The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-11-14
ANOTHER WIFE MURDER.
Dastardly Crime by a Jealous
Man.
A Woman Shot Down in the Presence Of
Her Child.

What appears 10 be a deliberate murder occurred in
South Brooklyn about nine o'clock yesterday morning.
The parties the tragedy and wife, the for
mer being the executoner and the latter the victim
The murderer is John J. Burroughs and the deceased
Elizabeth. The incentive the crime jealousy.
Mrs Burroughs has the past three four months
been living apart from her husband being unable longer
70 remain with MIN owing to his utter worthlessness
and disspated habits. She rented the rear and
hall bedroom Of small frame house. No 247 Fifteenth
street. between Fifth and Sixth She took in
sewing, and being expert neediewoman, earned
enough to support her little daughter and herself
fortably her rooms, which neatly furnished were
models OF cleanliness.
After a couple Of months Burroughs, who is OF low,
jealous nature made his appearance about the place
from time TO time blghting the peace which his alb
had allowed his wife He coarsey her Of
improperly OF conduct sought to obtain money from
her and in every possible way annoyed her. About
days ago he
THREATENED HER,
and che appears then entertained the fear that
be would carry out his threat she secured the door
Of her room with extra bolt Yesterday morning,
between eight and nine O'clock the murderer who had
been watching the promises all the night previous stole
unobsorved the house and crossed the threshold OF
his wfe's sitting He then passed into the
kitchen where Mrs Burroughs preparing the frugal
breakfast There else present except
child three years old They met face face and whaI
passed between them is unknown Two pistol shots
were heard by the people living down stairs
They hurried up to inquire the cause, and
found Mrs Burroughs lying the noor bleeding
copiously wound in the throat and from another
in the faco, just below the right Her feet were
near the door, her head toward the WALL which would
seem indicate that she had made effort TO escape
when the fatal shots were fired She was unconscious
when found and breathed her last in few moments.
Police Surgeon Rooney was early in attendance but
his could be of avail The murderer
walked out OF the house and the Eighth
precinct police station house. Sergeant Brown was
the desk when Burroughs who is well known TO the
police, walked in and handing four barreled pistol 70
him, said,
q HAVE SHOT MY WIFE
and want to give myself to the custody OF the
police" Officers were despatched to take charge Of
the house until the arrival OF the Coroner
The body covered with sheet and the rag carpet
saturated with blood. There were marks of refine
ment here and there apparent. On side table among
other works was an Episcopai prayer book. On a ny
leaf of the book written in neat female hand,
'Libbie Kinsmer (her maiden nainel Christmas Eve,
1855" Several female friends OF deceased in the
when the writer visited the place and tear
fully discussing her many good qualities
VICTIM.
Mrs. Elizabeth Burroughs was about Twenty-Five
years of age and OF Nova Scotia She was mar
red her destroyer years ago and had child
girl, three years old Her maiden name Kinsmcr,
and her mother is now living in Gowanus. She was
short in stature and rather comedy IN appearance She
Burroughs second wife, Deceased a member
Of the Episcopal Church Captain Mcclellan says there
is not particle OF evidence TO show that deceased
gave her husband be jealous her reputation
among her neighbors excellent He also says there
no sign OF liquor about the prisoner when he gave
himself up.
John j. Burroughs is a man about forty years Of age
Of rather solid build. He has brown hair and
hazel eyes. HIS face is round and full and bears
mlstakabe evidence of dissipation His mouth is large
and the lips full, denomg strong passions and
atty by occupation he Is pasterer and brcklaycr
He born Long Island and said to be respecta-
bly, connected, though his relatives have not recog-
nzed him of late years in consequence of his nempe-
rate habits When the HERALD reporter accompanied
by Captain Mcclellan. entered the corridor the rear
OF Yesterday morning shortly after
4 Burroughs had surrendered himself he found the
wretch walking mp and down hrs cell with his hands
his pockets He was chewing tobacco, and glared
wildly out upon his visitors, but made
mark. To the Captain he refused TO make
any statement touching the tragedy further than that
he was jealous OF his victim He certainly did not APP
pear TO be suffering from remorse did he seem to
realize the enormity Of the crime which he lad com
mittod-
MRS DoLAs's STATEMENT
Mrs Dolan, who lives the first floor OF the house
tn which the tragedy occurred states that Mrs Bur-
roughs was most industrious and hard working woman
and that no exception could be taken to conduct
Deceased was Tor long time past afraid OF violence
the hands OF her husband The evening before election
day the prisoner called his wife and told TO Ego
down upon her knees and make her peace with Heaven
she had not long livan Mrs Burroughs told Mrs
Doan OF the circumstance the next day and in doing
so she said she was afraid OF her life and would get
strong bolt and put i on the door Of her
by him." She did get the bolt and put it
day or two afterward Mrs Dolan that Bur-
roughs had been sitting the curbstone opposite the
house watching the place all night He was, she be-
eves expecting that his wife would make her appear
the early the morning as was her GUS
tom to procure milk at the corner grocery store for
breakfast Deceased for some reason unknown, did
not leave the house yesterday morning IL may that
she was appraised Of the fact that her husband was
watching his opportunity to kill her Mrs Dolan did
not hear him coming into the house yesterday did
she overhear any quarreng The reports OF two pistol
shots the first ntmaton she had of the fact that
Burroughs up stairs The who lives
In the front the second floor
had been out the store and was lust
coming in when she heard the reports.
Florence Burroughs who is stopping At the residence
OF her grandmother 4S Seventeenth street. says that
20 20 home with him. He said several times that she
must come with him, and she replied that she would
not CO. Then her mamma took stick aud told him TO
go out OF the house she would hit him. She did
strike him. and then he shot her. Florence said sho
frightened then that she away into the bed
room and covered up her head
The mother of the prisoner states that her John
has been nearly frantic lately, and Sunday last he
attempted to take his life. He seized a carving
knife from the dinner table in the presence OF his
mother and was about 10 draw the blade across his
throat, when she snatchcd the knife from him. and In
doing severely cut the fingers She said her
married the deceased for beauty and aerward
and to quarrel with her on Tuesday last, Mrs Bur-
roughs states her went to his wife In company
with his sister and he enrcated her to back and
live with him He took his oath the Bible that ne
would drink more, but she would not listen TO him
A DETERMINED CHALLENGE.