New-York tribune., 1872-01-29
A TRAGEDY IN THIS CITY.

DIsIPATED FATHER SHOOTS HIS SON AND At
TEMPTs TO KILL HIMSELF "A STRONG
TEMPERANCE ARGUMENT.
Another terrible tragedy has startled the
community, the actors being father and his son. Henry
Hepner, German tailor, his wife, Hannah, and their
children, Herman and Minnie have occupied apartments
at No. 5il East Eeventh-st. The son, intelligent,
steady young man. was employed as assistant book
keeper at A. T. stwars wholesale store at Chambersst
and Broadway. In consequence OF his fathers dssipa
tion he has contributed mainly toward the support OF
the family. The father formerly steady, ndustr-
ous, and indulgent toward his family; but
nearly year ago he contracted
passion for liquor and when under its influence he was
very quarrelsome and irritable and several Occa-
siOns severely beat his wife and daughter When he
became sober he repened OF his acts and promised to
make amends, but he invariably returned to his evil
ways and Of late has neglected his business that he
earned scarcely anything. His conduct toward his
family became violent than ever, and finally his
caused his arrest When taken before the Magis-
trate Hepner promised to REFORM and the complaint
against him being withdrawn he was discharged with
an admonition to be more careful in the future.
He remained sober about week. and then renewed
his old habits. When his son demonstrated with
him he threatened to kill the young man.
He even went far to procure pistol, ana
this was twice taken from him by young Hepner. the
father on each occasion having threatened TO shoot him.
On the second occasion the elder Hepner was arrested
on the complaint of his son. taken to Essex Market Po
lice Court and held to bail to keep the peace toward his
son. Notwithstanding all these warnings, Hepner st
continued in his dssOute course, and beat his Wre ana
daughter, and again threatened the life OF his son.
The boy learned that his father had again OBJ
tanned pistol, and fearing that he would
carry his threat execution he seemed 10 be par
TALLY crazed when under the influence OF liquor pro-
oeeded to Essex Market Poce-court on Saturday ac-
cOmpanied by his mother, his sister, and Mrs Louise
Borderman, daughter Of Mrs Hepner by her first hus-
band and applied to Justice shandley for warrant for
the arrest his father. The magistrate replied that 1t
was contrary to the OF the Court to grant warrants
on Saturday and advised him to come again on Monday
when one Would be issued.
THE FATHERS REVENGE.
They then left the courtroom. and passed through
Grand-st on their way home. When they were only
short distance from the courtroom they were joined by
Hepner who entered into animated conversation WIN
his son concerning business that had taken them to
the court. Hepner apparently urging his son 10
take further steps In the matter, while the boy was
declaring that he would press the charge and procure
warrant. The a few steps ahead OF them.
When she was near Rdge-st. Mrs. Hepner heard her
husband passionately exclaim in German, And
this is the / so dearly love-" the
words being followed instantly by the report
Of a pistol Turning around, the women were hor-
rihed find that the young man had been shot by his
father who s held the smoking pistol in his hand I'M
nedlately after making the remark heard by Mrs Hep
ne the father had seized his sons shoulder with his lett
hand and showing revolver with the other had placed
the muzzle to the back OF the young mans head ana
fired the ball. passing inward and lodging In the BRAIN
The victim tottered and would have fallen to the side
walk he had not been caught By his sister lie became
inscnsibe at once.
THE MURDERER ATTEMPTS SUICIDE.
Scarcely waiting TO note the eject OF his nrst shot'
Hepner placed the muzzle OF the pistol TO bis right
temple and fired. The ball struck against the frontal
bone, glanced of and passing downward lodged IN the
socket OF the right eye, destroying the member and
causing a dangerous wound Patroman Calhoun OF the
Thirteenth Precinct came up and wrenched the pistol
from his hand and took him TO the Delan-
ceyst Police Station. The unfortunate book
keeper had been taken, meanwhile, into DR..
Blivens drugstore, but died before surgeon arrived.
Poce-surgeon Waterman was soon in attendance ana
finding that the young man was past human ald' he
turned his attention to the murderer. on examining
him. he found that his wound was DANGEROUS one qhu
that 1t was necessary TO remove him to Bellevue nos
pital. ambulance was teegraphed for ana peDudtg
its arrival Hepner who was conscious, was aIIo"cu 70
remain in the paroman's stngrooln one Oh Ino Oa
in and announced the death OF yOg c
floor attempted TO butt his head against the wal, puO
was seized and prevented from injurng himself nc ue
eaTed that he did not wish to 1--we longer, ana con,
Quoted himself in violent manner He was TS
wound. although serious, is not necessarily fata:
The body OF young Hepner was borne from tne urlg
the stat0n-HOuse, ana COFOHtr
soon in attendance granted permission to remove the
body to Hcppers residence The affair created ne Oss @
intense excitement the east side OF the city, ana was
the topic OF conversation during the evening crowds
around the spot where the murier wac CON-
mitted, the drug store INFO WHICH Sounh n'PN'A W."
taken, and the station.house - .,torrn
The Coroner impaneled Jury yesterday ana adl9urI-
ed fine nauest until tomorrow. Deputy hursn
made a posmOrtem examination of the body ana sscef
tanned that the ball had entered the back OF the hcu
the occpta bone penetrating the brain anu
nassing ont on the left side OF the forehead
Mrs Hepner states that she and her husosnu h1 nro
Meck klanb bur y
country about years she has son and dsugher
by former husband named Fischer DCth oi wnon 9 So
arried and are living in this city; she declares that
her husband kind indulgent man until nls hinu
became crazed by liquor. - ,...
night 10 be much improved ana his recovery Is aIos
certain.