The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-08-05
THE cHRIsropHER TRAGEDY.



DrTIoN or THE wrrE-FuRrHsR PARrIcU-
LARS OF THE TERRIBLE AFFAIR.
John chrisiophsr. who shot his wife and then him.
SELL Last Saturday night. d,sd before reaching the
Chambers strssG Rsspisai. HIS wifi lies In critical
condition and may die At my moment Christopher
was born In Amt Hagen, Hanover, aud came
10 this couasry ia his youth. He became grocer
and married Miss Reinhard, By whom he had Two
children. After the latsr's death he married again
woman about twenty years younger than himself
The youngest child by the former marriage was then
sent to live with them. Ths wife sstranged The
fathers affections from his child and by her sxtravs-
gance, It is alleged, caused him to all in
business Then she left him and went to No. lO7
Allen street. whore, is also claimed, she pretended
TO be q widow. Here Christopher frequently visited
This she would do He drank hard, and frequently
quarrelied with her during his Waits. II was IN ono
Of these quarreis that he killed her.
Mr. Christopher was well known among the grocers
and hotel Keepers generally. Several years ago he
Kept grocery In Jackson street, where he sue
eeeded very well. His FIRST wife died ten years
ago Both his children were then taken
care Of by his sister-in-law, Mrs. Trope,
and her brother, John Reinhsrd, Of No. o6 ,honres
street The eldest boy. about twenty years old,
Was sent BACK 10 bis father at tho time OF
second marriage. Soon after that lime Christopbsr
purchased motel IN Brooxyn OPPOSITE sno n
hoursning business. The relatives Of the nrss
vile did not like the second marriage. Some reports
regarding the second vile, who had besn married BE-
fore it is said, please them. was contrary
10 lher advice the second marriage took place
toward tho young child sent TO their care.
At tho age Of fourteen she caused her nus-
whence be was a,erwsrd transferred 70 another in
stiiution near Fort Washington. Christopher, pc
sides running bis hotel Kept potato and psSd s"
ceeded very wall. but be entrusted the care OF his
money his better hall, who it s nov alleged spont
soon forced bankruptcy by these proceedings IL
Is said that ut the time Of the tragedy Mr. Christie
70 him md that She was ABOUT 10 apply Tor divorce
II probable that he kuowng her intentions desired
10 frustrate them 10 most ensotual manner by kil-
ing her.
Mra Christopher was suot 10 the lett elbow, neck
end breast, the latter wound 10 considered fatal,
Nrs. Hesscnbtlel, OF Hackenssck Juuctien, N - one
OF relatives teiegraphed Tor yesterday, but up
to late hour last night had not arrived.
Mrs Christopher too III 70 be intervtewsd last
night, but the story Of tho causes which led 10 the
Mrs HaSoisky, wife Of the proprietor sl cigar store
underneath the tenement where Mrs. Christopher
n o Sitting a. nep own door N ,o Aon rs.
aud held frequsnt conversations with Mrs. Habosky
At that place During some OF these Mrs. christopher
told the history OF her liie She was married TO this
man, she said, bur, on account OF mis- drunkenpess,
she was forced leave him. She to 1.-Two ct that
widow. thinking that he would DO unable TO End
her. But by some means he discovered her where
S mIs sso2s
he could 90 her serious injury. Since then she re-
ceved information that he intended 10 Kill her. This
she learned from some o nor frieDds TO whom he told
IT, She has been very careful 70 avoid him since.
After the assault he called her several times and
Expressed his sorrow 81 having abused her and never
nude any threats TO her directly.
THE TERRIBLE DEED
about and Lid been seem waking no ana down the
opposite her residence. About halipast eleven
she went TO bakery on the opposite siss OF
parensly watching her, for when she entered she
bakers shop he concealed himself In the hallway
he met her IN the hallway and shot her The cigar
store still open. and she screaming into IT.
falling upon the door from exhaustion and loss Of
blood. AS soon she had left hallway Christie
pher put the pistol 10 his mouth and discouraged t.
me tenants were ano noSaec aSoIs ne
10 Tentn precinct STATION house and ambuasce
tor She begged the police not 20 send her 20
the hospital In the same ambulance With Chris opher,
but they finally prevailed upon her 70 CO. Christopher
died while on the way. Mrs. Christopher -
woman Of some means and bore = fair reputation.
rng PArIEST's CONDITION.
Deputy Coroner Miller yesterday visited Chambers
and oussssonns nsr Is TO the manner 10 which she
received her injuries, retired without ukiny
the ante mtr!en statement House Surgeon
that she reported to him that the sh0fs were not
fired at the door, bat as she came from closet TO
the surgeon she stated thar her husband was drunk
when he made the attack. The hospital stan yesser
day examined her wounds and found that bsil had
nsS ss ua one .ss
while the third entered the lett side Of the
neck far that probe failed to locate II Fearing
that IN present condition her life would b sndsn
gercd by attempt to extract the bullets, which
OF heavy cabre, the Idea Tor tns present was aban-
crossing vorably but ne cannot stage Of her
condiuon venture guess" AS 10 whether or not she