The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-07
A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY.

Fearful Butchery by u Suspicious Hus.
band Near Moravia, N. Wills Wife
and a Man In Whose House She Was
Staying ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF the
Murderer.
AUBURN. N. Y, jan Q, 1872.
At about one O'Clock yesterday January 81 the
citizens OF Moravia village, seventeen miles south
OF this city, were startled by the intelligence that
william J. N. Shepherd, farmer residing about
mile and half northeast OF M0ravia, and Mrs.
Sophia M. Hillsman had been murdered by John
Hillsman, the husband OF Mrs. Hsman, at the
residence Of Mr.. Shepherd. large number Of
citizens from the village Immediately went to the
place, and upon their arrival asccrtained that
the report was but too true. and also
that the perpetrator Of the foul crime had
terminated his own existence by committing
suicide and at that time lay weltering in his own
blood, shed by his already douby guilty hands,
which within the space OF an hour had sent with.
reckoning his own spirit and those OF his unsus-
pecting unprepared and unarmed victims. The
bodies Of Mr.. and Mrs. Hilsman were lying IN inc
north ROOM stairs, Of the residence OF Mr. Shep-
perd, where they had fallen, both lying with
THEIR HEADS TO THE EAST,
and upon their backs, and large pools OF blood
about the head OF each, the head of Hillsman lying
at the feet of his murdered wife, the right
with water and blood. Appearances would indi-
cate that at the time she was killed she was en-
gagged in arranging her toilet, and was standing in
u
bason, with towel, in which small quantity
OF water remained. That no warning was
given the unfortunate woman or that she
Entertained any suspicion of her husbands in
tentions is evident from all the surrounding cir
cumstances. Not sound had been heard by the
other persons In the house; no article OF furniture
In the room had been displaced or disturbed, but
all was quiet and in order, denoting harmony and
THE DEAD BODY OF SHEPHERD
lay in the sitting room below upon lounge II had
been placed upon moving 1t from near the foot of
tatra nil fba in gfa mt nat tnn
fatal shot was fired at HIM. To all appearances
neither one Of them struggled, breathed or moved
after the fatal shots were fired. Large numbers OF
persons came to the house from all directions for
miles around as the sad intelligence spread, and
before nightfal hundreds had gathered to view the
remains and render what assistance lay In their
power. -
was farmer OF about fifty years OF age and had re-
sided for many years in Moravia and In the town OF
Niles adjoining, had always taken an active in
terest i'm the agricultural interest OF the country
and was an energetic supporter OF advanced ideas
Ia agriculture and improvements in implements re-
lating to husbandry. He was well and favorably
known throughout the county and esteemed by all.
He leaves q widow and three daughters 10
especially mourn his loss and regret the sefr0wiul
illumination OF life suddenly cut OIL in the
prime of manhood, and large concourse of friends
and acquaiBtances whe had known his worth as
friend and neighbor and who will ads their tears
to those OF the bereaved iamlly hilisman'
THE MURDERER,
was OF Southern birth and education, was naturally
OF a suspicious and jealous disposition, was irri
| table and imperious, aud cherished the idea that
the only honora bic remedy for fancied injury was
| the life OF the supposed offender He was dentist
by occupation, resident OF Madison, Ca, where
his relatives reside. His age was about forty years
lie arrived In Moravia on Friday last, and has been
an inmate oil Mr.. Sheppards house since That tilnc
| MRS. HILLSMAN
| was a woman of prepOssessing appearance,
native of this county and about thirty years OF age
Married at an early age, she was possessed OF con
siderable property, which her husband spent tn hgl
living and extravaganza. Endeavorng TO dissuad
him from his former course, ana settle down 70 tll
al mil
and enpendered feelings In him liz sequel OF wnlc
Was the tragedy olyesterday