The New York herald., 1874-11-13
IRWIN AND O'MARA.
MoNTRoSE, Nov. l2. 1871

MONTRosE, Nov. IL, 1874.
Montrose the scene OF the stirring events about
TO be recorded, is the shire town OF Susquehanna
county, Pa, and situated about midway OF the town
ship OF Bridgewater. 1t Is very pretty village,
containing some two thousand inhabitants, and
most delightfully."- located upon an eminence some
sixteen hundred feet above tide water The
country round about is undulating and affords q
most Interesting variety OF landscape in hill, val
ley and wooded steep
On the 9th of September last year the whole
community was greatly excited by the announce
4 mept that horrible murder had been committed
IN the township OF New Milford, about eight miles
from the county seat. Early on the morning Of
that Gay, while it was yet dark, driving
along the road which crosses the track OF the Della
ware Lackawanna and Western Railroad, was
surprised that his horse should stop refuse to
pass over the track. The light was too dim Tor
him TO discover the cause OF the conduct
in the animal, and somewhat terrified he
called Tor assistance. His cries attracted the
trackmaster to the spot. and then was revealed
scene which made the very blood OF the men colo
with terror. Upon the track. stark In death, were
the forms OF two women, one bent by the weight
OF increasing years, the other advanced to middle
life. Upon the latter were seen eight gaping
wounds, through which the crimson tide OF life
had flowed out; the other showed no externa,
the victims had been run over by a passing coal
tram, put the COroner's inquest demonstrated
that botn had been
BRUTALLY MURDERED
and then brought to the spot where the bodies
were discovered. The idea could not be sustained
that death had been caused by accident, and In
vestlgatlons we're set on foot to fnd the authors
OF the terrible crime. The bodies were identified
as those OF Margaret O'Mara and Mary O'Mara,
mother and daughter. Suspicion at once fell upon
the son and brother OF the murdered individuals,
Daniel O'Mara and Patrick irwin. his hired
man. The evidence against the accused was
purely circumstantial, they protested their inno-
cence In the most emphatic terms; but the chain
OF circumstances was forged link by link and 80
enclrcled the guilty parties that there no pos
siDe chance for their escape. The very means
taken to avert suspicion from themselves proved
to be the strongest testimony against them. In
conveying the bodies to the railroad track in or
der to have 1t appear that they had been
crushed by the cars, trail was left
leading directly to the perpetrators OF
the fencish outrage against Gods image. From
the place where the bodies had been laid to the
house OF Daniel O'Mara, about two miles from
Montrose depot on a back, lone and desoate
road, retired from that about fifty rods, and ap-
preached BY lane, fenced on one side ana sklrted
by woods on the otner were evidences as plainly
as the Avenging Angel could trace them
pointing unmstakably to the murderers
The marks Of wagon wheels and the
footsteps OF oxen were clearly stamped no
the soft, moist soil, and here and there were seen
stains OF blood upon the leaves and at various
points along the road leading to the scene OF the
murder. In the house there were stronger marks
that the deed had been committed there The
walls were bespattered with blood and every
thing In and about the premises seemed TO say to
the suspected parties. "rhou art the guilty oncsn
O'Mara and irwin were arrested tried at the Janu-
ary term OF the Court this year and found guilty
THE MOTIVE FOE TIE CRIME.
On the trial the prosecution sought to show the
motive which prompted U'Mara to commit the
dreadful act. 1t seems that on the 23d day OF Sep
tember, 1sI0 Bartholomew o'Mara conveyed to
his son Daniel the farm upon which the family
were living In consideration that Daniel should
MAINTAIN his father ther and sister u ring their
natural nves. THIS contract seems TO have
been perfectly satisfactory TO all tile parties con.
cerned up to arch, 1879, when Danie,s father
died. Soon after that Daniel Ohiara married a
girl named Fagan ana took her to his house. The
the family was broken up and Danieps
life became anything but comfortable or
OF almost daily occurrence ana ,ncrsnsn
tcrness. On or about the LIST or September
1879 Patrick irwin appeared upon the scene. He
had been living IN the Pagan family and went
from them to work for aud i've with Daniel
O'Mara. The dniculties seemed TO be Increased
by his presence and by his making oyertures OF
marriage to Mary OMara, who refused toaccept
him as suitor.
THE THEORY or THE MURDER
is that Daniel 0'Mara desired 90 OBTAIN full possee
sion OF the farm and determined TO get rid OF MS
mother and sister. Patrick irwin is represe nted
TO be man oil reckless Impulses ready to do any.
thing lor money, and full or low animal cunning.
He was 1t seems no more favorite with the motil-
er than with the daughter, and Mrs. OMara was
neard on one occasion TO say TO him, "Dan brought