The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-30
THE MURDER MANIA.
AWfalthy Merchant Attempts to Kill His Wife,
and Failing, Tries to Commit Suicide.
Heartrending Scene at the House
Last Night.

III mas been often remarked that great crimes run
in certain definite grooves for certain periods in
New York. No sooner do we hear OF one great
crime of distinct, SPECIFIC nature than we hear OF
three more Of the same nature following it amos:
Immediately. month ago 1t was the knife, this
month 1t is the razor. and next it Will be the pistol
and SO TO the end OF the chapter that, in fact,
New York very much resembles Paris In its
peculiar statistics Of crime. This theory would
seem to be thoroughly verified by recent events
Borgas are cropping up all over the country, in
imitation OF Mrs. Laura FAIR. A few days ago a Well
known and respected gentleman put an end to his
own life while sitting at his dinner table, Yester-
day Benjamin W. Cooper, well known in New York
as welLto-do provision merchant attempted to kill
his wife with
CARVING KNIFE,
and in desperation, as 1t would appear, IN having
failed, cut his own throat from TO ear The un-
fortunate resided with his family at 81
Charlton street. He lately retired from bust
ness, having amassed considerable for.
tune. and lived, as 1t is said, most peace
ably with his wife and unmarried children,
rarely being seen out OF DOORS and apparently
wrapped up In those about him. A reporter from
the HERALD visited the house ut late hour last
night to learn the particulars OF the dreadful
renee. No ~ Is one OF quiet respectable looking
block OF houses The left hand side OF the street.
The blinds were closely drawn and even at the late
hour at which the reporter visited the house there
was no light to be seen from the outside, and moth
ing In its appearance which would lead the passer-
by to believe that
A DOUBLE TRAGEDY
nad well nigh taken place within the walls. At first
the reporter was IN doubt as TO whether II Was the
house of The wouldbe murderer ana suicide, but In
ringing the bell his doubts were set at rest. well
dressed young gentleman answered the summons
almost Instantly. 10 answer to the inquiry II this
were Mr. Cooper's house the gentleman replied that
1t was, and appeared to wish to put end to the
object OF his visit he was ushered into the draw ing
room on the nrst moor. This room opens by fold
nihcently furnished In the inner room were gath
cred together the grief-strlcken family. more
SoRROwPUL GROUP
it would be hard to conceive In the midst in
velvet covered arm chair, was seated an old lady,
apparently about flty years old. Her hair was
gray, though there remained that in her counte-
nance to show that sue must have once been
handsome woman. Around her were gathered
humber OF young ladies'. most OF them her own
daughters Each Wed with the other in admins
teung to the old lady's wants. Her hand
bound 10 III shng wet towels were wound round
her head from time to time, and at the time OF the
reporters visit she seemed almost in q swoon.
Hearing stranger enter the outer room she started
from her char and nervously asked who had come
now On being told IT was reporter from the
e eren she WAS
somewhat quoted on being told that there was an
opportunity 10 contradict any
FALSE STATEMENTS
which had been published about the occurrence.
Two gentlemen, sonsn-law OF Mr. Cooper, ex-
the affair having been made public at all, and that
great deal OF exaggerarlon had been ind ulged in.
was IN delirum tremens That his intellect suddenly
gave way yesterday morning, and that there were
several other inaccurate statements published which
they wished 10 correct. OF which that there
was hereditary madness In the family. There
is not the slightest ground for such
statement, they say, and 1t could
only have originated In the fertile brain OF a re-
porter. The statement OF the family IL as follows:--
About half-past seven O'Clock his regular hour for
rising. Mr. Cooper got out OF bed yesterday morning
He went down stairs TO the breakfast room. on the
basement floor, about eight O'Clock. HIS wife was
then engaged IN cooking his breakfast with the
servant He seated himself at the table,
ana forthwith commenced TO sharpen
carving knife. Suddenly he Iusned
from the table ana into the Kitchen He rushed
with the fury OF maniac at his unfortunate wife,
knlie in hand. She raised her arm to ward of the
almost to the bone The servant seized her master
by the hand ana endeavOred
TO wRBsT THE KNIFE
from him. In vain he tried 10 wrcstle with the des
perate woman, and seeing that he was foed rushed
IRON tue kitchen up stairs To his own room. The
servant ran Tor DIR. Fleet Tor her mistress and when
after his arrival They both went TO Mr.. Cooper's
room they found him lying on the door with
his throat cut from ear to ear. The
horrible cash was sewn up Immediately, but 1t is the
opinion OF fs physicians that he cannot live. Mrs.
Cooper Is suffering from great nervous prostrauon
well as from the effects or the wound on her
hand. Mr.. Cooper has family OF five grown up
daughters, all OF whom feel most acutely IL was
family wished 10 suppress the details. The reporter
asked before leaving II Mr. Cooper had ever been
subject 10 ITS OF insanity. and the that
q ad