New-York tribune., 1878-03-16

neighborhood and the city were present to end neir @
aid TO the distracted husband The Coroner visited po
undertaken came on his double mission to prepare The
dead for burial The funeral OF Theron merritt WIN
take place at p. M to-day Mrs. Lggetts buflai Is
The incentive Tor the commission of tho murder and
mystery The families and the Coroner's jury offer
other theory than alteration OF mind on the part o
word OF explanation and il is noted without leaving any
evidence Of trouble or OF motive There was natnray
joining towns. where both the murderer aud his victim
were well known There Is some gossip In the neighoo
in years. hut basis OF fact known for the
idle and malicious talk Of some people who live IN the
Samuel Leggett, the murdered woman's husband, was
found dead in his hay loft May a. 1873, wrapped It
bullet In his head Ihe matter excited nuch % 1,sc9s %
SION some doubling that he had xii ed himself But me
LED % os1 70 atSer was
$1OOOO0O Mrs. Leggett and his other daughter, Mrs
Leopold Schmidt of this city. whose husband Is the son
serves as yice-German Consul and Consul of Baden.
The Legget and the Merritt families have always been
on very intimate terms and friendship has existed Tor
several years Mrs. Leggett and Theron Merritt
The latter was married in the year preceding the Cy
board the Kansas. He invested his prizenOney 5000
with funds gwen him by his father, in hardware bust
ness In Chicago He failed III this as well as In other
business ventures and finally returned to his fathers
house to live. Financial difficulties have given him
much uneaess during the past two years. and IL Is De-
eved that his mental troubles were aggravated by sick
despondeSt a moods hreaeSed suicide q The @y State
that there were no financial transactions between MIN
Sa as as sa St Es sse sad % m Is
that she plted the Merris they In Strengthened
circumstances and she added that she had lent Theron
Mrs Leggetts coachman. Hamilton Ruth. says he does
before Thursday afternoon. The previous year he had
pad occasional friendly visits to the house. IL Is only
winn a short time that Theron Merritt gave up his
months he and MIS-. Leggett have made half dozen
visits NewYorK. being casually together, going on
the morning tram and returning the same
evening train, Mrs. Leggelt being accompanied
death both made visit to New-York Mrs LegGett
going alone They returned on the 5:05 p IN train aud
their conduct excited comment among friends on the
train. Mrs Lrgget took "A set behind acquaintance.
little in advance and occasionally ooaing in Wild way
at Mrs. Leggett He appeared excited and went
Mount Vernon Mrs Leggef excited the wonder of her
feus by gong the opposite side OF the ear and back
where there were no passengers. Then MI Merritt came
from forward aud sat seat IN front OF her, the
engaging earnest and excited conversation all the
way Tckanoe where Mrs: Lesgett lad her carriage
In waiting, and Mr.. Aerritt bis The latter took the
rens ont O the hands OF his boy, aud paused 10 et MIS-
Legget pass. As sue rode by, he made strange ges,
ture and then whipped his horse and drove last behind
her HIS actions were regarded as peculiar
rapers was found an undated letter. written by Merritt,
Which contained tne request tat his funeral b. very
sLs and la' he Rev d. Edward Lssleston be asked
Dr. Tg.l~.ion arrived at the house in the afternoon,
and remained TIL evening. IL Is obliged to 20 to
Newark to- 8. and tht VIII probably prevent his beng
present al he funeral. Theron Merritt was his mex
co0r ncighhOr iu Evansville suburb o; Chicago he
SAWS that Merritt o. a genial disposition dud Their
FRIENDLY intercourse continued when they cane 10
Ntw-N York. Merritt, three years ago t"Ok "A private
botrdug-hOusc at Lake George with rela-
tive, who accused hm OF enlightenment. Dr.
TgelestOn Thought IL case of persecution.
TINS s,clned to Prey Meuitts miUd. The following
year DE WAS superintendent or lake George hotel, and
wa successful pleasing guests. Merritt had recently
became Incapable OF discriminating etWcen ~ accaDe
mcut. troubles. / not uuul a very recent date
that he had become 4, all ntcmpeIate.