cumstances indicate that he first poisoned his
wife, then the children, one by one, and lastly
himself. Eight ounce vials, which had contain
ed the poison, were found in the house, and
about seven ounces had been used. The body
Of Mrs. Brennan was lying on q sofa in the
parlor, and 10 the same room lying on the floor,
were the bodies Of Mr.. Brenan and their Oldest
child, girl some four or five years old. The
bodies of the ether two children were lying on
BEDS in separate rooms. An inquest was held
by Coroner Bazely, on Monday, to whom we
are indebted for all the facts we have been able
to obtain.
It seems that Mr.. Martineau called at the
house, about half past ten o'clock in the morn
ing Mr.. Brenan met him at the door, and in
formed him that his wife was not well, and re-
quested him to call again in the latter part of
the day. He called as requested, and found the
servant girl, who had been at church during
the day, attending to her duties about the
house. To his inquiries as to where the family
were, she remarked that they were probably
asleep, as she had not seen or heard them since
her return to the house. Mr.. Martineau then
knocked at the parlor door, and receiving no
answer, his suspicious were aroused that all was
not right He then left and related bis fears to
some others, who returned with him to the
house, and on breaking open the doors, the
bodies we're found as above described. 1t is
supposed by some, that Mrs. Brenan assisted in
this tragic affair, but this is mere conjecture.
Mr.. Brsnan has resided in Grass Valley about
year, MAS much respected, and the circum-
stances attending his death. as might be expect
ed created profound sensation in that comm u
nifty He was in good circumstances when he
came to this country, but his property being
mostly invested in the stock Of the Rocky Bar
Mining Co., was swallowed up in the losses sus-
tained by the company. The funeral took place
yesterday, and WAS attended by almost the en-
tire population Of Grass Valley--the stores aud
places Of business being closed. Mr.. Brennan,
we are informed, was an Irishman by birth,
and has mother and sister residing in N. York,
whe were dependent on him for support. Hu
left about . hundred and thirty dollars in
money, which he requested should be cent TO
them.
Late last evening we were placed in possess
ion Of the evidence taken before the Coroner's
jury, and also copy of the following letter.
addressed to Mr.. Martneau, which was found
on Mr.. Brennan's desk. The evidence was re-
eeived at too late an hour for us to publish:
W. Martineau--I leave you power of attorney
Will, aud Bill OF Sale OF all my personal effects
and the house. The power that you may do
the best you can for yourself-the other two
papers, that you may have the house, winch Is
justly yours, and thai you may turn anything
that is niue inte money, when Send 10 Robert
Thallon, Hanover Bank Buildings, New York
City for the use of my mother aud sister, who
are left destitute. This is my only regret in
leaving, otherwise | am very happy in goiug
with my beloved wife and ch ildren TO where |
have no doubt we shall have better fate than
any possible for US here. have written to
ThallOn IL Satterhwaite, SO ThrockmortOn street
London, about my mother and sister. Gl 900
AZ 7 yer cent, would make them comfortable.
They and few friends might do something for
then-the richer English stockholders. The
money the company owes me would be for
tune to them. Suppose you write Sattherwaite
a line, and tell him what have risked aud lost
DO any thing you can that way-'tis my only |
sorrow. | would continue here could [ help |
them. But feel it is quite impossible hence |
forth. For ten years they have had nothing
but what sent them. Ii any money Of niue
oan be got out OF the concern, send it to Mr.. |
Thallon tor same purpose
You will 6nd lists OF attachments, confessions
and notes in my pocket memorandum book.
See that Mr.. Judd loses nothing by the Wood
vile affair. would not have him lose dollar
on my account Tell him remember him as
q true and noble-hearted friend.
am glad you remain to tell all the world
that have, in all, done what was right aud
honorable, as far as l could see it, at the time.
"The proof IL to die" No other would ever
clear mel; did live aud ever do well, many
would believe had acted basely here-and this
would make life bitter.
There is little money, the last have. in the
left hand drawer of this desk. Send it to Thai
lou lot my mOtuer anu slster-uon't mln0 Durl-
al expenses Grass Valley owes me aud my
family enough earth to cover US, aud that is all
we want.
Tell Chavaure do not blame him-poor fel-
low he has a great risk, and is trying to save
it; he would have done better by both being
more precise to his word. AS it u.s. thlnk the
creditors should At once have the property
But do net blame him. | think his acts of the |
last few weeks have been done under madness.
Iweud like to mention many whose kind
aess have felt. Mr.. aud Mrs. Rush; that good
little Mrs. Solomon-her sweet good face cut
me to the heart, knowing the loss had. in some
sort brought on her interest; although. like 9TH
srs-liks YOU aud myself thought all would
be WELL | do not feel that have misled or de-
ceived any enc, (Massachusetts Hill is the de-
ceiver,) but they would all feel that had done
il, which could not bear.
Oae thing eighty troubles me, that we may |
be buried before being dead. Make sure of this.