The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-19
MURDER AND SUICIDE.
A Well-Known Physician Cuts His Chill
drens Threats and then Cuts His Own
Particulars Of the Occurrence
A Shocking Sight Rum
Supposed to Be
the Cause.


noon the scene OF one OF the most revolving, heart
rending cases or child murder and subsequent SUI.
eide ever known In this city, for by IT whole fam
lily, save the wife and mother, OF very respectable
people are swept into eternity.
DR.. J. J. Connolly, well 10 do and very respect
able physician, together with MS wife and two
beautiful little children-one, Mary Agnes two
years and seven months old and the other, Clara
Regina, u babe seven months old-have for some
time past been living at 143 West Eleventh street.
or late the Doctor has, unfortunately, been
greatly addicted to strong drink, and was in the
habit Of returning to his home very much
UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF LIQUOR;
but, so far as can be asccrrained, was always kind
ana affable to his family, Notwithstanding his con-
dtion. Yesterday he was not observed by any Of
the nelghbors to go out, as was MS custom; fact
which they took no heed OF at the time, If they
CHANGED TO think OF 1t at ALL attributed 1t to the
dreadfu'ly stormy condition OF the weather.
1t now seems that some time during the afternoon
he took the two children and went up stairs the
second story and there, In the back chamber,
locked himself and the little in. About four
O'Clock the people living next door heard
MIRA. Connolly crying and calling out to
her husband to give her the children.
SO frantic and persistent her appeals
and 50 bitter were her sobs, that those who heard
her were persuaded something serious was trans
pring there among the little family, but yet never
once dreaming or the terrible character OF VIVA.
that something eventually proved to be.
one of the neighbors, who could no longer
withstand the plying appeals or the poor
mother for her babes, hurried through the
pelting storm to the Ninth precinct station house.
where he informed The sergeant on duty OF the con-
ditlon OF affairs ana urged him to send an otcer to
the house. Accordingly two patrolmen were de-
spatched to the DOCTORS residence out upon their
REFUSED ADMIrrANcE
by Mrs. Connolly herself who came to the door in
answer to tnelr call. Sne IN a very excited and
determined manner, ordered the officers to leave
her door, at the same time assuring them that there
from all indications that something unusual
had taken place, despite the lady's assurances
TO the contrary, and therefore urged her by all the
means in their power to admit them 10 tell them
where the doctor was. To neither OF these requests
ouid she consent, but stoutiy refused TO tell them
anything at all. They hurriedly returned to
the station house and reported to Captain
| conviction that something OF Il serious character
| had TRANSFERRED at the house. The captain at once
set out for the place. accompanied by the two oni-
GERS, and on their arrival were, as mt first, summary
refused admittance. Mrs. Connolly appeared in great
grier but still refused admit that any thing was
wrong. In answer TO the captains heterogeneous
she said her husband and children were upstairs;
buC so far from allowing either captain Wasnburn
or the officers TO go up TO them she again peremp-
torlly ordered them to quit the house. NoLwtl
standing this Captain Washburn assembled the stars
ana tried the door leading into the back chamber but
1t was locked. lie called to the doctor repeatedly,
but no answer came. Not knowing exactly what to
street and saw several OF the neighbors who live
next door each side OF the Doctors residence ana
alter consulting with them and hearing their state
Inents determined to go back ana break into the
room. This he aid, and the sight which there met
his gaze beggars all description.
Policemen long in the service, Ike the veterans
a'nundred battle fields, becomed Injured to revolt
ing scenes OF blood and cruelty, and soon learn to
lock upon them Tor moment perhaps with a pity
ing eye and then forever forget them; but Captain
Washburn and the two officers who accompanied HIM
Will never, never forget the sight OF that room
they entered 1t about seven clock last evening.
Stretched upon the bed which stood with the mead
against the wall the right the door, were the
LIFELESs BODIES OF THE DOCTOR AND HIS TWO
INNOCENT BABES.
The father lay on his back at the side OF the bed
arthest from the door, having shirt, pair OF red
flannel drawers, PAIR OF socks and pair OF slippers.
The right leg drawn up towards the body. the
right hand was thrown across his chest and his leit
hand Law by his side. Close beside him the lett
lay his two darlington he loved them notwlth-
the eldest with her head on the pillow
while between her little feet lay the head OF the
on but little night slips, which hung loosely
about their bodies. Between them and their
aer e na Tubper BAH Which Oh they SoG Saa @as
IDENTITY been playing with before the horrid deed
was done. On the side OF the bed nearest the door
lay a huge bread knife about fourteen inches long,
two inches wide Ut the widest part, and sharp al
most as a razor. TINS was the instrument which
had so eiIectualy done the WORK. IL was with this
that the father had
CUT THE CuILpREN's THRoArs
and then almost discovered his own head from his
body. The bed one mass OF gore, winch trlcAled
down on to the floor where It settled In little pools.
over on the opposite side OF the room stood little
CRIB containing every requisite Tor the comfort or
the children, ana which tney-or the eldest one, at
least-had occupied the night previous. The furn-
turc In the room was OF the cottage description,
painted green.
When the officers entered the room the bodies
stark anu coid which leads TO the BELIEF that
the terrible crime must have been committed as
early as one O'Clock at least. The distracted wife
aud mother followed close behind the onlcers and
when she saw the forms OF all those she held most
dear In life drenched their own blood
her grief knew no bounds. She swooned away aad
was removed by the kind-Eeartel policeman TO an
APARTMENT on the lower floor, where she lay for o
long time in perfectly unconscious state.
Captain Washburn took charge OF the house and
the remains and VIII remain with them till alter the
Coroner's inquest, which VIII DC held to-day.