National Republican., 1876-07-08
An old MAN MURDERED BY HIS WIFE
DETAILSOF THE HORRIBLE ACT
STORIES TOLD AT THE INQUEST
THE MURDERESS STILL AT LARGE

1t was thought that after the crimes, accidents
and disasters that occurred on Tuesday last the
city for short while in the future would be free
from any desperate deeds, and that good order
would prevail throughout the District. W hile this
has been so generally, still tragedy mas come to
Light so terrible in its execution as TO cause the
community to shudder and sicken at the knoWl-
edge that a human being supposed to possess the
habits, feelings and instincts given to mankind,
could indulge in those OF the fend, brute or saw
age Indeed it is doubtful if either of the latter
would, in their wild, ungovernable passion, ever
enter so far into a bloody, barbaric encounter.
When 1t is stated that the
AUTHOR OF THIS SHOCKING MURDER
IS woman, the peaceful citizen may well hesi-
tate to believe the truth of the assertion that
will subsequently be made. or if giving credence
10 it, be excused for classifying the perpetrator of
the crime as maniac, or as being devoid OF
those finer feelings said to be planted in the hu-
man breast.
While the city of New York can probably re-
count more capital crimes in the same space of
time than any other on the habitable globe, and
many of them will bear the stamp Of bordering
on heathenism, it will be difficult to hnd COM
paniUn of the deed that has just transpired here.
The carving up of the body of fellow workman
and prOfessed friend by Andrew Fusehe, in
Gotham, not long since, excited the indignation
of the pOpulace, and caused it to turn away with
nauseOus sensations at hearing the recital CT the
disgusting details of the homicide. But when
compared to the present murder, as to circum-
stance and family relations of the parties con-
nected Herewith,
THE ENoRMITY OF THE oFFESsE
and Nervousness of the crime pales, and seems an
ordinary killing to the present affair."
At No 6l6 Second street northwest, a few doors
from street, stands unpretendng two-story
showing the need Of attention from both the ma
son and the painter. 1t is hemmed in from the
yaT Pg nE bH
of land runs along by the side of the dwelling and
affords sufficient room for passage way to the
rear of the premises, where there is 'one-story
shed and little out-building, evidently used for
a shoemakers shop. Back Of this shed is an area
or space probably i've feet wide and Of the same
length as the wooden structure. In the south
west corner is ash heap some six feet deep, and
which would make, perhaps little more than one ne
this space contained
QUANTITY OF STICKS AND TRASH,
and one mackerel barrel filled with water.
window looked out from this shed into the little
back yard, and the entrance to il was from the
side passage. On these premises lived three col
ored families-up stairs George Washington
Mr. Rose, who was not home at the time of the
Occurrenoe6f the deed, but his room was occupied
by a colored woman named Fannia Kennedy, en-
gagged in. work at the sewing-machine; in the
shed or back building, which was separated from
the room of Mr.. Rose by thin partition; lived
two children Susan and Charlotte. The former
was upwards of seventy years old slightly lames
and whitewasher by occupation. His wife was
q coal black woman, short and dumpy, with re-
pulsive features and thirty-eight years of age.
The two daughters were aged nine and thirteen
in this room, the dimensions Of which are about
5by feet, for little more than month past, and
iQ that brief time have treated their neghbors to
SEVERAL DOMESTIC BATTLES,
in which the Quarreling was strong, but n"ver
extended to blows The other occupants of the
house, being orderly people, did not appreciate
to express their disapproval Of them, at the same
time being cautious not to fntrude either their
presence or opinion on the discordant household;
Still, In a small conclave, the matter was conned
over, and the prophecy made that one of the dis
putes would some day result in something more
serious than mere war of words. How fully and
terribly that prediction has been verified will
soon be shown. Last Wednesday, shortly after
II O'Clock, Mr. and Mrs. Turpin were heard en-
them few hot and fast. At that time Fannie
Kennedy was operating on the sewing machine in
but not the Words that passed between them. 4
few minutes before o'clock Miss Kennedy heard
heavy fall on the floor, followed by
STRONG AND TERRIBLE GRoANs.
Che dropped her sewing and rushed to the door,
thinking some injury had been done and would
extend her assistance, and at thei threshold
was the matter. She replied that Mr.. Turpin
wes sick in one of his drunken fits, but would be
better soon: Miss Kennedy made an attempt to
saying that she did not want any one in there or
assistance at that time By her conuuct and man
ner Of speaking Mrs Kennedy was led to think
that she had been drinking, knowing that both
husband and wife were victims to that curse, and
frequently yielded TO its influence, which was
generally the foundation of their differences and
Misunderstanding.
