The New York herald., 1878-03-07
SEEKING DEATH TOGETHER.

MAN AND WOMAN ALLOW THEMSELVES TO
BE STRUCK By AN EXPRESS TRAIN-FATAL
CONSEQUENCES THEIR MOTIVES UNKNOWN.
From the Boston Herald, March 81
most shocking affair, which Is supposed by some
TO have been OF deliberate suicide, occurred on
the Boston and Lowell Railroad, at East Cambr ridge,
yesterday morning, the victims being husband and
wife, Mr. aud Mrs. Josiah Wheeler. residents of this
city, shortly alter nine O'Clock they passed up the
track above tho station. and had reached the bridge
where the road the Fitchburg road, when tho
bal-past eight A. NJ. express train from Lowell
IN sight The engineer, '>i" HeustIs, discerned the
couple approaching and blew the whistle, but they
paid attention. although apparently looking straight
at the tram. The engineer wnisticd again and again.
but tho couple continued to advance. Tho engineer
and brakemen did everything IN thor power to stop
tho tram but without success. and the engine struck
the couple just AS they stepped on tho bridge Tho
was thrown about six feet into the AIR and
the trcsllc work, falling to tho tracks OF the
Ftchburg road beneath, Instance OF some twenty
feet lie killed instantly and his body and head
wero shockiney mangicd. Tho woman thrown
across the outward track and upward against tho
icncc Her left leg which probably got caught In The
trestio work OF tho bridge, was broken In several
places, and her nose was crushed and her skull rac-
turcd AS soon as the tram was stopped the body OF
the man was placed In the baggage car ana the woman
was taken into passenger car, and everything posi-
bic was oonc to bring her TO CONSCIOUSNESS by the
conductor of tho train, Mr. Lewis TapIin. Before
reacning the city she revived sufficiently to cxclam,
"My poor husbaud.r Shc said her name was Ancc
Wheeler aud that sno lived Mcrrimac street. I'm
mcdiatciy alter thus sue again became UNCONSCIOUS.
Upon tho arrival OF the tram this city the body Oi
tho man was taken TO the Morgue by officers OF sta
ton ., while tho woman taken to the Massachu-
scts General Hospital where she had her leg ampu-
tatcd Sbo lived but short time dying shortly be-
fore noon Medical Examiner Hildrclb of Cambridge,
was nothed, aud at about he viewed the body OF
the man.
Elects found tho persons OF the deceased did not
establish their denty 10 certainty, but iuvcstiga-
lions last evening brought out the following focis.--
The unfortunate couple have resided ior the past
week at No. ~ Mcrrimac street, this city. Mr.
Ledger, proprietor OF the place, says tue couple
boarded with him several weeks last fall, and hat
last Monday they came back and remained III their
room, working at their business, which the manu-.
featuring oI rustic furniture, untl yesterday morning.
lie saws ho knows little about personal history of
either party. beyond the TACT ihnt Wheeler was
twenty.tbree years OF age ana was native of this
city having been born as he (Wbecier) told him. on
Fort Hin lie says that Wheeler Often spoke vi an
auut OF hts (whom hc described as beng VOL on
residing on Dover street, but never gave her name.
The woman was about twenty-five ycars OF age, but
being carcworn would be koiy 10 pass as ton moro