The New York herald., 1874-07-22
A REVOLVING TRAGEDY.
Sad Results Of Domestic Infeltcity-A
Father Cuts the Throat OF His Child
and Kills HimselE-Details Of the

Sad Results Of Domestic Infeltcity-A
Father Cuts the Throat Of His Child
and Kills HimselE-Details Of the
Crime.
BIRMINGHAM, Conn., July 81 1874.
An event took place here this morning which for
brutality and cool calculation stands unparalleled
in Connecticut's criminal history. 1t took place at
nine O'Clock this morning in the little hamlet OF
Shelton, ON the Huntington side OF the Housatonc
river, within the town limits Of Birmingham. and
caused the greatest excitement, inasmuch as the
parties were well known, and some OF them occu-
pying positions OF respectabillty in society.
THE CRIME
was committed under the following circum-
stances "A man named John JACKSON employed
at the iron and steel works in Birmingham, went
to his labor as usual at seven O'Clock He was evl-
IDENTIFY in perturbed state OF mind as he did not
behave as usual, which was noticed by his COM
pani0ns There seemed to be something on his
mlnd He put on his apron. but instead OF begin
ming work he lounged around the shop. In this
connection IL may be stated that Jackson was
married some years ago to the widow OF one John
Redteld, also OF Birmingham Mrs. Redfcld had
one daughter. who afterwards became the wife
OF Mr.. Oscar Smith. Jackson was Of q
quarrelsome disposition, and especially SO when
under the influence OF liquor, to the inhibition Of
which he was addicted. In one OF his drunken
fits, over year ago, he attacked Mrs- Jackson
with large knife, cutting her garments literally
In pieces, but iniiictlng no injuries. She found 1t
impossible to bear the abuse which her husband
heaped upon her, and leaving him. went 10 live
with her son-n-law, Mr.. Cornish. Acting under
legal advice she SOLD the MAJOR portion OF her
household furniture, which SO exasperated Jack
son that he threatened vengeance upon her. He
was impelled to renew his threats as he found her
happy and enjoying herself with Others These
things had so wrought upon him that his state OF
mind this morning Is accounted for.
Woittn mt hn u n too
works on his way to the pin factory near, Jackson
threw OF his apron, put on his hat and started for
the house, he began the use OF loud and threaten
ing language. He pretended ne wished to talk to
his we Wished 1t 70 n e the te pSy aad aemanded
oSaHlsu ooaa not sAS entertain l'u him '1 ne had had
Tns as eusea to d wnea s'' sne wf
him to retire, and not compel her to call assist
Jackson then rushed into the bedroom, where Mrs.
Jackson, his wife, was lying. She, seeing the
angry and desperate look ol ner husband, also
boy. aged seven years, was seated in the lap OF
his grandmother, little dreaming OF the awful fate
child, but could not endure the happiness 1t was
enjoying, inasmuch as 1t contributed to the hap;
approscSed ssSsa and ne spoke o' TO e the LADY
and extended his arms as II 70 embrace and anu KISS M
nend seized the lad by the hair, pulled his head
back and, quicker than lightning, drew the blade
OF q jacKknife, which he had concealed in his
sleeve,
ACROSS THE THROAT OF THE CHILD
Blood flowed the lady screamed and assistance
came. The scene that followed no pen can de-
scribe; but the END was not vet. The mailman had
another bloody deed to perform. NelghDOrs near
by, hearing the cries OF the boy and the
screams of the woman, rushed into the house
Just in time to see Jackson draw the
bloody implement twice across his own
throat, cutting it from ear to ear, and almost dis
severing the neck, first stabbing himself three
times IN the left side and cutting the muscles and
snews OF both arms above the elbow. From the
effects OF these wounds the frantic man died in
about forty minutes.
Drs. Beardsley and Shelton were summoned and
sewed up the gashes in the boys neck, and every
thing was done to save q life which at this mo-
ment is oespaired OF. Mr.. and Mrs. Cornish are
almost frantic, and have the sympathy OF the
whole town. 1t Is currently believed that jack
sons intention was to have Killed his wife first, her
daughter next, then the child anu finally him
sell. Fortunately for those whom he has SO long
worried and narassed, he was successful In the
last particular