The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-06
TIE BOSTON TRAGEDY.
Additional Observation-Disclosures or the
Murderer.


created the most intense excitement in the neigh
borlood The police were first appraised OF the affair
lady, running breathlessy the Fifth police sta
ton on Dedhan street and crying that mas vine was
saos sergeant harsshorn was quickly aespatc in
that the victim OF tine assault. Mrs. Katie Hobbs was
dead and her body lying upon sofa in the parl0r.
Her murderer. Major Thomas L. White stood 10 the
middle OF the apartment holding In his hand re.
voiver. with which the deed was committed. This
instrument Is one OF the Smith x Wess0n manufac-
ture, It's barrel inches IN length. having six
chambers for pOwder and ball, two OF which were
emptied. lie surrendered to the officer at once with
out any show OF resistance, and quietly accompanied
him to the station house. White. 1t nov appearz
had been stopping with the Doctor some Gays. ana
OF the shooting are substantially % gwen In our issue
Of yesterday.
him by officer Of the station house AZ to tue cause
OF the dreadful act when he replied that there was
no cause to Justify what he had done.
The deceased was lady OF many accomplishments
and was widely known. She was about thirty five
years OF age ana had been the wife OF Dr. Hobbs
about twelve years. their union during this time hav
ing been OF the most tender and aecti0nate charsc-
ter Before her marriage she had acted in the capa
c Mss q Mas xae syVes s se was wce mareG
first to Mr., Laurie, with whom she lived for some
time In Ann place. Mutual disagreement having
sprung up between them she was afterwards dt
vOrced and remarked to Dr. Hobbs. The latter has
also been twice married, having been divorced from
hts first wife, VINO Is still alive and residing Ia this
Major Thomas IT, White is Canadian about thirty
years OF age and came TO this city in 1855 aud en-
tered the law once OF b. s. TreanOr to enter the
study OF law. Subsequently he pursued his studies
at the ONCE OF Messrs Burt Il Lincoln. Before the
breaking out OF the war he was admitted to the bar
and commenced practice IN this city. Fired With
Indignation at the action or the South, ne gave up
his practice and enlisted as private In the Ninth
Massachusetts regiment beng very active in orgau-
izing the regiment. AT the battle OF Fredericksburg
he was severely wounded, and Tor merit lrious con-
duct he was promoted TO a majOrship. He was di-
rectly thereafter sent South and assisted IN organic
ing several colored regiments. There he remained
till after the war, being an Intimate friend OF Gene
raj Dent In 1868 he was sent az delegate to the
Chicago Convention from Mississippi Since the war
he has remained IN MISSISSIPPI. acting IN the
capacity OF registry Offlcer position secured for
him by General Dent A few weeks ago he returned
nom the South, coming on to New York. where he
remained few days. He came to this city two
weeks ago to-day suffering with some lung disease,
and being most intimate friend Of Dr. Hobbs and
his wife he was invited to their house, the Doctor
known and loved, iairiy idOiized. MRS. Hobbs for
years. About her he was perfect mOnomaniac
and In 1851, after attempting to take her life with
knife, he was, through the advice OF Dr. Stedman
sent to the Insane Asylum at South Boston, where
he remained about SIX months: As stated alter MS re-
to DR.. Hobbs house, many friends OF Mrs. Hobbs at
the time remarklpg that they thought 1t very mpru
Major White was arraigned before Judge Hurd, OF
the Municipal Court, yesterday forenoon, on the
charge OF the wfu murder of Mrs. Katie Hobbs by
shooting her with a loaded pistol Mr.. A. O. Brcws-
ter appeared as his counsel and IN his clients be-
hall waived all preliminary proceedings as far as
the lower tribunal Is concerned. White was then
ordered to be fully committed to the county jail to
await the of tlfe Grand jury Tor the Sepem.
Der term. Mr.. Brewster requested That, If possible,
earlier hearing might be had and that the case
might be sent to the Grand Jury now sitting. The
Ss n ha should
be made through another source. In view OF the
fact that White shas been an inmate OF an insane
asylum it thought that plea OF insanity Will be
made IN his defence. The demean0r Of the prisoner
was calm and undsturbed ana did not evince
the least agitation. In appearance he was man or
medium stature His height would seem about I'VE
feet eight inches. weight about 10 pounds, com
pexion pale hair and mustache light brown. His
cOuntenance VIII be familiar TO many who have
done business about Court square for number OF
years
man little past middle life, rather thckset, with
hair and beard somewhat gray. He was thoroughly
great loss he has sustained After mis- return from
the court yesterday forenoon, whittier he had been
OF Major White, he went to his rooms, where he
renamed secluded the remainder OF the day. HIS
residence was kept closed, and large piece OF Grape
attached TO the doorknob told that II was the house
OF mourning and kept 1t sacred from unnecessary
visitation.
-
COrOner's lnquest-TestimOny Of DR.. Hobbs,
Husband Of Deceased.
BOSTON, August s. 1869.
The jury Of inquest on the death of Mrs. Alvah
Hobbs. who was shot on Tuesday night by Major
Thomas l.. White, held session this afternoon.
DIR. Alvah Hobbs was the first witness examined.
He stated that he entered his parlOr about ten
O'Clock on Tuesday evening and entered into con-
versation with Mr.. Bullock. q medical gentleman
from Providence, his wife at that time being in her
sleeping room, on the same floor In wing Of the
house. As Mr.. Bullock was about leaving Mrs.
Hobbs was sent for; she came In and
entered into conversation and then sat down
by window; q few moments from that
time he heard the report OF pistol; Mrs. Hobbs
fro her seat, partly opened the door into the
hall, but closed 1t instantly and cried out to him.
"D0ctor, he's got pistol" at the time putting
her shoulder against the door; he ran towards the
door and had advanced few steps when second
discharge came; Mrs. Hobbs staggered back, threw
ND her hands and exclaimed, ION, father tine term
she always applied to her husband), am snot;' he
Immediately went to her, saw that she was fatally
wounded left her in the care OF Mr.. Bullock and
ran to the station house; when he came back few
moments after he found his wife Dead he could
no, see White when he first came from the room
the stairs and during the shooting was
not certain that he saw him at all; at tea Mr..
White was very quiet, and the only conversation
which ensued was IN reference to headache which
that gentleman was labOrlng under; Mrs. Hob0s
when she went to the door. remarked to her hus.
band that Mr.. White was trying to fIighten them
he was In the habit OF firing pistols, ana the first
shot was supposed to nave been ared IN MS room
until some time subsequent to the murder when the
bullet was found 10 the parIor door; one day last
week White followed Mrs. Hobbs out OF the house
for many weeks ne had slept with loaded pistol
under his pillow; Mrs. Hobbs never went to his
TO MN b .. en so oIq
to do so. Further testimony OF Dr. Hobbs
revealed the facts that White was quick tempered.
reckless fellow; that in the year 1851 caught
with butchers knife threatening to kill MRS.
Hobbs. but was prevented by Mr.. Hobbs, who threw
hlm on his back, took the knife from him and gave
Annie Coleman, girl VINO has lived IN DR.. Hobbs
family for some time said she heard Mr.. White
request MIN to cease; she did not 60, but went to
her own room; when she heard the pistol fred she