Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-11-26
A NEW ENGLAND TRAGEDY.
LOVE, B1eAsIY AND MuRDER-THE MURDER
Err STILL AT LARGE.

LOVE, BIGAMY AND MURDER-THE MURDER
Err STILL AT LARGE.
The most desperate, cold-blooded aud
shocking case OF murder that has ever trans
pired in Worcester county occurred in Wor-
cester, Mass, on Friday afternoon, Noven-
ber is, at the house of Mr.. Edward Curtis,
situated about three miles from the City Hall,
on the old turnpike road to Clappyille and
near GAINESVILLE. The relations Of the par
ties and the particulars of the horrible affair,
gathered from eye witnesses and from visit
to the scene of the tragedy, are as follows;
The parties were James Shepard, young
man about twenty-five years of age, who
has had for years disreputable name in this
vicinity, and his wife, aged about eighteen
years. Her maiden name was Laura Wesson.
Some three years ago, when she was only
fifteen years of age, she was enticed away
from her home with her parents in Worces-
ter by shepard, and marriage ceremony
was performed, but during the same day she
was rescued from him and restored to her
friends He was arrested for polygamy, he
having wife at the time; but this last mar
riage was declared null and VOID. Some six
months afterwards she went off with him
again, and remained awhile, when they sepa'
rated. They were afterwards married again
and again separated. HIS treatment to hcl
was harsh and brutal, but in spite of it hel
| infatuation was such that she would at hii
solicitation, connect herself with him agaii
after every separation.
Two weeks ago he was arrested for having
forged the signature OF her parents to per
nit for her to be married, by which he oh
tanned a marriage license, she being unde
age; but when the case came into the polio
court, she declared that she should persist il
living with him, and abandoned her friend
10 90 with him. The case was accOrdingl.
placed on file, and she went with him to liv
in Lowell She was there but few day
when he got out OF money and refused
support her longer, turning her out of tn
house. She came back to this city to he
; parents and declared that she would nevc
. 90 with him again. Shepard followed he
here and endeavored to persuade her to liV
, with him again, but she refused and remain
Gu Will nGl luAShbof WAS ASeANSDAJ JAW
distance from the scene Of the murder.
Yesterday morning she went to Mr.. Curti
house, to assist in doing the housewor
4 She had been there but q short time wht
st Shepard came and had conversation wi
!. her, endeavoring to persuade her 10 go awi
with him, She refused and became angr
The wife of son OF Mr.. Curtis living in L
t...za hod taor cnnfnad the night pravior
and her nurse came out of the sick room al
;. reproved him for loud talking. He ma
ly abusive and threatening remarks and lie
N. N. saying he was going to the city TO cry
wife down in the papers.
He came to the city and purchased sm
'' barrelled pistol and quantity OF cartridg
and while returning met an acquaintan
;, to whom he said he was going up to Curi
" to kill his wife, that he had just been af
A pistol to do it with. He arrived at
house between two and three o'clock.
the ward he inquired of James, a son of
ny Curtis, q young man, which room La
ave was in, and was told she was in the kitcl
washing dishes. He then asked JameI
go IN with him and started toward the dc
James followed slowly, and as he ente
the door he heard Mrs. Shepard cry {
oOh, don't Jim," and saw her struggl
with her husband, who had pistol in
! TO hand. Young Curtis seized him and t
with to hold him, and in the struggle the pi
fcT was discharged, doing no harm.
Z Shepard and Mrs. Greenwood, the nu
then ran across the entry into the sick re
Shepard followed, having reloaded his pi
and was again seized by Curtis, and
MA second shot was Intellectual. lar.
Shepard then succeeded in forcing
the door of the sick room and entel
Ell. shutting it against Curtis, who then II
SSSp'' Sm call Ior his brother, who was near by