The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-08-10
Il STRANGE TRAGEDY.
The wife Of a Prominent Boston Phy-
stefan Shot Dead In her Parlor In the
Presence Of htr Family.

A strange and terrible murder took place in
Boston on Tuesday evening last, the particu-
lars Of which are given in the Journal as fol-
lows:
About half-past ten o'clock last evening, DR..
Alvah q. Hobbs, who ls an old and highly CO.
teemed physician OF this city, residing at No.
1865 Washington street, rushed breatblessly
into the fifth station, and stated to Captain
Small that his WIFI had been shot. Sergeant
Hawthorn was Immediately dispatched to the
scene OF the tragedy, and arrested Major
Thomas L. White, said to be resident Of
the State Of Tennessee, but for some time
past residing in the family Of DR.. Hobbs
Tor medical treatment. This White was
the author Of the trlgical ovent. and Was
brought to the station-house without anv re-
sIst nee. The statements OF inmates Of DR..
Hobbs family are to the effect that the mem.
bers, including the murderer, had taken tea
together IN the most friendly and agreeable
manner, and at the conclusion of the repast
Major White retired TO his room in the upper
part OF the house. where he commenced to
read aloud. Mrs. Hobbs proceeded up stairs
and inquired why he read in 30 high tone, to
which White replied: "In order to develop my
lungs" or words to that effect Mrs. Hobbs
soon afterward ca ne down stairs again, and
was about to enter the parlor, when, turning
her head In the direction of the room above.
his hand. She seemed to be apprehensve Of
Whites murderous intention, for she imme-
diateIy called out to her husband, "He Is
coming, and with q pistol" aud almost
simultaneously With this ejaculation the
first shot from ihe assasln's pistol le-
sounded through the house. This shot
proved Intellectual E, "a as striking
media ely closed the d: -;stwssn herself and
White. But, strangely, sae second shot,
which almost Immediately followed the first
after passing through panel OF the door,
entered The left breast Of the unfortunate NO
MN. passed through her body and came out
under the right arm, and she fell to the floor,
and in q few moments breathed her last. The
dreadful aot was witnessed by the husband
and young son fthe viotim-a boy about nine
years OF age. who has since been almost fran
tic with grief and horror.
When the officer entered the room wherein
the terrible crime took place, the murderer
stood IN the middle Of the apartment contem-
plating his fendlsh work, and still holding in
his hand the fatal instrument OF death. I'm
mediarely, however, upon ths entrance Of
Sergeant H1wthorn, he extended his arms in
theatrical manueri 3 lying. "I'm your man "
and was Immediately secured and conducted
To the station house, whittier ho proceeded
quietly.
White is o good looking man, apparently
somewhere in the vicinity Of thirty years OF
age; and. in conversation With the OFF,
Ger on the way to the station, although OK.
pressing no regret at the horrible deed he had
committed, remarked that there ought not to
have baen CAUSE enough for him to have done
what he did. Tue murd red woman, Mrs.
Katie Hobbs, was the second wife OF the doc.
tor, and was about thlrty-five years Of age.
It is stated that the murderer had been q
friend and acquaintance Of Mrs. Hobbs from
early childhood, and no reason was given last
night showing what impelled the murderer to
commit the awful deed. White, last night,
was unaware OF the extent OF his crime, and
seemed to be under the impression that his
victim was still alive. 1t is deemed ad 1sable
by those in authority to leave him in that con-
dltion for the present.
An examination of the room OF the murder
or after his arrest revealed scene OF the Wild
est disorder. Booiis and papers were scatter
ed about in every direction. and lnnumerable
letters we're foun IN partially consumed con-
dition. The murderer, White, camo from
Nova Scotia. When the war commenced he
enlisted in the Ninth Massachusetts Regl-
ment as private. He was severely wounded
ut Fredericksburg. and subsequently, promo
ted to the rank OF major. or late he has re-
sided in Mississippi, and Was delegate from
that State to the Chicago Convention OF 1858,
and since has acted ss registry officer, posi-
sition secured for him by bis frlond General
Dent. He camo to Boston about two weeks
ago from Mississippi. suffering from pumo-
nary complaint. and having been an intimate
friend of DR.. Hobbs and wife. was taken into
their family for msdical treatment. II is as
serted that White was in love with Mrs. Hobbs,
and, IN fact, o monomaniac in his devotion to