The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-28
ONE MORE TRAGEDY.
A Father Murders His Son and Attempts
to XIII Himself in Grand Street.
A Deed Of Blood at the Portals Of
st. Mary's Church.
my Own Boy-The Best Boy
I Ever Had !"
~,~>~.~, ->,,,~o~
THE CAUSE THE CRIME.
III 9so ic---
A p 10 Loss of
So pm7o 49,. y Love.
THE MURDERER And THE MURDERED,
The Scene ut the Police StatiOn-Interview
with the Father-His StOical Bear
ing-Statements of the Mother
and Other Spectators.


CHASTITY crimes have ever been recorded
than those which within the past few
weeks have dlsgraced this ana sister cities. Fol-
lowing the dreadful murder Of Panormo In Brook
Ign came the tragical end Of Watson In Williams.
burg. Brooklyn furnished another horror yesterday
but murder has taken place in our own city more
unaccountable than any that the week, emphati-
A WEEK OF sicKENINa SENS ATOMS
has gwen us. II seems as II the air was charged
with epidemic in the shape OF crime. Almost every
city furnishing Its quota to the stained list
until it becomes problem for grave consideration
whether life and property are longer secure In our
midst. The stern justice dealt out to the murderer
Bolts IN New Jersey seemingly has had no effect IN
lettering others from following in his footsteps.
Instead it has had a hardening effect, and even
women have entered the arena OF crime, shooting
down their paramours seducers with reckless
and that Is entirely without precedent.
THE MURDER OF YESTERDAY.
Grand street yesterday afternoon was, as usual
on q Saturday, crowded with pedestrians, intent
upon either business or pleasure. One OF the most
stirring portions Of the street Is near Ridge street.
and here in the midst OF the turmoil OF business,
q fearful tragedy enacted, all the more horrible
from the intimate relationship which existed be-
tween the parties concerned IN 1t.
At halfpast four O'Clock on the afternoon Of yes.
the vicinity Of St. Marys Catholic church. The un-
usual occurrence Of shot being fred In the open
street, in broad daylight, Instantly attracted crowd
Of spectators. sckenlng sight met their aston.
ished gaze. On the pavement IN front OF the sacred
edifce youth OF eighteen years of age
LAY wELTERING IN HIS BLOOD,
shot by his own father, who was standing over his
son with o loaded revolver pointing at his own
head.
Before the terrified bystanders could interfere he
had fired, the shot gancing Oh his temple and
taking effect IN his eye. He then placed the pistol
to his mouth and attempted to IRE q second time,
but before ne could succeed In his deadly purpose
Onlcer Calhoun, OF the Thirteenth precinct rushed
ana extricated the pistol from his hand. Before
The oflcer could seize him he attempted to escape,
and ran about ty yards, but he was Instantly pur.
sued and captured. On being arrested he gave his
name as
HENRY HEPNER
German, residing at 5ll East Eleventh street, and
his occupation as tailor. His victim was his own
son, ana looking white ne committed the act,
without the power to Interfere stood his wife and
daughter. The boy was lifted ana carried to the
drug store or Mr.. Bliven, few doors Oh, but life
was extinct, and no assistance could be rendered
The father was taken to the Thirteenth precinct
station house, where the dead body was shortly
Afterwards carried.
IN THE STATION HOUSE.
Shortly after the occurrence HERALD reporter
visited the station house Of the Thirteenth precinct
where the wife and daughter Of the murderer also
were. In the inner room the dead body lay on o
stretcher, with handkerchief spread over the face.
The shirt and vest were clotted with blood, and
when the covering lifted the features could not
be recognized, so thicky were they covered with
blood. pool Of the same crimson liquid was found
aroma his head where 1t had Oozed from the
wound. Apparently he had been a handsome ana
powerful youth, tall and finely formed. In the other
corner of the room
THE wRETCHED FATHER
was supported in chair by an ofncer, with o
bancage around MS head, and his eye closed with
the bullet which had not been extracted HIS
hands we're manacIed behind his back, which
seemed 10 chafe him very much he evidently having
no idea Of the enormity OF The crime ne had COM
mitted. He Is about forty.ax years OF age, with q
high bald forehead ana rather Intellectual looking
face. During the time he was confined In the station
house ne never once turned mis- eyes the direction
where the dead body lay, though ne was conscious
OF Its presence.
In the outside room his wife and daughter sat In
conversation with police officer, to all appearance
taxing the matter very cooy. Or. Waterman was
IN attendance upon Hepner and lid all In his power
to extract the ball. but without effect, and it was
finally decided to remove him to Bellevue Hospital.
THE ORIGIN OF THE TRAGEDY.
AS far as can be ascertained from the wife of the
murderer, the following are the circumstances that
her. She is the second wife OF the prisoner
@ e1 hppy sms Msd ssS
hepner emigrated from Germany and came to this
city. He followed his occupation Of tailor steadily
until about SIX monthsfago, when great change
came over him. lie became addicted to drink
about that time, and IN his
imagined that his wife and her children ny former
marraee had estranged from him the affection OF
nts OF drunkenness he would be anected with
something Ike delirium tremens, and while
attended, by Dr. ne Who rha ps Wss
81 loss to ascertain the nature OF his disease and
the s t,, OF his MIND. The boy Herman, who mas
as he has frequently spoken OF him In terms OF
endearmen 10 the alsparagement Of his other cnil.
dren Thinking that he was losing the boys affec.
lions, through the influence OF mis- wife, he ire.
queniy threatened TO take the lives Of both. They
ago had him taken before Judge Shandley, at Essex
Market by whom he was put under
BONDS TO KEEP THE PEACE.
For some time after TINS ne kept quiet, and re-
framed from his threats, though still drinking
heavily. The vile and children thought that lne
worst was over, and that the terrors OF the law
would efectually restrain him from any act Of
violence With the exception OF MS nI,, drinxing
Of his mania, and his family were congratulating
themselves upon the release from the state OF terror
TO which they had been previously daily and hourly
THEIR DREAM OF SECURITY
was OF SNORT DURATION; ABOUT iuontn aRo NC pui'
chased revolver and reiterated his former threats
The revolver taken from him Dy one OF MS sons
and q strict watch kept over him to prevent MIN
from getting another. In spite OF the precautions
OF his family he succeeded In procuring another SIX
shooter OH last Thursday fortnight, and this was
also taken from him by his son. lie was. however,
determined TO execute his dread purpose, and
on saturday last procured another pistol,
which he managed TO keep. Becoming
seriously alarmed, the wife and sons determined 10
put him under some strong restraint, as they con-
eidered that ther lives were longer sale. war.
rant was procured and Hepner was summoned TO
appear before Judge Shandley Yesterday.
MUTUAL FRIEND
OF the parties mplored the wife not TO push things
able nature. You know.n SAID be. III you be LOO