Wilmington daily gazette., 1873-09-25
Tfomth PhllA. TslsrAbA.o % wsaA..das .v.nInu.
Wife MurdoFed-lsusband Dsad.
TRAGEDY IN RIuH LIE.

NANA8A0Na0 ANOG9s
TRAGEDY IN HIGH LlFE.
During last night q tragedy was enacted
within the walls Of an elegant mansion in
west Philadelphia, involving the death Of one
OF the parties, and disabling Tor life the other.
IhiS morning the residents across the river
were startled by the alarming intelligence
that nelRhboH mad In the dead Of night MUIR
dered his wife, and, in his frenzy, shot him
self, causing his almost instant death. Cling
ing, as IL were, to straw Of hope, the friends
OF all the parties would not believe the state
ment, but it was soon confirmed, and Q season
OF mourning began.
THE PARTIES TO THE DEED
are respectfully, Thomas Brown Parker, and
ms wife Ellen, who lived in opulance at No.
42l5 Kingsessing avenue. The house In which
they resided is a magnificent brown stone viii
Ia. located on tho edge Of hill locking down
INTO beautiful and picturesque gorge, from
which spring up massive oaks and dropping
willows, adding their beauty to the shFubDCry
around them. Surrounding the residence Is =
plot OF ground, grandly laid out with the Tar-
est plants inteTspeTced here and there with
graVelled walks, and q stranger passing
would think that cOntentment and ease resided
there.
One Of the wealthiest men in West PhIIadel
phia, and retired from business, Mr.. Parker
bestowed great attention upon his residence,
keeping in his employ host of servants, upon
whom he impressed the importance Of cheer
iul and neat household as one Of the greatest
DoOns falling to the lot Of man. Tie architec-
tural beauty of his home, and the extent of his
grounds, showed him surely to be one of reiin-
ed taste.
MR.. AND MRS. PARKER
after dinner stepped into their ph@ton at the
door and went out for ride, as was their Gus
tom OF an afternoon. Tkey we're gone until
aoous O'Clock, when they returned home and
an hour or so after took tea They retired
Tor the night and this was the last seen Of them
until alter the shooting. Mr.. Parker occupied
the front room on the first floor, while Mrs.
Parker slept in a chamber in the rear, small
crio near her bed being used by their three year
Old boy, the only child. The female servants,
some lhree or four in number, occupied the rear
I2ou r2 on the second floor, Immediately back Of
Mrs farker's apartments, and the remaining
attache at the house was a coachInen Who slept
over the stable in the rear. From what could
oe learned It was considerable time after they
nau retlIed That Mr.. Parker, after securing
SharPs four-barrelled revolver,
STEPPED INTO HIS wIFE's ROOM
and while in her slumbers he shot her and
then killed himself The Bond of their love
tue sleeping child in the CRIB, remained still in
It's Innocence, and Was saved from witnessing
sight so horrible. :"
MIS-. Parker, Who was not rendered uncon-
Slocs' alarmed the servants, and Dr. Mitchell,
the family physician, together with DR.. Fox.
ne,gheor, was called in. They examined The
Wltes wound, and found that the ball had pene-
traIea her lace directly under the left eye, and
near the nose, lodging in the bones of The left
cheek without entering the brain. Her injuries
may prove fatal, but il is believed that with the
proper care, which she will no doubt receive a
recovery will take place A look at Mr. par
ker satisfied the physician that he was already
deal, lie had shot himself in the right ear.
and the instrument with which he had commit
ted the deed was still in his right hand. OnIv
two shots had been fired, and the remaining
chambers were charged.
There are many copjeciures as to the incau-
tives which led Mr. Parker to enact such a TssT-
Iul tragedy but mystery surrounds it which
Ptonloitaiany statement from Us until the veil
saail have been liftsd. 1t is rumored that Inc
deceased would not have gone so far without a
cause, which may be known only TO himself and
ms %ould-he- victim. while it is believed by some
.hat his mind was deranged, and that it was the
act Of a madman.