The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-01-18
The burke-Wlllard Tragcdv-Parucu.
lars Of the Affair


In a short item last week We announced
shocking murder and suicide in New
ork on the night of the 5th inst. A New
lork paper gives the following particulars
OF the case
tine OF the most shocking tragedies ever
occurring III this CITY took place on Satur-
Jay evening, when young widow was shot
ocad ny Hcr lover, who immediately com
lui,ted suicide Tie facts IN this melan-
choiy and peculiar case are slmply these
Aits Francis Gray Willard, a young widow
OF decided literary ability, and for some
months the 1prewouieu OF the female com,
l'oslig women IN the World office, and also
writer iur the Sunday Times and Messea-
ter, has fof some tine been receiving the
addresses of Thomas VI. Burke, Rounds
iiaii doins duty In the Seventh Precinct
aud hey We're at one time engaged TO be
n=rrled. Since the Inauguration of the
Masonic Far, Mrs. Willard had been in
charge of the table belonging TO Ocean
lodge No. l5G, and she, in that capacity.
created d feeling OF jealousy in the bosom of
her lover, VIC eeus 70 have been man Of
violent pas ION, and frequent quarrels were
the natural result. Mrs Wizard had com
pialneo to ner brother and friends of the
u,
had changed her mini in regard to the
marriage. No trouble was anticipated on
this account. however, hence no precau-
lions were taken.
On Saturday afternoon, Mrs Willard
left the World Office at 4 80 O'Clock, and
proceeded 10 her residence at No. lao
Ninth avenue, TO prepare for her appear
ance at the Fair. Soon after her arrival
Koundsulan Burke came To the door aud
asked for Mrs. Willard. was admitted and
went up stairs to her paror. A few min
ntes after three reports of pistol were
heard BY the landlady, and on her running
up stairs she discovered Burke on the floor
~oun Ell IN the head, and Mrs. Willard
lying IN the hack room quite dead. The
Sixteenth Precinct Puiice were summoned.
and the insen- 9 body Of the murderer
and suicide was removed to the Jews Hos
plta, where he died at an early hour YES
teriay morning. Il is supposed that Burk
uphraided hls mistress with Inconsistency.
anu ~ worked upon Isis Passion that he
drew revolver and fred two shots at the
unfortunate woman, one taking effect in
the left shoulder and the other entering
the left breast, the ball passing through
the heart and causing almost instant death.
After committing the dreadful deed Burke
placed the mnzzie of the weapon to his right
temple and tr,d, tie bullet crashing into
the brain, aud causing insensibility and
subsequent death.
Frances Gray Willard was born in the
town Of MiiuletbYn; Conn, and at e
tine OF he death had reached the age Ct
thirty two years although in appealdi.,y
rocked seven or eight Years younger. Mrs
" lllard had been married and bore a very
good character among those best acquainted
with her. For the last two years she had
occupied the position Of forewnman of the
female composition room attached to the
Hortd othcc las employed under ten ladies
ns com po.itors-Mrs. Willard was lady
OF fine personal appearance, having regular
features, dark eyes and jet black hair
Taken altogether she was a refined and
cultivated lady, aud by her courteous man
rer5 and singular intellectual abilities gain
el "a great many warm personal friends.
Mrs Willard had been fashion ediress on
the Sunday TIMES, for long time, and
also was "A constant contributor to that and
hthcr Journals of poems and sketches mark
Cd with high order If ability Her
poems were however, evidently the emana-
ilons of a depressed and overburdened
mind. In her manners Mrs. Willard was
cool, self possessed, without any precise
formallty or regularity of manner. The
deceased had the supervision Of the table of
Ocean Lodge at the Mason Fair, ard no
later than Friday night was the recipient of
a splendid testimonial in the shape of da-
mond ring, from her friends, as a token Of
their esteem for her arIuous services in the
cause Of charity and benevolence This
Eng Mrs. " iIlaId wore at the time Of her
death.