The New York herald., 1870-01-02
TRAGEDY IN A CONNECTICUT JAIL.
Suicide Of Martin McGuire while WaitiuG
Trial for the Murder Of His Wlio.


(From the Hartford Courant jan IL
In the latter part Of August Martin MCGUIRE. D
peaceaOle sort OF man 10 all appearances ordinarily,
brutaly murdered his wite In his house. on the cor.
psg Of Washington street ana Retreat avenue. Some
dlnlcnlty had occurred between Mcclure and hls
Imagined that his wile's parents were Influencing
WIGS vii possession ssetly and she had dep dspos.ssa
by the advice, he thought, OF mr.. and Mira
Garity. Desiring TO use the money Tor the
refusal TO allow the money TO DO
drawn unless he would have the deeds made
me q oa, I ws nsr as S Ss then y ana
way, tor the children. Finally the matter was COM
promised by counsel by making the deeds Jointly to
Was setted. on the Saturday night following how
ever qnarrei took place between the parties and
NAMED i TIL morning, when she returped, aud while
at breakfast McGuife entered and cut her throat rom
ear TO ear and then ned An active pursuit was
frequently secured yet he managed TO avoid an ar.
rest and At last ventured to return to his house in
rested by two officers OF the police force. He Was
bound over TO the september term OF the Superior
Court and the case was continued TO the present
term the assignment for trial having been made FOR
next week.
since the prisoner been In Jail he has behaved
at times strangely, and mauy witnesses would have
been produced his trial TO testify 10 their belief
that he was OF unsound mind. Lattcrly he has been
more composed though very anxious To see hts
children two boys, VINO had been TO soc him but
once He mas often expressed himself as determined
not 70 20 to state Prison life; ne mad be
hanged than suffer tnaI punishment; though hls
Keepers have not supposed that lie meditated self
destruction-that he would not. at any rate, make
an attempt upon his life I'LL after his trial.
HE Is FOUND DEAD.
Shortly before seven O'Clock yesterday morning
father, had taken ali the other prisoners out to wash.
went to McGulre's cell, rs usual aud called hun:
opening the door Of hls CELL the lIieess body OF tho
unfortunate man was found hanging by the wall.
where 1t was left undlsturbed TO await an examina-
ti0n by the corOners jury.
HOW THE DEED WAS DOME
In the cell was broom, portion OF Tive handle OF
which Mcclure had cut or and wound around one
end waxed thread such as Is used in the shocsn0p,
so that loop placed on IL could not slip or; tho
wall, where brick had been taken out for ventlla-
tion, and wedged 1t with pieces OF wood obtained
by breaking up water pail, the stick, when thus
fastened, being perfectly firm. Then the self-mur
derer had obtained quantity OF hemp, which has
been assorted in the workshop OF the JAIL ana wov0
waxed thread around the twists. small piece or
rope was used iOr slipping moose ut one end.
S u the scE IN @ w Tno e N
rough workmanship the contrivance was sklfully
put together, even to the fixing OF large knot on
side OF the moose, that strangulati0n might the
more easily be accomplished. Having put the moose
about his neck he adjusted the loop to the stick in
the wall, just below the ceiling stood upon bucket
and launched himself into eternity his feet, a. he
hung nearly reaching to the moor. Just beneath his
body loop made OF strips OF shirt found. and
It is supposed THAT with TINS he tied his feet together
but II slipped on. The body had every appearance
OF an easy DEATH there were no conrorilons OF the
facial muscles and the limbs were ~ straight a. n
arranged 10y some friendly hand.
LETTER DISCOVERED
Upon chest In the cell the following letter. writ
ten partly with Ink and partly with lead pencil
found Its ncoherency Will be Observed but whether
that proceeds from the ignorance OF the man. tho
natural excitement which must attend SO desperate
. deed, or unsoundness OF minc, cannot bo SAID
The copy u gwen IN the precise shape OF the orlg
nall
my God, grieved TO think that my wife u
her mothers be this here night
and the thing think Of when got in the yard
esnt think Of what done IN the house as her mother said
from r. D. Hubbard, the Sloa from s. = Jones & and
want ali 80. for the children Dear Brother want you
to be in good friends with Clarity for he wanted
be t.ken nor was not taken until got ready to be- WI!
OF wife she and Tor her truth and
loyalty that we were united and for the same my hear. shall
Boys tho last time don't know how much for Thomas
Mcclure sick don't my children to to
asylum while the money stands AID when dons
let them with some good american, for II Is not gnorsnco
aud preudcs that children wants so Brother Thomas YOU
will them hope. What furniture and sutch OF mIno
tina. is not 0nri,ys Martin MeGue want made sale Of or
Gary show Them because he cant claim ythng for
he nothing to let has Daughter 80 on her She Was
Cnly 10 months In the country when she married
MARTIN MooUIEE. America