The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-07-23
THE BIRMINGHAM HORROR.
Murder Added to Suicde-Death Of the Boy
"Gussis" Cornish-Verdict Of the
Coroners Jury.
BIRMINGHAM, Conn.,. July q, 1874.

BIRMINGHAM, Conn.,, july =, 1919.
The attempt OF John Jackson to murder the ooy
'Gussen Cornish, which last night resulted IN the
death OF the victim aud the suicide OF the muir
derer an account OF whc1 has already appeared
IN the HERALD has thrown this village into III
iutensest excitement During the DAY thousands
tsome OF them coming for miles in teams and
by the cars have visited the house where the
bloody butcheries took place. Every portion Of
The h.use the rooms and their furniture
especially that room in which the tragedy was
coInmittcd was minutely examined. Each and
every one went away shuddering, ana with
countenance horrided. TO JacSson's deserved but
terrible death-a death 100 revolving TO contem-
plate under any circums tances-ts added that of
the innocent boy ''Gpssie'' Cornish, VINO expired
In agony last evening, surrounded by weeping
friends his wounds bathed with bitter tears. 1t
was found that while
THE FATAL JACK KNIFE
OF The assassin had failed TO penetrate either the
jugular vein or the windpipe, yet the cash in the
little fellows throat was a fearful one ANA so
much blood had been lost that little vitality was
lett on which TO rely He was q bright, beautiful
child and general fayorite with all who knew
him. He was much beloved by his grandfather,
the murderer, who was not formerly considered
q very pad tempered man eXceDt when In liquor
WIN previous wife Jackson rad got along wei,
rearing family OF SIX children. al OF whom are
introduction oil that TOO frequent element OF ais-
cord Ia rhe family clrcle-a stepmother-miSery
was created by the opposition OF the children 10
the new order OF things which terminated III the
Sorruwful tragedy OF yesterday. In every family
quarrel blame is 10 be found on both sides, out
in this case, amid the mass o! conflict
ing statements current. no substantial cause
Tor censurlng the unfortunate wife can be found.
She appears TO have been patient OF abuse ana
ooedient even TO the most unreasonable exactons
or ner husband. Since she found 1t necessary 10
separate herself from Jackson, he has frequently
tried to persuade her to return; but she has in
variably re.used on the ground OF former i'll treat
ment, which she feared would be repeated jack
son brooded his trouble In his loneliness,
passing sleepless nights and uncomfortable days,
which brought him almost to a state of despera,
TOD. he seems TO have determined 20 make
ONE FINAL EFFORT
ut reconciliation, and to have prepared himself IN
case OF failure, Tor some terrible deed OF violence,
as he was seen TO sharpen his knlle yesterday pre-
V;ous to leaving the shop. The facts OF the ARRAY
At the house oil Mr.. Cornish are as gwen yestel
day, except that. upon entering the house he ad-
dressed himseli 70 his wife. patting her upon
so BACK and Se WITH a n sse said mo
John. have got clear Of you and am going TO
action, at the same time making motion to put
his arm In the sleeve OF which was the iatal knife.
around Mrs. Jackson's neck. The scene that iol.
owed has already been described. Had Jackson
lived TO get into the hands OF lawyers for the MUIR
er OF the little boy, there woud have oeen me
TIRE PLEA OF emotional INSANITY"
few moments before he breathed his last Jack
called for his vie, winch call was mlscon-
strued TO mean his knife. She did not, could not
answer, though he evidently wanted her 10 for
give him. After death the body was removed 70
the house OF Mr. Jennings on Minerva street,
wnere II was viewed by large number OF friends
apd fellow musicians. the deceased having been
Member OF the village string oauG and violinlst
In The choir OF the Congregational church.
THE UNFORTUNATE BOY
too, drew many TO his bedside who sorrowed at his
untimely decease and sympatniZed with mis-
afflicted parents. DURING the DAY Coroner James
w. wheeer elApanelied as a Jury John s. ras-
senger toreman>, David Beecher, J. j. Johnson, F.
G. Perry, William Holmes, u. G. Bedlenr, Oliver
Doolittle and James NaKelee, who held an inquest
on the murderer and murdered. Their verdict could
be rendered only in accordance with facts which
80 emphatlcaly speak Tor themselves. Thus has
ended Q double tragedy Of which the history or
this community knows no parallel