The New York herald., 1873-11-16
UNHAPPY MlYRIMoyY.
Duncan T. Templet0n Shoots His
Wife in Eighth Avenue.
fhc Wounded Woman Daughter OF Pfesl-
dent Grants Private Secretary.
LINGERING BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.

the real or imagined grievances under which two
parties under the matrimonial yoke have long suf-
tered, occurred yesterday morning on Eighth
avenue near Fourteenth street. When a
drunken cobbler assaults his wife with his
shoe knife or ar exasperated mason stabs the
partner OF his unhapplness with trowel, the com
munity shudders, mentally recalls some trite tenn
perance maxim, and, after declaring its verdict
against the poor wretch who committed
the deed, and who may be the most deserv-
ing of pity, dismisses the subject from its
thoughts. The metropolitan community, made
up OF Q wondrous variety Of elements, relishes
and gl0ats ever anything which offers to It's intel
l0Ctual palate the slightest sembance OF scandai or
sensation. A somerset thrown in the puohc
highway by the most skilled acrobatuoe not at
tract any notice. while fashionable murder, COM
xitted In the privacy OF a hotel room, fills the
same popnlace with morbid human interest.
The city was yesterday treated to one OF the
most characteristic and sensational shootings,
which failed OF murder from no good intention OF
the principal actor in the affair. The picture OF
man shooting another man, then surrendering
himself and walking OF triumphantly with the
police ofiicer, who, apparently out OF courtesy
accompanied him to the station house, had been
thoroughly familiarized in connection with the
Stokes and King assaults. They were character
istic shoOtings of the "Don't tcare-a-damn" order
Here we have change-a man with all the neces-
sary bravado, SO requisite in a murder Of this
gchOOl, assaults on the public thoroughiare, not
agenteel rufilan or an unoffensive stranger but a
lady, ana that lady his wife. When the police inter-
fere he draws pistol from that mysterious hip
pocket and shoots his vile through the neck inict
ing wounds which may prove mortal. Such is the
type OF would-be murder which is served up this
Sunday morning.
THE DETAILS OF THE CRIME.
Duncan T. Templeton about three years ago mar
ried, in opposition to the expressed wish OF the
6dy's parents, Miss Ida BabcocE, daughter Of
General BabcOck, the private secretary Of the Pres
ldent The young bride was scarcely 16, and en-
counterea the matrimonial future with some ideas
which do not appear to have coincided with
those OF the man whom she had promised to honor
and OBEY. The marriage was not happy one,
privation and i'll treatment, Q separation took
place. This was several months since.
& took board Nest at Ms r.
street, near Eighth avenue. Tempeton, whose
NE has been rather irregular for more tnan year,
The young vile had resided at her new home only
few days before she was called upon by her
70 his home she was threatened with
violence Some OF the persons IN the house
threaten to take ken his wiie,s lie. These calls have
been more or less frequent ever since Mrs. Temple.
ton was In the house, and SO vexatious had they
become that she refused to see or speak with ner
Eecreant husband. 1t has been very seldom that
the lady has ventured out OF the house.
Templeton was ont on Eighth avenue, only few
steps from her home, when she was accosted by
70 take up her abode with MIN, she was seized % by
the wrists. Her screams brought a policeman,
who ,a,r arrested Templeton. "A AS the prisoner
he suddenly turned round, drew and fired
. pistol at his wife. The shot took effect in her
epposite cheek. The prisoner was locked up;
she wounded woman was taken to her home Such,
There are two stories about the events Immediately
preceding the shooting, but the reporter has ac-
Cepted that which comes from the police.
THE SCENE OF THE ASSAULT.
The line which divides the Ninth and Sixteenth
wards, as well as the Ninth and sixteenth police
house in which Mrs. Templeton was resid.
Ing Is located on the south side of
Ninth precinct; the shooting, however took place
On Eighth avenue between Fourteenth ana Fiji
teentn streets and as as consequence the prisoner
house. on Twentieth street. near Eighth avenue.
Onicer Gallagher, who made the arrest, gives the
following statement Of what ne saw OF the shoot
Twas attracted by a woman's cry ou the east
Sno was Calling Police police" at once
rushed to the spot and found young woman
struggling with man. Both were well dressed
and had the appearance OF respectabllity.
near at hand, who appeared TO have been
IN company with the young lady who held by
the man. at once took hold OF the man and, tell
Ing the lady to consider herself under arrest and
TO accompany me, started toward the station
house with my prisoner The man released his
hold upon the young lady and, although
terribly excited, appeared to submit quietly;
We, that is the prisoner and l. started
np Eighth avenue and the lady was preparing to
follow. We had only taken few steps, however,
before could either guess his intention or inter-
ERE drew small pistol rom his hip pocket, and,
done n much s iess a. time ae than % it rsasires eas a
for me to tell you. The lady staggered, and / felt
ssure that she had been hit. | did not lose an
instant, but dlsarlned the would-be murderer and
Austled him along TO the station house. The lady
was at once cared Tor by other officers who had
argived, and believe was conveyed directly to her
THE CAPTAINS STATEMENT.
Captain Cherry, Of the Sixteenth precinct, makes
the following statement OF the conduct OF the
prisoner, Duncan T. Templeton :-'I never saw the
man before to my knowledge. When he was
only slightly nushed and nervous. He appeared
utterly indifferent regarding the result OF the
.sclothes and said very little for while After the
usual formula was gone through witn-taking
% s name sSa. ,;s ADDRESS s and ana age-he said tS
.snat ne had repeatedly asked her 10 return,
nat that she would not do so. He had
West fourteenth street. but she had either denied
! INN an audience, or, If she had seen him. rejected
. q his offers. He made general charges against
( he character Of the house which he claimed
r. Ddered the place an improper one for his
v 1e 70 remain IN. he asserted that he had deter
al Nea 70 nave ner despite all opposition. Further
tha VI this he did not offer any Justification He re-
ass, erted that his wife had gone to be an inhabi-
san, 'of mousse OF bad character and that he never
c0uk STAND sucn a proceeding. He industriously
avOtl Gd saying anything about the shooting u
.W, vs. this assertion regarding the house mere
slande Y, or is there any foundation for his state
mentS asked the reporter
.As Uu know, the house is in the Ninth precinct
and % not, therefore, know much about the
premise, But from experience I am CON
vinced b. ' what ! saw that the story Is only
n base tander upon both the family and the
lady herse Y 1t Is, should Judge, a respectable
boarding b vuse. A man and his wife and their
grown up daughter occupy the house and are to
INV mind II Ud guarantees OF its respectabilty /
slid not see snything to justify even a suspicion
against the character OF the house,
THE PRISONER.
Duncan +. ,Tempeton states that he resides at
Alx. 4 Nnst Inurfennfh sfreef and that he ~ 20