New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-03-19
LOCAL MISCELLANY.

THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY MURDER.
MINERAL. SERVICES OF MRS. LEGGETT YESTERDAY
THERON MgRRITTs ACTIONS BEFORE THE
TRAGEDY.
The funeral of Mrs. Ann Eliza Leggett,
who was murdered by Theron Merritt. last Thursday
was held at residence, in tue Fourth Ward OF fOn-
kcrs yesterday morning large number OF the
friends of the family assembled, with many neigh
bors and others attracted by sympathy for the family
Among those present Jacob T. Merritt father anu
Roland Merritt brother Of Theron Merritt, aud also
Roand's wife. The officiating clergymen were the Rev.
Andrus NJ Ives rector Of ST. Johns Episcopal Church.
Tuckahoe assisted by the Rev Lym Cobb r OF fon-
AT the request of the family the services were very
simple; there sermon or exhortaton The BODY
was buried in WOODLAND Cemetery, in the plot where
the dead woman's husband inferred. At the close
the service at the house Mr. Ives invited those pres
to pass around the coffin and view the remahs Inc
body lay in handsome coffin. the left side, as II IN
condition Of natural repose this arrangement obviously
having been made 20 hide the Disagreement made by the
ball that had penetrated the left The hora decora
tiOns we're cross and harp. The silver plate Oh the
coffin lid bore the following inscription: " Ann Eliza
Leggett born January is, 1882 died March Ia, 1878
OF Theron Merritt, his fatheru-law. Judge Burnell
says he told Therons wife, year ago. that Theron
was deranged at times and since then members OF tho
family have sometimes talked Of putting him IN an asy
luIn. Therons father says that his sou acted very
strangely on morning of las. Thursday His mother
said to him that morning You don't seem to have
anything particular to do; suppose you dig up my
hower-bed for me-" He replied ~ think had better
dig nv grave" Mrs Merritt asked: Where would you
dig it lie answered 81 would dig 1t on tie side OF
the HILL where Ilgo. the beautiful colt was buried one
ay last Fall said him. leaving home 70 go
TO NewYork Theron, don't do aIv hing rash Whiie 4
be at home When do" sunday week ago and last
TUESDAY, 1t observed that he acted strangely On
all right when he returned. Or Thursday morning he
Very restless frequently going outdoors aud return
as lie carrying bis hat time putting on his
best and the next an old hat His absence at the time
noticed When he came back home he met bis children
near the house pated each on the head or hrs
are you going. papa'" mot far" he said Then he
through the han into the paror then shot himself
la 1874 Theron Merritt entered into an enterprise
were to keep a Summer boarding house. A dispute
10 division OF proceeds but AL anlcaoie sstse
cation Mr. Merritt father of Theron and his fahern
law Judge Burnel, in saying, arose out of an
expenditure of about $4,000 which tho Government
claimed lie was authorized to make but The difficulty
was adjusted and settled in satisfactory manner
Samuel Leggett the husband OF the murdered woman
was for long time successful merchant in this city,
lie was friend of General Dix and at one time Port
Warden OF New-York About twenty years ago he be-
came interested in young inventor namsd Ihomas q;
sSans nd aided m in pssIsis taxing S int
terest the patents for the money advanced.
s as9a SSS out Which Sad Securely and easily
operated without aid OF screwdrycr firm was started
article into general sloaue visited Europe to dis
pose of the OF this invention abroad and Legget
controlled the business IN America In a few years
they amassed ample fortune and built two elegant
residences adjoining, at Thrtieth-st and Lexington
tuous manner, and were connected by arch
ways the principal floors About
twenty years ago, Sloane also invented an
apparatus for he ltng dwellings and other buildings
by STEAM and failed put II into general use Oh ac-
count OF the fear of the public Of explosions To prove
the safety OF this method Of heating then entirely new
on apparatus erected in the LsxingtOuave houses
occupied by Sloane and Lcggeit. By this. and similar
ventures In subsequent years Mr Legget lost large
amount OF money and he removed 10 Workers. sti
tanning his partnership relations with Mr. Sloane MI.
Sloane is now in Europe business connected with
GONE the patents, in which Mrs. LeGgett inter
ested she having succeeded to the business o. hex late
hiInll uhlIi in fhns N 1.AIa