New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-24
HORRIBLE DOMESTIC TRAGEDY.
AN INSANE MOTHER KILLS HER TWO ,cuu,Dar,

AN INSANE MOTHER KILLS HER TWO 'cIIIIDREy
Annie Hennessy, age 90, murdered two of
her children in the tenementhouse No ST Thrdst ast
night. Six years ago George Hennessy. shoemaker
married Annie II gan. Their married life has been a
very happy one She bore INN three children-Teresa
Hennessy, now aged years George Hennessy
ago years. aud Francis Hennessy age
months. Since the birth Of her Last child, Mrs.
Hennessy has become very melancholy. and
has expressed herself fearful OF her salvation here
after. Both her husband and herself ara members of
the Roman Catholic Church. During Lent her attend
ance at church constant but she said she could not
regain her faith in her redemption She told her bus
band that she feared for her chdrens life beyond the
grave Her parents living by, noticed their daugh-
ters hallucinaton and had many consultations with her
husband az 70 the means be taken dispeI mel
ancholy There wero no fears felt however that she
would ever harm the children.
Her husband went 70 his daily az usual yester-
day morning, and remained the shop all day On
returning to his home at p M. he surprised to
find the door of his apartments in the fifth story
He knocked gently the door several times and then
not finding himself admitted endeavored to break down
the door. He had broken in Of the panels when his
wife suddenly opened the door, and told
him IN walk In. She did not manifest any
surprise, however, at his violent action,
or offer any explanation of her conduct open
ing the door when he rst knocked she said nothing as
lac entered the room, and after no lad sat down in
chair began walking up and down the room In an agi-
ated manner. He thought that her conduct was very
singular, ont said nothing.
HIS daughter Teresa gcame into the room from an in
ner apartment aud clambered into his lap. He then
asked his where the other children were She did
not reply, but walked across the ROOM Horri-
fed by awful thought that came to
him. he looked around the and saw the
band and part Of the arm OF child protruding
from some clothes which covered the top Of a large
wash-tub. springing across the room he lifted the
clothes. and there upon pillow saw the forms OF his
two youngest children both dead. Almost with
horror and grief he asked his wife II she had murdered
the children sui she would not speak him. but kept
walking tho floor. He sat down on a chair and
there remained motonless for over an hour He then
again asked her II she had killed the children At this
demand she stopped IN her walk. and, turning toward
him. said, IT'S all right George" She then told him
that he must not leave the house, that he stay
there with her to watch over the children.
He attempted TO persuade her allow him TO 90 for
physician and after hours conversation with her at
last gained her permission 70 bring physician who had
been in attendance upon her for month previous DR..
Thompson Of No 544 East Tpefthst. The husband was
afraid leave his daughter the mother and
accordingly took her into tho room Of ncighbor and
there left her Hennessy then went to DR.. Thompson
and brought him 10 Che house. Tho physician at
that the insane and sent information Of
the murder 70 the Seventeenth Precinct Police Upon
aiming bodies OF the children Dr. Thompson dis
covered that they had both stranged death by
their mother She mad then taken their bodies and lad
placed them upon the hot stove, severely burning both
bodies.
The insane woman was taken to Bellevue Hospital.
and the bodies Of the murdered children placed in
the Morcuo Coroner Keenan, requested to hold an
inquest