The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-08-07
CHINE IN VERMONT.

A NAN MURDERS HIS WIFE AND ONE OF HIS
CHILDREN AND THIN COMMITS SUICIDE.
from tho Boston Globe, August 81
WEST RANDOLPH, W., August ., ISIS
This usually quiet community was thrown INTO
terrible Excitement carly this morning by the news
that Mike wiun who lives this village, had MUIR
dcred his wife and children The iacts are as iol.
lows About four O'Clock, soon AFTER he got up
aud partially dressed himself and took his revolver
and shot his sleeping child, babe OF ton months, and
then shot his WIFE, The report Of the nrst shot
awakened her, but before she could move or realize
what taking place she second shot was fired. tho
ball taking effect In Eor left side just below the nrst
rib HIS eldest child, boy OF about eleven years,
hearing tho noise. hastily Creased and camo down
stars, when his father tried 10 kill him, but no
escaped and gave the alarm. Tho murderer then loft
tho house and started for the hills, following tho
fence beside for about forty rods, then
crossing the river and making for tho Railroad which
lie followed Tor somo rods, until pear the railroad
bridge, when be lott u aud ma IN the bushes. lmme
diatcly upon tho alarm being gwen Mr. Avery Fits
aud Mr.. Carlos Pratt FASTENED with tho boy 10 tho
house, but not binding tic murderer they sent Tor
medical and and gave a general alarm search was At
commenced and the murderer tracked TO tho
saw that his parsuers were close upon him he shot
himself aud was found dead. Ho was q man OF
wcignt about one hundred ana nifty pounds, about
orty- nvo years old and Of irish parsntsgc He has
been called pcaccabo man ana was not vi a quarrel
some disposition. HIS wife about twenty EIGHT
Years DID, ana they mad been married about twelve
years. They had iour chidrer--tno boy above re-
Icrrcd TO and three girls younger Tbey mover had a
word OF trouble, anu tho only remark that would load
one TO think that no contemplated TINS horrible
murder was made thrce days ago wnen he said, 'lie
wished that they we're all out Of their misery" He
has boon brooding over some busincss trouble for
somo lime, and evidently planned tho murder Of his
whole family. lie purchased the lot of land ON which
his house stands last spring. and erected tno house
and barn. Tho house Ia a small cottngc containing
rooms with chambers overhead.
some three weeks ago he wus taken sick with
slow ievor and Dr. Stewart prescribed Tor him. but no
refused TO take medicine or 70 keep his bed Ne APP
peared ~ be very nervous end kept rowing around.
For the past Tow days no has appeared much better
fhe last two days he has been around hero IN the
village. Yesterday he purchased tho revolver with
which he shot his wife aud enild, OF Henry WIrss
He seemed perfectly rational all the time and said no
wanted pistol TO Kill some sources that were eat
ing his corn and buttcrnuts Ia his barn. He was
shown two-ono good colts and u choap seven-shot
revolver, twenty two caIibro. After good desl Of
bantorng about the price no finally took the cheap
revolver ana box OF cartridges Ito has never had
o revolver or any kind Of gun before. lie moth
Ing TO his wife about mis- buying tho pistol but seemed
very quiet and we'll last nignt NO cause except IN
sanity can be assigned. AZ last accounts his vile was
still alive, but the ball has been recovered, and
thcrc " no hope or her recovery The ehiid win
probably 1--we.