The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-20
THE DOUBLE TRAGEDY IN DETROIT.
Murder Of Two Women-Confession Of the
Murderer.
From The Detroit Post, July io.l


We have additional particulars OF the terrible
tragedy, which give herewith. IL Is proper at
the outset that should say that were mistaken
In ascrbing q questionable character TO one OF the
victims-Mrs. Philips. We obtained our inforina-
ton from sources winch should nave Deen ana we
supposed 10 be reliable, but we have now no doubt
that 1t did her an injustice, which we most deeply
regret To n tragedy so awful and melancholy In its
nature are heartily sorry that any error of ours
should have even tended to add deeper hue. Mrs.
Phillips visited the residence OF Mrs. Clear where
the murder cOmmittedI on Wednesday, taking
with her an unmarried daughter. and they re-
NAMED there together most, II not all, OF the
afternoon. Miss Phillips returned TO her home
No. III Spencer strect--in the evening, leaving her
mother at the residence OF Mrs. Clear, she having
decided 10 remain there over nghi, as sac
feared that Uoag who seemed 20 be In il temper,
meant to sort Of mischief, and thought that
her presence might act a. check upon hun. The
moving her cothine-n which condition her body
was found after the muider-shows that she was
suspicious of some danger. II VIII be seen from TINS
statement tnat her presence III me mouse was que
10 her sollcitudc for her daughter anu that what
ever Mrs. Clears and HOags relations may have
been sue was not responsible therefor. she was 4
woman OF upright character. and communicate OF
the Mariners church. Coroner Cahill empanellcd
jury yesterday morning, and. after viewing the
bodies adjourned the inquest until this afternoon at
two O'Clock, when the testimony Will be taken fne
scene OF the tragedy was yesterday visited by thou
sands OF people, and IN officer had To be stationed
there To prevent matters from being disturbed. The
murderer is hfy-ave years Of age, and - be.
lieved to he worth several thousand dollars.
lie Is OF small stature, not communicative, but fond
Of money and misery to The last degree. The police
station was thronged all day yesterday by persons
anxious TO get a glimpse of him. and he seemed TO
fear that would be iynched. He is. however, too
closely guarded Tor an eHorL at violence 10 nave tne
slightest chance OF success.
During yesterday afternoon he was visited by
some acquaintance, and being advised TO tell the
whole truth concerning the murder, lie finally made
"A confession, which Is IN substance as follows:-He
wanted money, and having learned that MR.. Phil
lips and Mrs. Clear had quantity he asked them.
for some They refused his demand. He laid down
upon the sofa III the front room but did not 90 ~
sleep. Mrs Phillips laid down upon the bed ia the
Kitchen with her clothes on, while Mrs. Clear
dressed herself and laid down upon her bed to read
Two lamps were burning up TO the time of the muir
der. Between one and two O'Clock Uoa2 approached
Mrs. Clear and repeated his demand for money hay-
Ing first satisfied himself that Mrs. Phillips was asleep
Upon being second time refused he obtained the
times N the head, as he thinks. Tho noise together
with the Cries Tor help, awoke Mrs Phillips. The
murderouS spirit being now fairly aroused. Hoar
dealt MTs- Clear one more blow which feed her upon
the bed ana then attacked Mrs. Philips. cutting her
In the most horrible manner After he was thorough
" satisfied mat Mis- Phillips was dead he seized the
kerosene lamp that stood the table IN her room
and dashed II upon tho bed. lie then returned to
MRS. CLEARS room, and also threw her room lamp
upon her ped. lie says that both women were dead
before he set the beds on fire; but In this he was
mistaken, as the body OF the last-named .ctim was
found upon the floor before life had become extinct.
After doing all this he put what clothing he had
two trunks out or the house, and went TO the out.
nouse, where he remained III the arrival OF Mr. Moses
stone lie says ne committed the murder purely be-
cause lie wanted to obtein whatever money the
woman mad; shat he was perfectly sober at the time.
aho IN Iuii possession o. his senses. He now realizes
booded murder" and ciams 10 iee sorrow for his
fearful act.