The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-15
MURDER AND SUICIDE
A HUSBAND SHOOTS HIS WIFE AND THEN KILLS
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A HUSBAND SHOOTS HIS WIFE AND THEN KILLS
HIMSELF IN GREENpoNT.
Grecnpoint thrilled with horror yesterday even
Ing by the rapidly circulated rumor that murder had
been pepetrated and that the murderer had then CON-
mited suicide The tale grew by repetition until the
excitement for time fully cqualcd that OF the finding
Of simmons head but the lack OF mystery in the lat
ter case led TO Its quick subsistence. II remains how
ever, the staple subject Of conversation with the
crowds at tho street corners and on the sidewalks
The facts ioliows:-
Michael Downey. carpenter by trade aged Gfty
years, but who has been working OF late cotton
sampler. the cosey little cottage No 2oa Greene
street. In which no has resided with his wife Sarah,
aged thirty years. and three children, George,
lged seventeen years, Mary, aged nine years, and
sarah, aged six years with the exception Of occa-
sonal quarrels when Michael had been drinking the
family lived very happily together until within few
months, when the frequency OF the quarrels IN
creased with MichAeps habits OF drinking. Yesterday
the children went on the picnic OF ST. Anthony's
Roman Catholic church, marching in procession with
their classmates Michael saw them and IL incenscd him
that going home he abused his wife for allowing
lhcm to do IT, threatening TO shoot both her and him
,clf Mrs Downey becoming Indignant left the house
Ind remained at the residence OF u neighbor named
William 0'Rourkc for three hours In the meantime
oowney had obtained some more liquor and was hall
razed When his wife returned at half-past four r.
u. Lie met her at the front door and began abusing
Aer calling her common drunkard, accusing her
more excited as he proceeded, he pushed her OF the
'front.' stoop TO the sidewalk and jumped AFTER her When
she recovered her footing she turned toward him.
1t the same instant he drew pistol from his pocket
and fred at her the ball piercing her neck under the
left jaw, and, passing ill., lodged IN the SPINE
She fell AT once to the sidewalk, Mr. O'Rourke and
others rushing to her assistance her husband up
the soop and into the house. securing The front door
behind him.
officer Tcnicrc responded Immediately TO the alarm
that was rnised, MS did Ohcer McKiop and they were
on tho spot minute two after the unfortunate
woman was shot and just in time TO hear another
pistol report from within the house They then forced
an entrance and AS tho ncighbors conveyed the in
lured woman in they proceeded in their search for
Downey, whom they found dead on n bed III the back
room up stairs no having shot himself through the
heart with the same weapon he had used on his wife,
He had placed the pst la single barrel brecch-
loadcrso close to his breast when he trd that the
powder scorched his shirt Doctors Wheeler and
had responded 10 the calls for which had been
made during the few moments tho search and removal
occupied, and devoted their attention to the injured
woman, whom they pronounced seriously hurt, though
The wound was not necessarily fatal Everything that
rould be done Tor her done by tho noehoors who
will render assistance long as II Is necessary. The
scene the return OF the children narrowing
one the tragedy overwhelming Them with grief, though
for the ske Of their mother they restrained excessive
demonstrations in her presence. Coroner Nolan
notified Of Downeys death, and will commence the in
quest to-day.