The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-06-10
SUSPICION OF WIFE MURDER
the ARREST or JESSE billings, JR.,
or FORT MILLER BRIDGE
A strong Chain or CIrcumstnutIai Evidence
styled by the Prisoner n Conspirncy-The
Daughters Accusntion, and her Emotion.

A strong Chain OF CIrcumstnntini Evidence
styled by the Prisoner n Conspirncy-Thc
Daughters Accusntion, and her Emotion.
BALLsroN Juno s.-Jcsso Billings, Jr., OF
Fort Miller Bridge. Saratoga county, who is ac-
cu-rd Of shooting his wife. was lodged in the
Jail in this village last evening He is 81 years
Of age. He married daughter Of the late
John Harris. and they had only one child,
daughter, Jennie. now IL years OF age.
Mrs. Billings WIS born in 1892. Her mar
ricd life was not happy. One eourco OF
trouble was $4,000 that Mrs Billings re-
ccivcd from her fathers estate; another
source. accusations Of marital unfaithfulncss
that she made against her husband. Recently
Mr. Billings rented room in the second story
of the building that he used IA bank to Weller
Curtis. who occasionally worked for him. and
Mrs. Billings suspected her husband Of an Inn
proper intimacy with Curts's wife. Emma.
pretty and sprightly woman. Mrs. Curtis had
begun n suit against Mrs. Billings. charging
SANDER.
Such unhappincss disturbed the family that
Jennie. the daughter. said that her father had
not only frequently threatened TO kill her
mother. hut had actually attempted 10 kill her.
There had been no intimacy or friendly rela-
tons between the mcinbers Of the family for
some years. who. although living under tho
same root. rarely. II ever, spokcwiih each other
Billings is a very wealthy and influential man.
has been engaged in many enterprises, chiefly
boat building and the property that he controls
has been estimated ut S2OO,OOO. He Is very
irnscihe.
Late on Tuesday afternoon last. Billings went
out on his farm back ON the hill 10 salt his
shecp and cattle. where ncighhor says he saw
him at about O'Clock. At about 2 O'Clock he
was Mt the house OF Justice George Washburnc.
u fourth Of a mile from Billings homo. Bill
iness clothing was all wet and muddy. qi
though he had fallen several times. He said
that he had been trying 10 nail up some parts
Of fence that had been blown down. Soon after
ward Justice Washburnc arrived and said to
-" You'd better go down, to Mr.. Billings,
| for his wife hns been fcarluy hurt
Billings who was in AN adjoining room.
stepped 10 the door and asked: What has hap
pencd, did YOU say
| wife has been shot"
Mrs. billings. her daughter Jennie. and n
hired gir had been sitting at about "a o'clock
in south room of her house; Mrs. Billings
| sat within three feet ~ one of the windows. II
was closed and the blinds were shut. but tho
stats were open. Her daughter sat near table
| ON the oppur-t" sid" W the room. and the maid
servant was .tll further back In the room. A
! shot was fired from the shruhhcry 50 close 10
| the window that ON the shutters and tho win
! dow frame stains of powder were left. Mrs.
| Il lings was instantly killed.
Isaac Mu-lnurnr got into Blling-'s buggy
| with him. and they rode without speaking to
/ Is lllngs. house. Arrived there. Billings rush
ed lnio the room. spread out his arms. and cry
| INK CUT: On dearl what does tins mean z sank
! 10 the floor.
I"nn'e billings. his daughter. answered him
! You are my faith +. ami you arr the man who
| dd tlis deed: This is the third time you have
/ tried ~ 30 it,
| On Wednesday Coroner Cow impanolled n
! jury from among Biiliugs's neiehhors. nearly
/ all Of them either his employees or dependent
upon hun fora livelihood. Billings seemed un-
Concerned. When IL wns suggested 20 him "a
! oiI'r reward. he replied What shall | on r
reward for. To have the officers put up Job
An Old carbine was, missed from tho
place whore it had hung II, has
since been found in an old unused vel.
have identified II rs Billings's An empty
cariridgc Shell wos Sun in T. b9.reL and the
| Footsteps were found leading across a newly
! pl1ughr, garden to the spot whore the shot was
/ hrod. They wpre from the field in which Bill
| b. IS was seen. They cores pond eXnctly to the
boots worn 10y him. Tracks were discovered
made 10y a horse and buggy leading from there
! go the spot where Billings horse was hitched
| IL front Of Justice Washhurne's house.
During the inquest. Biil ings talked freely II
n's lhiniiy uuu'1' iiiu sAiu 'ila. NJ VIII, :
| murder was due 10 her personal cnemles. lie
| expressed no remorsr at her death. but re-
GREETED the circumstances. admitting that all
! things seemed % point toward him as the guilty
| pers 'u. hUi asserting his innocence.
III in--. VIA" WAS arrested before the Cyro-
n'rs Jury returned their verdict. seemed ~
| lo-r 400. the nerve ihut hc mad before cNhibit.,
/ GiNlu-s away entirely.
| Wh,uthc sun was di~ oycrod In tho well ho
snld Co. several persons nchr: 'G'nt,rmt u. tL Is
| i- conspiracy aA.ii net me-. hui shall dice hari
| Iley are conn cling circumstances. link Boy
.
| nos lravc link out. But tie halter Is NOT
| around my neck yet. and | shall make a bad
| fight before | jet them uut 10 There He lost
| the air with WDi.h he made tAgt speech and
| WIS uluch depressed.
| Before he vs. taken from For Miller. Billings
| wished to have an interview with his daugh r.
| This Wa granted ann. an the scene was dis
| ir'Ssiu tl" daughter lulutluG when her father
! WIS led from Tue room. While billings Wu-
| with his daughter John c. II lrr.- a brother OF
| the murdered Nl-. BIlliu-~. tried t1olt"r thr
room, and a'"hm" very N,uI tut BECAUSE the OIL
cer~ would not permit hlu 90 do ~. lie WAS
/ ltHly married. and. with his bride, was ia New
! urk when Er Haw an account 81 the tra cody
! among the dispatches in IhG sun lie fastened
] home.
When Billings was led out ~ the house ne
! passed The door pi tine ropU IN winch his de III
/ wife lay H. EXPRESSED nu desire o. look 10 thn
| eprp-e hut siondy went forth. His ugr
/ Ether "a physician is To take charge Of his
| affairs. and the prisoner WIS allowed some mo-
! tiuns and show him til combination of the safe.
| He also gave directions To- bis boat builders and
! other Wnrkmen how t. 10 ON with their duties
! during his absence. Aiter h" had been placod
in th" wagon aui had started. he turned back n
moment. and bursting into tears. cried out.
"Goui-hy. old homo.
A. the officers and their prisoner arrived In
Saratoga. they werc met 10y "a rabble. who
! Shouted rs the wagon passed Lynch him
Lynch him" But 10 violence was actually at
tempted.
Tie prisoner arrived In this village ut .
O'Clock lg~i evening aud WAS at once placed in
solitary cgulin"ment.