The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-31
A BLOODY TRAGEDY.

BENJAMIN PATERsoN's JEALOUSY AND HIS
vENaEANCE-PRoBABLE MURDEE-HE SHOOTS
HIS WIFE AND PETER NIXON AND CUTS HIS
OWN THRoAT-A BCENE OF HORROR.
FLKMISGroS, N. j., May 80, 1873.
One OF tho most bloody at the time delib-
crimes perpetrated in this State took
this morning about two O'Clock upon the summit Of
the Soweriand Mountain, eight miles from here.
The region which It occurred Is noteworthy
For years has boon the lowest kind OF people,
Comm nism itself could wish for greater license
than In INDUCED In In that black aud wild region
Peter Nixon. a colored man. aged d6out forty, has
been living low, one story house, back from the
road leading from Worthwhile to Stoulsburg. So closely
Is It surrounded by trees that the travel
Ter along tho the road can scarcely perceive
IT. About fvo years ago Nixon's wife left
him and went 10 Princeton where she has since re-
sided. After his wifo's departure Peter took in
housekeepcr for himself aud boy a daughter Of
named Benjamin Peterson who resides 10 Pennsyiva-
MIA, New Hope The ncighbors say that Nixon
and Peersons daughter sustained the relation OF hus-
band and WHO, although never formally married.
MAD JEALOUSY.
Pctersons wife, Elizabeth, has been In tho habit Of
paying visits to her daughter, and about three weeks
ago size came 10 Nixon's for that purpose.
Peterson had for long time suspected that his wife
was treating him NJ she should, and he was led
to believe that Nixon, among others, was
the cause OF II. Fired with jealousy ane
rage he last evening. about SIX O'CLOCK,
lett his homo in Pen ylvania with gup. which he
borrowed from a neighbor, and started for New
Jersey He walked until two O'Clock this morning,
whom he reached Nixon's housc, on ths mountain.
Sh,l. Esab.sh Peterson and her daughter w.ro 10
ono Of the Two rooms down stairs Tho dogs began
bowling as Peterson approached and awoko
she snmatss. Psssrsen trying 10 Disguise ns voice,
called 10 nixon. Nixon asked who was thsre to
which Peterson replied, 'Come down and Sec."
Nxon took lamp and camo TO she door, As he
opened il Peterson discharges the contents Of his
gun full In Nixons face IL struck hts skull tho
went back stop or two anu then fell, waliowing In
pool Of blood.
Mrs. Peterson and her daughter were thoroughly
alarmed at the report OF the gun, and blowing out
the lamp, which stood ~ on tho table, tried TO hide
The laughter nrst went behind the door, ,hen under
tho bed and lnaiy jumped out Of tho back window
tho around, . distance OF some SIX feet,
distant about two hundred yards. After Peterson
shot Nixon no went In quest Of his wife. Shc had
crawled between the two mattresses on tho bed and
cniled 10 her TO come out She at first re-
fused, but when no threatened her and said
he would kill her sho came from Tho
bed begged him not to shoot He lot leave
the house and then seized her, threw hor down and
Tho shot only grnzed her scalp, SO he attempted TO
hold her on the ground while he reloaded ms weapon.
u
OF hair and drops OF blood wcrc scattered around
Peterson was unable to maintain his hold while no
put another charge Ia the gun, and Elizabeth,
Ing, over 10 Aaron Prices Peterson then walked
on Tow yards. lard the gun on a rock and cut bis
throat with penknife laying open the windpipe for
there I'LL daylight
Al soon Elizabeth and her daughter reached
Prices ana awakened tho family persons sartoa out
anu the neiRhborbood was quickly aroused A doctor
was summoned. but NO ono arrived until half
past seven A. n. Dr. Merriam came nrst
ana he was followed lito later By Dr.
Robbins. They found all tho victims alive
but Nixon In so critical condition that
no could not long survive. Peterson had pretty thor
ouahiy severed his windpipe. lilo may live, but this
is doubtful Mrs. Peterson will probably recover
Tho HERALD reporter reached tho spot about ono
O'Clock Peterson aud his vile were conscious, and
aole converse a little The daughter narrated
the story as already given
THE MuRpERER's PURPOSE.
Peterson SAID ho had Two drinks on the way over.
having bought a hall pint Of whekey at Now Hope
when he started. Hc said no intended to Kill jun
nia after he had finished mp Nixon and Elizabeth He
wrote long letter tho 18Th oil this month, which
hc stated his grievances aud asked God TO render
judgment where It was NODDED. lie said he had
formed the purpose several weeks ago, and was only
waiting good chance 10 carry u out. he lying IN
Prics's house. on the floor, and Elizabeth Is on tho
bed. Her face Is badly burned with tho powder, but
she docs not seem TO DO seriously injured. Nixon
presents a. CHASTITY spectacle, his skull being
open and his brains exposed to Wow. The walls OF
anu HAIR There Is the most intense excitement Ia
the ncighborhood. The Justice OF the Peace
excited that he lid not know enough TO summon an
oGlcci, but started for this place 10 get counsel
Nixon will In all proba bi,y do during tho night