The New York herald., 1871-03-28
MURDER AND SUICIDE IN PHILADELPHIA.
Husband Kills His wife and Shoots Him-
seii--stery Of Lovc and Inconsistency.
lFrom the phlladelpnia Age. March 27.l

etI-St0ry Oh Love ana AncoustouCys
(from the Philadelphia Age, March 2f.l
FOR some time past our city has enjoyed perfect
immunity from murders, and although rrom the
numerous bloody deeds done within tne past few
years have been led to believe that nothing could
shock Us, yet on Saturday % decd was perpetraied
which the marriage vows arestreated, ana which in
volved the death by violence OF young husband
ana wife, the latter being shot IN three places and
instantly Killed by the husband. who then, with the
same revolver, mortally wounded himself by shot
III the left breast. The AFFAIR Is one OF the most ter
the city for many years, and created intense excite
ment IN the section OF the CITY where II occurred aud
shocked the commumtg generally.
THE VICTIMS
Al No. 44s North Fifth street boarded since last
fall one John IA. Murray and his wife Mary. Up 10
within a few months ago they lived pleasantly to-
gether.. Murray was aoont twenty eight years of
age native OF New York, and man Of ilne mus
culnr development. Mrs Murray whose maiden
name was Fredericks, and who was native OF Ma.
rietta OHIO, al the time or her marriagel was wo.
man Of p,epossessing appearance, about twenty-one
THE DIFFICULTY
For a long time past Murray had suspected his
wife inldelity, and s alleged. about fortnight
ago lie learned that she was visiting house Of III
lame where she TOOK rooms lie frequently en-
treated her through mutual friends TO return her
home, but she utterly refused TO do so. ON Friday
night he came homo apparently much depressed in
rooms for some time and then requested Mrs.
Miller, the lady with whom he boarded and her
cation to make to them which was OF importance
They followed HIM up stars, and when they had
reached his apartment he remarked that ne had re-
ceived bad news. A friend had told him that Mary
had returned 10 the city ana had been In q
house ot III fame. She mad been spoken to and had
declared that she wonld not live with hia, again.
/" II she does not come back and act as a wile
ahouid," said he 81 intend 10 shoot her and shoot
they had little DOUBT that he meant what he said
He exhibited revolving pistol yesterday morning
TO the niece and remarked that he meant 10 carry
out his declaration In respect tn his wife.
THE TRAGEDY.
shortly after three O'Clock ON Saturday afternoon
In md nYin int hs.tal 1nfra
stopping few minutes III the dining room went up
stairs. scarcely had they reached their room when
the voice OF Murray was heard on the stairway
calling to Mrs. Miller, . For Gods sake come up
Mrs NJ, ON going up stairs and opening the door OF
the third story front room was horrlied at tile
sight that met ner gaze
Upon the bed lay the dead body OF Mrs. Murray,
with open eyes and mouth her lace and bosom coy,
cred with blood. Beside her was the murderer and
woud-be suicide. Between trunk, when stood
near the window, and the WALL were large clots Of
blood. Upon the moor, near a wasnstand, was an
open razor, and at the loot OF the bed lad The
volver, which had Deen used in the conmiss ION OF
the bloody deed.
The room was but scantily furnished a scene or
almost ahject poverty. A physician WAS called IA
soon alter the affair became known, but late To
render any service to the wife. Her husband, how
ever, was still alive. An examination disclosed the
fact that the deceased had been shot III Two vital
places. Murray after committing the deed had
placed the weapon TO his lett breast evidently
ing at the hear and fred the bali passing through
the left lung. While lying upon the bed the hus-
Uanu frequently CdreSSeu HIS ucdu vile, anu gave
utterance to the following wOrds:-"Tis q shame
that this thing should have happened, poor girl"
One OF the reporters present asked Murray why he
committed the crime. He replied, pointing to his
heart, lit Is buried here.n
Relieving that the unfortunate man was at the
point OF death Father Crane, OF St. Augusfine's
church. was called and administered the last sacra
ment.
LOVE STRONG IN DEATH.
In view OF the crime which Murray had been
guilty OF and the nature OF his WOUNDS, Lieutenant
Bruerln, OF the Seventh police district had him
moved 10 the st. Joseph's Hospital and detailed
oilcer to accompany him. When tod that he was
the corpse OF his wife and kissed her lips then cold
IN death, o'er and o'er again. He frequently ex-
pressed wish that he, TOO, might die.
THE LETTER.
In the room in which the foul deed was perpe-
trated was found paper written by the murderer,
Of which the following Is copy
PHILADELPHIA, March 25, 1871.
To MY fRIESDs-Wben the bodies OF myself and wife
found would most respectfully ask them thea will
dollar In the world. would ask that my mother
ber poor heart 10 think that her child had such deed
And would that we's father be for
ha my @f. and mysef be Buried s .a
S9 Ss ses orrs % 70 ' my H.,
following gentlemen to take charge Of the bodies and hope
John Il. Collins, John G. Noonan. James Rowe.
McDonough William Miller Richard LLOYD, A. Tombesan,
Sehos ana az M my Other friends M VIII help the above
my renas and enemies, TOO; hope you VIII pray my
''''' ''''''' ''N' JOIN NJ MURRAY.
DEATH OF MURRAY
The murderer and suicide fingered i'm great agony
morning, when death put an end to his suIierlngs
On Saturday evening a post mortem examination
OF The body OF the wife was made disclosing the fact
that three shots had entered her body, one passing
through The lungs, another through Inc liver and
the third one could not be found. The Coroner will
investigate the matter to-day.