The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-21
MYSTERIOUS DOUBLE MURDER.
ARREST OF THE SUSPECTED ASSASSIN
The Stonington Community Greatly
Excited by the Crime.

SToNIN0r0N, Conn.,, April 70. 1874.
One OF the most revolving crimes which ever
stained the history OF a neighborhood was perpe-
trated near TINS place last night-a crime stamped
by an atrocious perfection OF plan and detaii winch
places IL on par with the Bender murders ana
ahe wholesale slaughters IN Arkansas
On sunday night about half-past six, Mr.. and
Mrs. Lanrworthy lett their house in carriage for
the church they commonly attended in Mystic,
three miles away The two young men, Irving
md Cortland were about the house when they
left and Libby was engaged with his usual even
ing work There had been no collision nor dis
pute between them. There was nothing to hint at
the bloody work which was to transpire IN their
absence The iather and mother drove away with
NO suspicion OF what awaited them on their re-
turn. 1t was late when they reached their home,
NOT far from ten O'Clock. The house was dark and
quiet. Mrs. Langworthy went into the house and
called to her sons, but there was no reply. Her
husband pressed by and went into the Kitchen, and
stretching out his hand to feel his way IL fell upon
THE CORPSE OF HIS YOUNGEST SON.
He called to his wife tnat irving mad been muir
dered. She was so overcome by the announce
nent that he was obliged to give her all his care,
finally carrying her TO the house OF his brother,
James Langworthy. half mile away Then he re-
turned with some Few oi tne nelghoors VINO were
Entering the kitchen, they found the body OF Irving
sitting rigid and upright In chair. A table was
ct mis- side, and lamp, which had stood on it, was
overturned and lying in q thousand fragments
about the room. The boy sat with his feet upon
his feet as il mad fallen from his hand. His face
was calm and placid IN Its expression, not mark
upon II, not feature distorted; out on the head,
eXactly in the centre oil the crown, was
A GAPING, CHASTITY WOUND,
from which the blood trickled in a fast congeaing
pOoi on the door beneath. The boy had died he
sat- without the movement OF muscle. There
we're no evidences OF struggle; there was not a
n had dripped directly beneath the chair. The fur
niture arranged IN It's usual order and. ex-
cept Tor the darkness and the horrible object the
chair the room was as they had1ett it. The elder
son nowhere to be found. The frightened neigh
bors took IN the revolving scene below and then
evidences OF the murderer,s presence were irst re-
vealed in the tracks he hac lett behind him. The
walls OF the narrow stairway and little passage
above were splashed with blood, and great clots
and smears upon the corners showed where the as
HIS REEKING HAND
The scene below had been horrible, bur the one
above was douDly so. In his chamber lace down
ward upon his bed, lay Cortland, the Oldest son,
insensIble from q great cash at the base OF his
skull but breathing heavily and with great noise.
The place looked like shambles, the pillows We're
nothing but clot OF gore, and even the mattresses
beneath were saturated through and through. ne
moor under the bed was slippery, and great pool
had formed in one corner with the iow, Cortland
was undressed and ne mad evidently retired for the
night. When the blow was struck he had not risen
from the bed, but lay upon his face as he did when
were IN progress Libby, the hired man. had appeared
n Samuel Langwofthy' g house, and, pounding upon
the door, called upon the inmates for Gods sake
TO come up to the house. for there were two men
there VINO mad battered Irving over the head and
we're ransacking the house; that he libby had
fought them as long as he was able, ana then come
out Tor help. He was greatly excited his lace was
covered with blood and mis- conversation was
RAMBLING AND INCOHERENT.
He waited there some time and then returned to
the house. Mr.. Langworthy, the father OF the muir.
dered Day, was In the barn putting up has horse
when Libby told him That he was SICK and faint
from loss OF blood and that he feared he was going
20 die from the injuries he had received. He lald
down IN q harness room IN the barn. declaring
himself unable to stand up. In the meantime q
messenger had been sent to tae village and be
fore midnight DIR. c. +. Brayton and Deputy Sherif
T1linghast were at the spot. the latter dee med
dfctOry
TO WARRANT HIS ARREST,
and accordingly he was ironed and subsequently
brought here for sale keeping
THE INQuEST-LIBBY'S STORY.
The jury OF inquest commenced the examination
Of Witnesses in the Borough Hail here this after
noon, sitting with closed DOORS The first witne 81
examined was Libby, who apparently told plain
straight forward story.
the next witness, Mr. LangwOrthy the father OF
the young men, swOre that Libby told him last
night that he was attacked by two men, one oil
whom wore light overcOat, and that he fought
with them as long as he was able. This witness
also stated that Libby was Obedient, good ma
tured man, and had had, so far as he knew no dill
1culty with his sons. Several other witnesses
were examined, but nothing OF Impor lance was
ellclted from them, and the inquest was adjourned
- next saturday.