The New York herald., 1876-01-26
THE BURROUGHS WIFE MURDER.


CLOSE oF THE TESTIMONY FOR THE PROSE-
curIox-oPENINe OF THE DERENcE-A PLEA
OF INSANITY.
The trial Of Joseph Burroughs for the murder OF
his wife, Elizabeth Burroughs was continued yestcr-
day In the Brooklyn oyer and Termncr. Christopher
Bell, William A. Lewis and John H. Smith testified TO
the appearance OF the prisoner hardware store on
Fifth avenue Brooklyn, Monday night prior TO the
murder; he wanted TO buy pocket knife; was shown
several, which he and his companion thought too
small; they both in liquors. they at length found
they willing to take, when Burroughs wanted
IL on trust, 10 be paid for "tomorrow," and was re-
fused
Matthew Ryan the prisoner the night before the
tragedy; had known him FIVE years. he came asking
for work as brcklsyer; saw nothing peculiar in his
manner
DR.. W. Shepard testified that in the post.mortem
which ne made in conjunction with DR. Nesbit he
found that deceased had bullet hole in the forehead:
another ball passed through the throat and
10 the vertebra; the woman was eight nine months
pregnant the death OF the child consequent upon
the death OF the mother.
Patrolman Delaney, Of the Eighth precinct testified
that he sent week before the death Of Mrs Bur
rouEhs TO the house whore she lived and she said she
wanted the prisoner, her husband put out; witness
put him out though the prisoner begged OF her 10 let
him come back and che would be a better man - Bur
roughs not excited then.
Mrs Roof testified that she had known the prisoner
and say I'l kill you witness tod that the pris-
oner wanted money from his wife and her refusal 10
give IL 10 him led 70 the troublc she len him ON ac-
count OF his drinking three times altogether; on tho
Tuesday night before the murder witness present
In Mrs Burroughs ROOM when the prisoner won't down
upon his knees his wife and asked her return and
live with him. Burroughs that occasion said to the
witness, Didn't the BIblc say that man should
everything and ceavo 10 his wife ~ 10 whcn witness
replied, Yes; but he hadn't left anything, not
the rum bottle
John Y. Jarvis whe boarded with the prisoner and
deceased testified that Burroughs said TO his wife
that he would get his little billy club and beat her
brains out " she didn't get up and hx his supper.
Eliza Jane Slater testified that the prisoner kind
70 ms wife when he was sober, but that when he was
IN liquor he was very abusive 20 her; heard him say
once he would 'cut her throat before mOrning;" no
said " she bought clothing instead OF vicuals he would
XIII her saw him throw stool al her once; a
member OF the Eighteenth street Methodist Episcopal
chuYch he was once arrested complaint OF deceased
for drunkenness; he had threatened that 'hc would
mash her brains out"
Arthur j. Hesney pawnbroker, testified that on
November 10 Burroughs entered his shop and bought
pistol for which he paid 81; the pistol shown witness
by the Dstrct Attorney the that he sold
the prisoner tue latter Said he was troubled Nth cats
and wanted something TO XII them; Burrourhs alter
putting the pistol In his pocket stood by ihe stove
talking Tor an hour aud half about how some women
W0uid save money and then others get twice the