After this interview Miss Kennedy returned to
her work, and all became quiet in the Turpin
apartment. Not long afterwards Mrs Turpn
went out into the city, and did not return until
dark, when she was staggering under a.
THE EXPECTS OF EXCESSIVE DRINK.
-f44lkE was made as to the condition of her hus-
band, and she stated that he had dressed himself
and gone to Virginia, expecting to be absent for
several days. She remained in the house the
balance OF the night, and next morning looked
wan and worn out and complained Of feeling
sleepy. She was about her portion Of the prem
time to assist neighbOr in moving, and being so
accommodating as to bring few goods to her
home TO keep for her until they were needed.
While at leisure she manifested a disposition Of
ttdyness, and expressing herself In the house
eieanlng IN nunOr r ProceeGed 70 ttt Thteo%asn tne
considered uncommon strange by the other ten
ants, but they congratulated themselves on the
cleanly spirit that had fallen on Mrs. Turpin.
She retired that night about 10 o'clock, and
yesterday morning Miss Kennedy, rising about S
hnd Mrs Turpfn up and had her breakfast
Shortly afterwards she went from home. leaving
word with her children that she had days
do it. That same Thursday evening, about
twilight, Willie Berry, bright-lOoking boy and
nephew Of Mr.. ThOmpson's, came over to see his
relatives; fond Of exploits the boy climbed out
the secOnd-stor window on the roof of the Turpin
domain and went down to the edge. Espying the
ash heap he resolved to Jump into it. and instantly
did So AS his bare feet came in contact with the
ashes, something yielded beneath them like
moving flesh, which frightened him somewhat,
and he was
NOT SLOW TO LEAVE THE SPOT.
He had intended to Immediately acQuaint his
aunt with the circumstances. but the Democratic
fion and he went there without saying anything
about IT. When he awoke yesterday morning It
came back to him with all its force, and dressing
himself, he hastened to the house, up stairs and
rotated to his Aunt Leddy Thompson what had
frsnspired. She remarked that she thought
impaired that belief to Mrs Rawlings After a
brief conversation with her husband he decided to
go and make examination OF the ash pile.
until he pulled out a human arm or leg. when he
stopped: At this time the stencil from the pile
was sickening and powerful. not only drawing
swarms Of blue flies but forcing the man TO yacate
the place.
boy was Immediately dispatched to the
Kelly and Oficers Mafigan and Davis responded.
They oyerhauled the ash heap and secured
THE TRUNK, ARMS, LEGS AND HEAD OF A
CoLoRED MAN,
all separate from each other The boy in jump
ing had alighted on the abdomen of the body,
bursting the stomach. from which was emitted
the foul stencil. In the barrel was found the
limbs placed therein. Later in the day they
were removed to the statiOn-hOnse to await the
S66 St the . py By the side Of xbns the
there were blOtches Of dried blood. hatchet
and two shOemaker's knives were found inside.
They had been placed in the fire and the temper
destroyed, evidently for the purpose of hiding
traces or the crime. The room Of the Turpins
was In fearful disorder, but amidst It all the
walls had o fresh, pure smell and showed the
fact Of having been recently white-washed, prob
ably to hide
THE BLOOD STAINS.
The inmates of the house were put under sur
reillance as witnesses, and the eldest daughter,
Susan, on being questioned said that she went
into the room on Wednesday afternoon and found
her father lying dead upon the floor. She asked
her mother about it. and she replied that she cut
his throat with a knife. Both Of the children
were out yesterday with the officers trying to
find their mother, but did not SUCCEED
Coroner d. G. Patterson was imn edateIy notf-
fed of the fact and responded with Dr J. French
Hartigan, who proceeded 20 make an aatopsy 1t
was found that the man had received severe
blow across the forehead, frscturtng the SKULL,
and 1t is believed that this was the first strOSe
given him. While PROSTATE and groaning from
the effects Of this blow, it is thought that the
wife the hardened wretch, did, as she told her
child, cut his throat. After death, to conceal
the evidences of her guilt, she had to dispose Of
the body, and, to be successful she hacked 1t up
and nutfIated in the manner in which 1t was