Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1869-03-22
gatest State autrlligeafe.
MURDER AND SUICIDE IN NEWARK.


A melancholy tragedy took place in
West street Newark, yesterday after
noon, in which young lady was slot
and fatally injured by her lover, who
Immediately paid the penalty of crime
by taking his own life. The name Of
the two persons were Frederick Knit
tail and Augusta Becker, each nineteen
years of age, and having been for more
than year preceding, engaged to be
married Miss Becker resided with her
parents, in whose house the tragedy oc-
Cured, and she had at brief intervals
during the past year, received visits
from Knittall, the greatest possible
friendship having been maintained be-
tween them. So far as known, by her
relatives, until within two or three
weeks, when, it is said, II degree Of
GOODNESS was observed in their inter
course with each other, which prodnc-
ed a feeling of jealousy on the part of
Knittall which he revealed in CONVEX
sations with his acquaintance and ex-
hibited in noticeable degree when he
met Miss. Becker. At about 2 O'Clock,
yesterday afternoon, he called at her
horse, and sat with her in he front
parlor, while Mrs. Becker and another
daughter occupied a back room. Soon
after 5 o'clock the report of pistol
was heard, and Mrs. Becker, fastening
to the parlor, from which the sound
proceeded saw Knittall flying through
the hall toward the rear door, hatless
and deadly pale, carrying a revolver in
his hand. Upon the floor of the parlor
Miss Becker lay motionless, her face
covered with blood. A ball bad pass
ed through her head entering upon the
left side above abe ear aud coming ont
on the other side near the eye. Anoth
er report, following soon after the
flight of Knittall, was heard coming
from the rear OF the house, and he was
seen lying utterly motionless and dead
near the door with the weapon lying
near him. The reports having been
heard by many Of the immediate neigh
bors, an excited crowd focked around
the house and filed the yard viewing
the body of the suicide and speculat-
ing upon the causes whsch had led to
his unhappy state of mind. Informal
ton was sent to the Police Station, and
Detective Smith accompanied by Off
Ger Mack was directed to visit the
place and take charge of the premises.
Miss Becker was found to be still
breathing family, aud she was placed
under the care of DIR. Sehlbach, the
county physician. 8 o'clock last night
she was still living, but not expected to
survive many hours. The family OF
Miss Becker are persons of considerable
wealth and responsibility, and the mel
ancholy affair occasions "A great deal OF
excitement and sympathy. The young
man Knittal also possessed good rep
utation among his acquaintances, hav-
ing been known as IL person of sober
and temperate habits.
The Court of Pardons, which was in
session last week, pardoued persons
whose release is considered by the
public to have been ill-judged mercy.
One of these was Frank Mccormack of
Newark, and the other, Thomas Martin |
of Jersey City. Both were convicted
of assault with intent to kill and both
received severe charges from the Judg- |
es before whom they were convicted.
Isaac McCluskey. who had been i'm
prisoned five years out of term of
seven and Jonathan Pickle, who had
served six years out of twelve. on
charg IS f ma slaughter, were pardt ned.
Twenty-four others convicted of minor
offenses were also liberated The rea-
son why SO many pardons were granted
is said to be the want of accommoda-
tions at the prison.