New-York tribune., 1877-11-13
SHOOTING HIS CHILDREN.

A PORTER LIVING ~ CHEYsTIE-sT. SHOOTS HIs
THREE CHILDREN AND THEN ATTEMPTS SUICIDE
ONE OF THE CHILDREN DEAD. THE OTHERS
SERIOUSLY INJURED THE FATHER FATALLY
WOUNDED.
Five pistol shots, in rapid succession, start
led the inmates Of No. 10 Chrysfiet about
o'clock last night, and them hurrying to the
/ rooms Of Henry Hansmanu, the third floor OF tho
tenement. At the door they were met by Hlnsmapn's
eldest boy, John, nine years. who rushed n 10 the
hall, with blood gushing from his left side while he cried
loudly for help. On the door of small bed room omen.
ing from the hall, lay the husband and father rncoa-
/ scious with two shot wounds IN his left breast
while his right hand grasped large seven
/ barreled revolver His clothing and the
carpet under him stained with blood Beside him
lay his little daughter Martha aged years dead with
bullet In her heart. while his youngest child, Adam,
four years old. lay the bed groanng with blood aow.
n- from shot wound IN hi. left side. Mrs. Hansmann
was pacing the floor and wringing her hands She
evidently intoxicated. She only able 10 point 70
the PROSTATE body her husband and say. He did
all Then she wrung her hands and weps nl she
taken from the ROOM
The boy John was alone able 10 gi7e the police any
account Of the tragedy and while his wounds were being
examined, he told his story. Ills father he said, had
come home from his work in the evening and found 70
supper ready while his mother too drunk prepare
any. The boy sent out for wine, and all the
family partook Of IL. while his father and mother had
long quarrel in which lis father threatened 70
shoot himself and the children. Soon after 5
o'clock, john sent out again for some
beer and he had just entered the bedroom on his return
when he his father standing in the room with the
revolver. He the fash OF weapon and knew that
he hurt H turned and trIed to open the door
escape He heard other shots, but did look behind
him until he got into :he halL
The rooms occupied by the Hansmann family are AZ
the OF the third story Of the No 70
Chrystc-st. Two small bedrooms communicate by a
l. % hill.
where the tragedy occurred leads to large rear room
used az the Family living and dnin groom. Hansmann
has been employed fcr several, years a porter 40
No 1913 Broadway He has been known as n harl-yorz-
ing and peaceable German, who earned A COM
Portable support Tor his family. Hi. vife Isabella,
has not borne good reputation iH tho pTighborhood
She neglected her household duties and frequently be-
came much ntox.rated that she unable Co take
care Of herself Her husband demonstrated vita her In
and at times threatened shoot himself dii
not reform. IL will nOt touch you,' he would .ay but
viii AI,l myself and take the children with me-"
Alter eldest had been for the beer Hans
mann took his revolver from his pocket and paced up
ant down the door, declaring that he would put end
to his troubles. He then INTO the bedroom whore
bis youngest child asleep watched little boy
lying IN he ned. As John VITA the pitcher
Of beerthe father advanced TO meet Lm and fired Then
he turned to tie bed and Arcd another shot at tho
sleeping child. Ms. Hansmlpn. who was I'm tie al
joining room. seized her little daughter in hcr
arms aud toward the door OF the bedroom.
! She met at the door by her husband and
without be aimed at the breast Of the girl and
fired The chld fell door dead rs Mrs. Hansmann
throw up hcr hands @ beg Tor her own e Her appeal
Useless her husband had intention Of hurting
her He cooly placed the revolver against his breast.
over his heart, and fred Two shots before ne fell
The police OF the Tenth Precinct summoned ambu-
lance rom the Chambers street Hospital and had Hans
mann and his two carried away. The body OF the
ltte girl laid upon sle bed. The face placid,
smiling look, q II the little child were asleep Ms
Hansmann led away from the room, ani ~ soon
she had regained her cJmposurc she allowed TO 20
to the Hospital to attend hsr husband and sons.
THH wiFE's STORY.
Mrs Han,mann gave the following account of the
affair % house-surseon Dr5ssy at the hospital: Her
husband had been qlarroils with .her for several
months account Of some money which her father, who
died in Europe, had LETT her and Hansmann wanted 10
have transferred HIM She would not sgre TO ths AMI
evening she bought pulley line. for which she paid
thirty lie looked upon this purchase an act
prevent trouble she says sot down the SOFA, aud
remliued there until his disappearance into tho
bedroom was followed By quick drmg Of shots. She
fn ~, and a tlss fbe children avay with him Her ap-
f''l Of anor which she bad about her id not ieud
strength 10 her story. Hlnsmann told the doctor
that she was such a drankard tiat she unft
who accompanied him confirmed this assertion.
HANsMANNs ANTEAORrEM STATEMENT.
Coroner Woltmln took the antemortem statement OF
Hans naa after ~. iuiSht Il vas ls follows:
have no hope for mercy aad am willing
to make true statement OF the eatse oI NY
wears. 1 lived happily for the ursC uye, ult Tor
the last six years have lived miserable c on account
that in se dd not reform would take my own hfe Tor
c,uld no. live IN tins told her 50 on saturday
ami sunday promised each uuic T. DO Detier blJ
she grew worse every duV.
In nome at o'clock Monday morning 10 90 10 my
york AT No 1913 Broadway. where have been porter
for six years / went home 10 dinner ~ Il O'Clock.
Nv wife had been drinking told her % uAc the w1-l
ont which had lying in the water for TWO weeks
Nnt inc else pa,s,d between left % 20 WORK
intozicltiou, lying lounge. No Ire, and no sup
/ per Tie cuflrcn had been neglected then re-
solved to TAX. the lives OF my children ana ny sei'
FOR was tired Of her actions and duln-- aId dN not
want 10 leave my children behind wrote letter 10
my uncle Henry Hdnsmann, Of No. 3OJ D.NO 81,
I Erooklyu f. d. telling hIm OF my intention. and teinS
him that by the time the letter reached MIN Moul
br dead aud also the children. mailed the lcltrf ana
returned lone went down stairs took two slsses o.
Rhine vtne took some beer up 10 my cllieh ana s5J
down % have something 70 eat. NY We &c
I gan 10 quarrel. The children went 20 Del,
The Oldest boy In the r'Om the olheis were h tIc
Attaining room. / took revolver from nay pOcGet,
where had placed 10 before mailed the l|Ler, ana
coolv and ca miy shot Inn nrst. then went INTO hs
other room and shot thc youuso- cAdrei 14t-r WHICH
shot myself t"lce
HIS statement closed with request that it might oe
made known that he driven u the step 0y the con
duct OF his wife
The wound OF the eldest child John, foanj % be
IN the lungs aud was considered very serlOus; tie
/ Youngest chids INJURY was similar. The fa,hcr's
! wouft j. both IN the breast, are considered fatal
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