The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-02-09
The Washington Homicide.

from the Washington Chronicle
| lesterday afternoon our community was
startled with a report that one of the clerks
in the finance department of the Govern
meiit had been killed by young woman
and one version Of the aft ir was that the
nurderess was one OF the employees.
Upon summons from the department,
Coroner Woodman was speedily in attend
ance, and at once constituted jury of in
quest.
The jury being duly sworn, proceeded to
examine the body Of Andrew jackson Bur
roughs, who. for about eighteen months
past, has held the position OF clerk in the
Office OF the Go nptroler Of currency, and at
the time Of his death, was receiving a sal
AIRY Of 81, 600. He was a man of remark
ably fiue form, and bore every appearance
ia man Of correct habits aud exemplary
department They soon discovered that a
plstol-baIl had entered his back about two
inches to the left of the spine, in the region
of the fifth rib, aud that it still remained
too deep for the discovery Of its where
abouts DR.. Riley gave his opinion that
the wound was sufficient to cause death
The evidence adduced showed that Mr..
| Burroughs occupied desk in room on
the west range of the treasury department,
and near the hall OF principal passage on the
second floor
About midway in this passage, and I-,v
the side Of one of the room doors, there -
clock liked Dnrng several hons Of the
fatal day, young female srrns,vhat nre-
possessing III figure aud r.nnearapre. was
noticed saunterimg abor'. the hall bnt for
what purpose, Of CO.. rse no one conId snr,
mise.
:, 'io INV If four arrived, at which time
:4e Ks close their duties for the day, aud
:" :. few minutes thereafter the passage re
ferred to became througed with the retiring
employees. The female stranger then took
position in the doorway next the clock
MIR. Burroughs; apparently full OF life and
hope, not more than thirty five years of
age, left his room, and when he had passed
the clock but two or three feet. the sharp
crack Of pistol was heard
He looked around. discovered female
/: form exclaimed OH" and quickened his
pace towards the stairway, but in less than
ten seconds, a second report announced an
other wound. He reached the baluster and
! reclined against it, when one of his com
rades returning from below and ignorant of
all that TRANSFERRED, supposed that lie was
fainting, inquired what is the matter p
. to which the sinking man replied. Il don't
know"
He was conveyed to a room near by, and
expired i'll about fifteen minutes.
The young woman, who gave her name
as Mary Harris. aud whose age is supposed
to be about twenty two years, having fired
: twice, and appearing contindent that the
work OF death was accomplished, remained
and, evincing no excited feelings, slowly put
her pistol in her pocket aud awaited furth
er developments
] To Hugh McCulloch, Esq, chief of the
: currency bureau. she stated that the deceas
ed had violated his marriage engagement
with her. He had done her no harm, but
Was engaged to her for many years, even
from her childhood, and had continued cor
respondence until within a month of his
marriage He bad not seduced her; and she
added, with emphasis, las God is my wit
ness | am virtuous. :"
Miss. Harris was about leaving the de
partment, when Mr.. Sengstack, the door
keeper, desired her to remain awhile, which
she redily consented to do;and Justice Hany
came up, arrested her, and committed
her to Jail for investigation. She told the
justice that she had killed Burroughs; and
them taking pistol out of pocket, handed
It to him. 1t was small Sharpe's patent,
four barrels two of which were yet loaded,
the other two discharged
Officer George II. Walker conveyed her
in a carriage to the jail On the way she
told him she asked no sympathy for herself
All the sorrow to be felt was for her aged
parents She charged that deceased had
betrayed her taken her from home and
friends, placed her in a house of i'll fame in
chicago, and that therefore she had deter
mined upon this deed For this purpose she
had purchased the pistol in Chicago, and
HAD arrived here on the morning of yester-
day. She gave officer Walker an address
asking him TO telegraph the facts to Louis,
Devin. GAINESVILLE Wisconsin. which he did
She also added that her father resided in
Burlington, Iowa.
One Of the clerks testified that, sometime
during the last summer young woman
resembling Miss Harris called ut the house,
OF Mr.. Burroughs, and enqured for him
when size was Informed that he was spend
ING the day with his wife in Baltimore. The
person expressed great disappointment at
not seeing hiu. and iutimated that she was
poor and hid not know where she should re-
main during tn night
| Another clerk had a recollection of a simi
lar inquiry at more subsequent PERIOD
when the person calling failed to see Mr.
I 3
The jury rendered the following verdict:
l 1.-The SAID deceased left his room in the