The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-03-16

Sensational Tragedy In n New York
Suburb-A Rich widow Shot by n
Drunken NeighbOr, Who Kills
ExtlnasIf.

HfmstH.
NEW YORK, March l4.-Mrs. Arn
Eliza Leggett, rich widow, who lived
in her handsome country house in Tuck
ahoe, was shot and instantly killed, in
the presence OF one of her own daughters,
in her own hall, by Theron Merritt, q
naighbor, 81 about 3 o'clock this after.
noon. After shooting Mrs. Leggett,
Merritt hurried to his own house, and
shot himself through the heart.
OF course rumor Is busy. Mrs. Leg
gett was q ne.looking woman, forty five
years of age, and moved in the best
society of the vicinity, which is largely
composed of well-to-do New Workers.
Merritt was man of about forty, living
with his wife and family short distance
down the road. He was related by mar
rlage to Mrs. Leggett, and was on terms
OF intimate friendship with her. 1t is
said that correspondence had passed be-
tween them, Of which the daughter OBJ
tanned knowledge, and that the latter hsd
objected to Merritts coming to the house.
This morning Merritt had been drink
ing. He went to Mrs. Leggett's house
and the daughters refused to admit him
In the afternoon he weutagain, and was
again refused admission. One OF the
daughters ran TO his house to obtain the
assistance of his family In getting him
away. At this time Merritt was 10 the
vestibule, and Mrs. Leggett was holding
the glass door shut to keep. him out. He
drew his pistol and fired, shooting her
through the right eye. She fell dead
at her daughters side. Merritt then
walked out and called to the coschman,
"You had better get doctor; l have
shot Mrs. Leggett." He then went to
his own house, about quarter of a
mile away. There he found Mrs. Leg
gets other daughter, and SAID to her:
There is no cause for alarm. have
snot your mother" He went to his well,
got drink of water, and said to mis-
mother, 81 have killed Mrs. Leggett."
He then placed the pistol to his own
heart, fred and dropped dead at his
mothers feet.
Mrs. Leggett's friends speak OF her In
the highest terms as an estimable lady
dUONc ItpIOhCu, "uO was sihB Ply oH'-Sg ~
by the unwelcome and persistent stten-
tiops OF Merritt. But the village gossips,
whose name Is legion, say that Merritt
had no visible means of support, and was
supplied from Mrs. Leggetts plentiful
purse, and that he was discreet enough
when sober, but when drunk was apt to
say things that were very offensive TO
Mrs. Leggett's children. This, it Is as
serted, is the reason why the daughters
wished him to keep away, and besought
their mother to break off her acquaintance
with him.
OF course Mr.. Leggetts suicide In his
own barn is recalled. The gosslps say
that that he was jealous of his wife, lay in
in wait to shoot an anwelcome guest, and
and failing to find him, either shot him
self or was shot. Some Of the villagers
,ay that Leggett was found tightly
wrapped IN a buffalo robe, his hand
holding the pistol close to bis side. Mrs.
Leggett's friends Indignantly deny this
story, and say that Mr.. Leggett
committed suicide. Both
families agree in attributing to.
days shooting to insane deluslons, arising
from dissipation.