The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-09-27
SHOCKING TRAGEDY IN JERSEY CITY.
A German Kills His Wife and Then Cuts His
Throat-The CHASTITY Scenes Witnessed by
Their son-Wbat a Herald Re-
porter Saw at Midnight.

One OF the most thrilling tragedies which have
taken place in this country occurred last even
ing at halpast nine O'Clock on Jersey City Heights
formerly called Hudson City. IL IL reached in
twenty minutes by car from Hoboken. II appears
that Johnny, the young son OF Michel Gehring. a
boarding house keeper, happened to be in bed
with his mother when his father came into the
room and dragged her. with the threat of
numbering her, into the parlor, where he
commenced slashng away at her head with
large butchers knife. The first blow he struck
was across the temple, causing the blood to squirt
over her face and binding her. The next blow
was rightiul stab in the chest about four inches
long, and from the ragged character of the wound
1t appears as if the monster had worked the knife
around after he had plunged 1t into her body.
When help came she was found lying PROSTATE
across the doorway communicating with the bed
room and the sitting room, breathing her last
Sigh. The boy meanwhile was running out in the
street In his night Shirt searching for help, and
found, after some time Oncer Mcdowell, who ac-
cOmpaned him to the house. Rushing up
the steps, the murderer, Michel Gehr-
ing, was seen calmly walking out Of
the back room or kitchen with terrific cash
across his throat from which the blood was pouring
in torrents, and his whole clothing, from neck TO
feet was
A MASS OF CALCULATED GORE.
The alarm was soon given and the neighbors,
fromfar and near, came to the house ac-
companied by Drs. Freeman and Berglip,
who did all they could to stanch the
gaping wound; the dying man essayed now and
again to speak, but the gurgling or blood In his
throat made it impossible. Efforts were made by
the doctors, aided by Officers Mcdowell, Cooper
and Bucker and Sergeant Van Buskirk and by eX-
Justice Volhardt and Mr.. Peter Beck, to hold the
writhing man quiet on his back, that his throat
could be sewn up, but he struggled so violently
with
THE FRENZY OF DYING MAN,
he would spring up from the floor and endeavor to
give utterance to some thought. The struggle
lasted ior full hour-namely lrom half past nine
THE wRErCHED MURDERER AND SUICIDE,
| after giving piteous look around at those who
threw back his head with convuslve snudder, as
fweary OF the struggle, and all that was mortal Of
Michel Gehrng had ceased to exist.
SHAMELESS SCENE.
The scene In the narrow room beggars descrip
ton. The police officers and Others In assistance
marched almost heel-deep In blood. Bucket after
bucket of fresh water was brought in every few
moments, and which soon left the room OF scarlet
tint, impregnated with blood from the sponging of
the dying mans threat On a common table, lager
beer glasses partially filled, some ham and bread,
and in the middle Of all stood, brightly burning
over the fearful scene. The is about ten feet
ana neatly but plainly furnishes In n the
here Gehring had cut his throat,
AS A TRAIL OF BLOOD
| clearly showed, and IL was from this room that
! Oiiiccr Mcdowell saw him advancing when he
entered the house. The front room, where the
murder OF the unfortunate wife commenced bore
signs OF the struggle which had taken place, chairs
being upset and blood being visible in several
places. Her death was, II Is surmised, almost In
| garment, and will remain floating In Its gore,
under the charge OF the police, until this morning,
when the Coroner will commence an investigation.
SIDE BY SIDE IN DEATH.
The body of Gehring was allowed to remain, with
its staring cash In the throat on the floor
of blood, also to await the Coroner's investigation
A few hours previous to his death Gehring had a
game game at cards at grocery store opposite his
near Franklin street. 1t was remarked by several
friends that he seemed moody and respondent, and
repeated at short intervals that he was tired Of
boarding house keeping and would like to have
small farm where he could be out Of doors good
deal and rid of old "Hese," or witch, as he called
his wife.
| Twenty-Five years ago he and his wife emlgrated
! to this country from WieslOch, In Baden, and es-
tablished themselves in Greenwich street. where
he worked as aborer in a sugar refinery. Nine
chased the house he died In, which is two story
frame building, and the lot on which 1t stood A
had been engaged in making cider, and since then
he has occupied his time In repainting his house.
| DOMESTIC INFELICiTY.
His disposition seems to have been none OF the
best for he and his wife have both been frequently
locked up for intoxicaton and quarreling.
NEIGHBoRs' REPORT.
Carl Ithen, q saloon keeper In the neiQhborhOod,
says that she drank pitchers to his glasses and 1t
is probable that he Is well informed on the subject
Opinion in the neighbOrhoOd varies as to their rela-
tive demerits but positive that they have always
been known as quarrelling couple. few hours
before the fatal occurrence they were seen by Mr..
Beck engaged in bitter dispute. Their family
sists Of Louis, aged twenty eight, foreman In hat
store in this city, and two younger sons. A daugh
ter is married to a Mr.. Drks, who Is engaged with
| the younger sons at the pencil mandatory in HO
boken. The mothers age was ffty-six and the
| fathers forty.nine. The inquest will commence
| to-day Late last night the son Louis viewed the
dead bodies Of his parents welterng in their blood