The New York herald., 1872-09-07
MURDER AND SUICIDE.
A Husband Attempts to Kill His Vito and Child,
Then Cuts His Own Throat.

NEW HAVEN Sept 9, 1872.
little before two O'Clock this friday afternoon
the western part OF this city thrown into ter
rible state OF excitement from the fact that re-
port was In circulation that Philip Shenauer living
at ITO Putnam street, had killed his wife and child
and had afterwards committed suicide. On pro-
ceeding to the house it was found that the rumor
prevailing In the neighborh0od was too true, and
the following facts are given in regard to the ter
ribe afrar-
1t appears that Shenauer was formerly employed
by O. Pickett, OF this city, as bartender, and at
times was In the habit OF drinking to excess, at
such times being very abusive to his family. There
were other charges against him which had some
foundation In fact, one being that he was untrue
to his wife and was in the habit Of seeking the
society OF women Of loose character. These, with
other things were borne by his wife until
forbearance ceased to be virtue and In January
last feeling that she had endured all tnat she ought
to from her unfaithful husband, she resolved to
leave him and return to her father's house.
shenauer on learning her intentions, went home,
and. producing a pistol, threatened to shoot his
wife and child and then kill himself His wife made
complaint to the police authorities and her husband
was arrested and placed under $500 bonds to keep
the peace. On obtaining bonds he was released.
He then returned to his wife and made her a
solemn promise that II she would reconsider her
determination to leave him he would ever after be
faithful husband and would promise never to in
dulge In intoxicating drinks again. After mature
deberatOn she decided TO try him once more.
Everything moved S along narmoniously. the hus;
church and to all appearances was reformed
man.
to his former employment as bartender, much to
the sorrow OF his friends; and, though he assured
yet he could not resist the temptations by Which
aulgs 70 excess in drink. ON On thursday n night
@ Snd when his paS4 ws s1sss
with him. he told her that he should drink oil lie
tained bottle Of wine. and within few moments
to arouse all the latent passions OF his nature and.
on his wife still further demonstrating with him, he
grasped her by the throat and on her
screaming, he pushed his fingers into her mouth,
She finally released herself from his grasp, and on
her threatening to arouse the neighbors lie became
more quiet and finally retired TO bed. His wife,
her life was In danger and that she must again
leave her husband. and this morning proceeded to
carry her intentions into execution.
Shenauer went away early, and his wife, as soon
as he was gone, commenced to pack her things
q nsr nSG S5Oe
and get her things about one O'Clock in
saw shenauer and informed him OF his wlfe's
w s as G
arriving at his residence the murderer entered,
leaving the expressman outside. He had been
gone but few moments when fearful
scream was heard proceeding from the house.
and two men, who were near, rushed In to
in her blood, while near by Law her infant child,
seemingly In the last agonies 0fdeath. Shenauer was
nowhere to be seen but, on search being made, he
was found In the cellar lying In pool OF blood.
The mother and child were at once removed to the
house Of her father. who lives next door, and
at the scene Of the murder to prevent the crowd
that gathered from entering the house.
DIR. Ira Smith soon arrived and proceeded to an
examination Of the wounds. lie found that the
on the forehead by two blows from blunt instru-
ment, from which the brains were prOtruding. On
making an examination OF the mother; two large
cuts were found under the hair, one longitudinal
and the other vertical, the vertical one being q
fracture and depression. On her right arm,
to the bone. After hastily dressing the wounds OF
the wife the husbands case was attended to, and 10
was found that the would-be murderer and suicide
had fractured his own skull on both sides near the
temple and had gashed his head in fearful manner.
He had also attempted to cut his own throat, but
did not succeed In severing the main artery. lie
had also made large gashes In both wrists reaching
to the bone.
Shenauer was removed to the State HOSPITAL and
at six p. NJ still living though his medical at
lar revived this afternoon as to say that he did
the deed and only hoped that he had made sure
work OF 1t. The wife at last accounts, also the
child, were living, but with no hopes Of recovery.
Mrs. Shenauer so far recovered her senses this
afternoon as TO inform her attendants that the
terrible deed was done by her husband, and the in
struments used were q hatchet and carving knife.
The physicians are OF the opinion that none OF the