Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1872-02-16
A CONNEcTICUT TRAGEDY.
Love, Revenge, Murder ana suicIde-An
EstimabIe Young Lady in BOzrRh HOr-
ribIy murdered-SulcIdo Of the Murder



One of the most shocking tragedies which |
ever occurred In this vicinity took place Yes- |
teTday forenoon at the residence oil Dr. |
samuel johnson, well known and highly |
esteemed physician OF bOztah.' A mai
named William Irving, who has been in the
employ of DR.. johnson considerable part
of the time during the past ten or twelve
years, some time ago conceived violent al
tachment to Miss Jane johnson, the doctors
only daughter, highly educated and refined
young lady. lie has al times been quite de
monstratVe IN bis passion, but neither the
lady nor the family encouraged him. On
the contrary, Miss JOhnson's Telusals TO lis
ten to him have in times past excited lrv--
ing's anger 10 violent degree. Yesterday
morning, il appears, pedlar, who had stop
ped at the house presented Miss Johnson WIZ
a small brush broom as lie was leaving
| This ELECTED the remark from Irving "yOu
treat even pedlar better than you treat me,
| and he appeared moody and sulkY alter
wards.
About half-past 10 O'Clock, DR.. johnson
having left tue house a short time before,
Mrs. johnson saw Irving in tue doctors office
handling what she thea thought was box
Of bills. II appears, however, that he was
loading double barreled shot gun which
stood in the office putting in shot and bull
let. A lew minutes afterwards he came into
the sitting room, and advanced with the gun
nss
in his hand to within six or eight eet OF Miss
johnson, who was reclining on lounge,
deliberately levelled the gun at her, without
speaking word, and discharged one barrel.
Mrs johnson who was sitting in the room,
sprang up screaming "murdeI," when lrV-
ing turned upon her and struck her twice on
the top and side of the head with the gun
, stock, with such force as to break it of.
Two deep gnshes were cut by the stock on
Mrs Johnson's head, and she fell senseless
] and continued SO for some time. She re
members however, that after the shot was
fred Miss johnson rose up from the lounge
Q A domestic hearing the noise, then came In
10 the room, when Irving turned upon her.
I She, however, eyaded his blows, and es-
Gaping gave the alarm. some ol the people
near tie house came in and found Miss
e johnson lying on the floor. They helped
i her into an adjoining room, where she lay
i down upon bed, but did not speak alter
= wads, only continuing TO moan constantly
n A messenger was at once dispatched to
= this city TO give the alarm and summon
10 surgeon. The murderer was known In This
l. city where he had worked Tor some time
and where he had several hundred dollar
e deposited in one Of the saving banks. l
el was supposed that he might make his wa
nt here, attempt 10 draw his money and escap
De DR.. Carleton returned with the messenger L
y the scene of the tragedy, and upon maxim
10 an examination OF Miss Johnson's injurie
NJ discovered that although her lace was nlle
ls with powder and slightly wounded with sho
su there was no fatal injury inflicted DY th
discharge Of the gun But lerfioi
g, fracture was found extending from tue lei
ali temple 10 the back oil her head-a portion
OF the skull five inches long and an inch and
eI half wide being crushed in 10 depth OF
ue quarter Of an inch. Another fracture exteh'
'si ed from the middle Of this across the Top an
M still another TO the base OF the skull. An
~. yet the skin was only slightly broken IN on
aopi spot. . Al.
all 1t is supposed that alter stunning MI
u. johnson the murderer turned upon u
res daughter, and beat her TO the floor with u
,oi barrels OF the gun, one OF which was uhui
W charged. The shot and bullet win WINE
ia the discharged barrel was loaded We
v" found in and about the lounge. All surge
l? aid was unayailng, and after lingering l
.Is "a, nine O'Clock in the evening, the moahii
10 victim died Meanwhile, some conslueial
"a time after the messenger had lett ior tue elt
eu II was discovered that the murderer hau ,
~, lsll the house. II seems teat hc went
" " stairs to his room, taking the gun with ll
There he procured razor, went 10 n 81
~, Johnson's apartment and locked himseH
;ah When the door was broken open ne W
III discovered lying upon the bed, hls thrt
20 horribly cut from ear 10 ear, quite deal, WI
ss the razor lightly clutched in his hand.
N a The excitement in the neighboi hood Ol
on tragedy was intense, and up to late nc
! ~ last evening the house was crowded W
all visitors and the road in the Vicinity lin
with carriages lrom all directions. In u
bot city also there was great excitement as
lrls Jolnson hnu hls "nlly a'e aanc
In borne good reputation. He was, howey
hal Jealous aud passionate and at times addlc
in, 10 extreme excess. He served a term OF tn
tIs years In company II 9TH regiment Come
NH, cut volunteers, and was honerbly discharg
! he had on several occasions spoken 70 trle