The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-27
A WILLIAMSBURG TRAGEDY.
A Young Married Woman Shoots and Instantly
Kills Her Employer-Inquest by Coroner
Whitehill Last Night

al ABOUT noon yesterday terrible, but not I'M
usual tragedy, in this tragcal age was enacted Ia
Williamsburg. At the hour mentioned George w.
watson, manufacturer OF ladies' hair nets. doing
business IN Mercps building, No. q South Eleventh
street, Williamsburg, was shot In the back OF the
mead as he was leaving his factory by young mar
ried woman in his employ, named Frances Hyde.
anu lie expired few moments Afterwards
THE CAUSE OF THE TRAGEDY
Is yet mystery. the murderess being rather reti.
cent In regard to 1t, ana no one else appearing to
know anything positive ABOUT It,
When Mr.. WatsOn's body was found lying at
the foot or the stairs that he was descending
when he received the fatal shot. 1t was SUD-
posed that he accidentally fell down ana thus
sustained his Injuries; but an examination revealed
the ract that bullet had penetrated his brain,
tertng behind MS right ear. While the police were
investigating the case Mrs. Hyde, accompanied by
her father, husband and others, went to the Fourth
street STATION house and surrendered herself TO
Captain woglom, saying:-"He called me foul names.
and l shot him." or words TO that effect Snewas
locked up. and Coroner wnitehlll, being promptly
notified TOOK charge or the body OF the murdered
man aud empanelled Jury. The body was re-
tnaw Of the deceased, No. 45l Hudson avenue.
where p0stmor examination Will be made to.
DAY.
THE MURDERED MAN
has wife and family residing in Hartford, Conn,
three years OF age ana looked like a consumpuve.
He boarded at No. AZ Wilson street, Williamsburg
is a native OF Nottingham, England, or medium
stature, handsome features ana lusrous eyes, with
nervous temperament she has Yen In Mr. Wat
sons employ for three years, anu two years ago
married ayouaR man named Henry hyde employed
as a bookbinder 10 Appleton's establis nment III
Kent avenue. Her maiden name was Frances Wind.
lev. On belug asked last evening IN her cell what
Mr; Watson ever dd to provoke her to take his llie
names yesterday. He lnsulted me most grossly,
| both before and alter my marriage" On being
asked why she continued in his employ under sucn
circumstances she became somewhat hurried, and
sad that she preferred to say nothing more on the
subject.
Coroner Whiteh last evening commenced an IN
quest in the building where the tragedy took place.
ana took the following testimony
Ellen Curley, sworn. dep0sed-I work here for
Mr.. Dexter; know George W. Watson; ne worked
on tue same floor where worked; left the factory
for the store about ten minutes to twelve to-day;
when returned met Mrs. hyde on the first flight
OF stairs; first thought tnat she was singing, but
found that she was moaning; she told me TO
go in and tell the men that Mr. Watson was
found 1t locked; on stepping back saw Mr. Watson
lying on his back at the foot OF the stairs, and saw
tered; when first saw Mr.. Watson | did not know
whether ne was dead or alive; told Mr. Potts, the
covered with blood; MIR. Potts then went out to the
hallway, and went up stairs TO my chop; saw
MRS Hyde standing beside Mr.. Watson, but saw no
weapon In ner hands; l have known her about
year. The witness here identified and pointed
ont the prisoner and said that sha
never heard OF any difficulty between the prisoner
| and deceased; never heard her make any threats;
did not hear any report OF pistol In the factory
yesterday; never saw Il pistol III Mrs. Hyde's pos
session; frequently saw Mr.. Watson and Mrs. Hyde
leave the corner together in the evening.
Henry Potts sworn, deposed-I knew the de-
ceased; he worked on the third floor OF this build
ing, manufacturing HAIR nets; know Fanny Hyde.
the prisoner; l think she worked for Mr. Wat
son; first heard OF the tragedy from Inc previous
witness; went out OF the snOp to look at Nj. Wat
son; saw him lying Oh the landing, with blood on
his head; thought he was hurt, but did not speak
TO nim went immediately for a doctor, ana before:
! returned with one medical man mad been
br0ugh<in, who found that ar. Watson was dead:
l have known Fanny Hyde about two years:
aid not hear any report OF pistol
heard Mrs. Hyde ever threaten Watson, and mover
for the doctor Mr. Pixey told me that Mr.. Watson's
pulse was still beating; there was a woman stand
ing beside Mr.. Watson when irst saw hun lying
on the landing, but 1 don't know whether 1t was
Fanny Hyde not; never heard of Mr. watson
making improper proposals to young women III his
employ.
Mrs Frances Hyde, sworn, deposed-I reside at
80 Wythe avenue; am q married woman; nave up
to this time worked tor living by making hair
for Mr. Watson, In this building; am eighteen years,
OF age; have been married TWO years; was working
to-day; decline answering how long worked Tor
Mr.. Watson.
BY request of counsel for the prisoner the inquest
was here adjourned until this evening. and Mrs.
Hyde was remanded to the custody OF Captain
WOglOm.