The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-17
THE STORY OF THE CRIME.
Father, Father, I Am Stabbed-Frank
Has Stabbed Me-"
THE HOUSTON STREET HOMICIDE
Arrest Of the Culprit-lIe Claims That the
act Was Done in Self-Defence
The Attempted Murder in
Oak Street.

Last Sabbath was one of the bloodiest that New
York has ever SEEM Murder suicide and felonious
assaults followed each other in such quick sue.
cession that there was scarcely q precinct in the
lower part of the city which had not it's tale of
crime to unfold. Nearly all the deadly encounters
took place between relatives The laws Of nature
and affinity were utterly disregarded. husband
lmbrued his hand in the life blood OF his wife,
married man was stricken down by the blow of
an axe, welded by his brother-in-aw, and youth
fell to the earth dead from stab inflicted by his
friend. These latest tragedies have produced q
widespread sensation, and it is generally felt that
Notwithstanding all that has been done in the pun
ishment and repression OF crime life is far from
being secure as ever.
The Tombs received its latest accession TO the
criminal list yesterday in the person OF Francis
Gen, VINO
BARBARoUsLY MURDERED HIS YOUTHFUL WIFE
on Sunday night. The crime for which Cien is
incarcerated is one OF the most revolving that has
ever disgraced the city. The victim, who was only
eighteen years OF age, was an extremely beautiful
girl and was an acknowledged belle in the Four
teenth ward. One year ago she was happy, careless
&rl, the pride OF her father, sober, Industrious
$Orklngman The girl earned decent living by
working In a lace store, and everything was going
well with her until she met Gillen at ball. The
latter was good-ooking fellow, and he soon made
an impression upon the susceptible heart OF the
girl. The father Of Ellen knew something Of
the character OF Gen, and they did
all they could to discourage her from
receiving his addresses, but in spite of
their precautions, so strong the influence OF
Gillen over the deuded girl that he prevailed upon
her to consent to a secret marriage and The couple
were united in October last. The union was
very unhappy one, and Ellen was so shocked when
she discovered the real character OF her hus
band that she was glad, at the solicitation OF
her parents, to leave him short time after the
marriage. The father OF Ellen, succeeded for a time
in preventing Gillen from prosecuting his wife. and
woman it was believed that he had given up his
wife entirely. He was not however, TO be so easily
got rid OF. After the separation Ellen went 10
work as sales woman in Il store in Grand street,
and the prisoner was in the habit OF following ner
CONTINUALLY ANNOYING HER.
This has gone on about two months
The circumstances of the murder have been
briefly narrated; but they were obtained more in
detail yesterday from the eyc-witnesses OF the oc
currence. shortly before ten O'Clock on Sunday
night Ofcer Mtchill, OF the Fifteenth precinct, OBJ
served Mrs. Gillen talking TO a young girl named
Kennedy in front OF the residence oil the latter
observed man crouching on the other side OF the
street attentively watching the two girls. The
officer recognized in the man Gillen. lie is We'll
known to the police as he has been arrested
number OF times for drunkenness and disorderly
conduct aud the officer determined to watch him
closely TO see what he after. Soon after the
Oficer's attention was attracted by the cry
of woman in distress, and Gillen was
seen running towards the alleyway OF 81 Crosby
street. The officer Immediately arrested him, and
asked him what he had done, when Gillen replied,
.lf your wife was TO do the same as mine you would
strike her, too"
1t seems that Gillen had followed his wife 10 the
house OF her father and lay in wait outside, and
when she left he had tracked her to the residence
OF her friend in Crosby street. When she left
Miss Kennedy to go home Gillen went the
hands upon her and violently detained her. The
prisoner was under the influence OF liquor. and he
insisted his wife should accompany him. This she
firmly refused TO do, and said she would have
nothing to do with him IN any way. dis manner
got alarmed, and she several times tore away from
Gllien's hold lie held on to her, ns!sting that
SHE SHOULD GO WITH HIM,
until they reached the corner OF Elm and Broome
Streets when Gillen, infuriated by repeated deni-
ais, took his wife by the bosom of her dress, and,
holding her with one hand, he commanded her TO
comply with his demand. Mrs. Gillen was decided
an her refusal. That moment was almost her last.
the unfortunate girl SIX times in the bosom
and he then turned and fed The victim Of this
unnatural crime put her hands to her bosom, from
which the blood was flowing in torrents, and
screamed, "Oh, father, fatnerh She was about
falling to the ground when bystander caught her,
to whom she family gave her address. While being
carried to her residence she was met
by her poor father. He rushed along and
clasped her in his arms when she cried out "Oh,
father, father, am stabbed! ! am dying Frank
has done It!' She sunk exhausted to the ground
and was tendery carried to her home, but the
blood was rapidly oozing from her wounds, and,
after
A FEW MOMENTS OF INTENSE SUFFERING
she died in the presence OF her father and sister
The perpetfator OF the murder had mean
while been taken to the Fourteenth pre-
clnct station house and lodged in
cell. He was loquacious enough at first, but
when informed that his wife was dead he became
which were asked him. He Is very good-lootlng
young man. but his features when excited, are ex-
pressive OF the worst passions, ts 1ehead in par
ucular being very unprepossessing. me murder
was observed by a number OF persons, who have
been detained By Captain Clinchy as witnesses
The following statement was made by the father
OF the girl to reporter
MY GIRL KEPT COMPANY
for two years with this man Giilen. objected 10
their intimacy, because l knew him 10 be a bad
Character. She used to see him unknown TO me,
and last October they were secretly married.
Since that time she lived at home, as before.
found out about q month ago that they mad been
married. Gillen was an idle loafer and never
worked. She worked in Maguige's store IN Grand
street, and was employed as iorewomln miiner
Last evening she put on her new dress and her
new bonnet, aud az about eight O'Clock went out
with her sister, little girl fourteen years old, to
get some ice cream in Grand street;
They returned about nine O'Clock. but Only my
little girl came upstairs. Her sister remained
down on the stoop, taking with an acquant,a;nce
another little walk
At about ten O'Clock heard a
THE STREET.
looked down and saw people running. few
minutes alter saw crowd coming along ON the
otner SIDE u the way. stepped over, and there !
saw my own daughter. some people were bearing
her along. The FIRST words she said when she saw
me were, Papa, papa, I'm stabbed;
FRANK GlLLEN HAS STABBED Me;
take me up stairs.n Some women came and bore
her up stars. went Tor priest aud then TO the
station house While ! was there giving informa-
tion the murderer brought in SO | came home
and my girl died in ten minutes alter
The prisoner was taken from the Fourteenth pre-.
cinct house TO Police Headquarters yesterday morn
ing, where mis- picture was taken. He
afterwards by order OF Coroner Keenan,
transferred to the Tombs. The inquest will
be held in the Fourteenth precinct station
house, at ten O'Clock this morning.
Great sympathy is felt for the father OF the girl
VINO has high character for Responsibility. The
body OF the grl lay IL his house all day yesterday in
an ice box decomposition having set in. The girl
looked beautiful In death, and an idea could be
formed oil how fascinating she must have been
while living. She was Of medium height with