Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-10-16
HORRIBLE TRAGEDY.
a Boston Banker Murders one
OfEEis Sons and attempts
gJ g : the Life Of the
Other.


BosroN, October 8, 1S6S.-One Of the
most painful and appalling trsgeeleS
which has startled the community for q
long time took place in the village OF
I,onvwood, in the town of BroOkline,
about four miles from Boston, at an early
hour this morning. The act was pro-
duced by insgsity on the part of the per-
patratnr, and the victims are his two SONS,
for whom he entertained the greatest af-
feetion in his sane moments.
The circumstances, as they appear up
on investigation, are that Mr. George u,
Richardson, during the intense heat OF
last summer, was exposed to the sun in
such 4 manner as to become 3 victim to
sunstrOke, ever since which time be has
suffered mental depression, and for the
last week or ten days he has been
100 iIl to engage in business, but was not
during this time confined to his house.
His friends were anxious about him or
account of these pFemonitory symptoms
of mental arrangement, but there was
not the slightest fear entertained OF its
assuming any violent or dangerous form.
Last evening he retired early, aed at
about one O'Clock this morning his wife
aWoke and found him very nervous. In
few moments he got up from his oeoi
took razor from bis dressing case, and,
going into an adjoining room where his
two some, HenrysHud George, were sleep
ing, ne instantly cut the throat OF Henry
from ear to ear, producing almost IN
slant death, and then attempted In ths
same manner to kin his second son. The
wounds inflicted upon the neck and
throat OF the lstter are very deep and
ugly, and it is possible he may not sur
TiTe. Mrs. Richardson, hearing the cry
OF the youngest, ran to the room and
pulled her husband back. A moment Of
reason came, and he exclaimed, " Great
God, what have / done ~ and immedi-
ately left the house, clad only in his
night shirt, and shortly after jumped in
milI.dam near by. He extricated him
self from the water Immediately and
proceeded ia his almost nude state
in the direction of Boston. He stopped
at the house of an IrishmaD, and rap
ping upon the door demand admission,
stating that he was cold and Wishet to
warm himself. While the man was pre-
pairing to descend, Mr.. Richardson went
OF, and calling st the house OF Mr..
Henry A. Greer, near the Cottage Farm
station, on the Worcester Railroad,
knocked at the rear door. The domes-'
tics, hearing him, Inquired what he
wanted, when he implored admission,
stating that he was cold, and urged them
to come down and make fire. Before
they had time TO consider he threw up
bis arms and rushed awsy. He was
found this forenoon In his own barn,
under the hay, and taken to the insane
asylum in SOmerville. When he was
found he was labOring under great men
tai depression, and, though unaware OF
ha RCD .uornafratad i'm.
pressed with the sense OF having CON-
mifted some great crime. -.
Mr.. Richardson has a wife and four
children. The lad who is dead wss
youth of about fourteen years OF age and
beloved by sll. His sudden death has
thrown the deepest grief upon his circle
OF acquaintance, by whom he wss es-
taemed for his many noble traits Of
character. Mr.. RcaardsOn's love and
care for his children were something
more than fatherly. BE was their friend
and co8fidaut, participating in az their
plans and enjoying with them the pleas
ures Of 2 very happy home. He was
himself a man of decided religious char
acter, being at the time Of the sbove sad
q deacon in the Orthodox
church at Brookline. Continued i'll
health, acting upon a nature naturally
sensitive, created mental arrangement,
which is the oGiy explanation to be
given of this truly cad affair. In the
immediate neighbOThOOd of this sad
event, among those who knew him best,
there has been tender and genial ex-
preston Of sympathy foT the wife and
family thus suddenly and fearfully BE-
reaved.
In business circles BIr. Richardson is
we'll known, having been for about forty
prominently engaged as a shipping
banker, etc., In the city OF
Boston. For the past few years he has
been identified with the well known
firm Of Psge, Richardson & Co., on State !
street, in this city. -