The New York herald., 1879-10-03
FATAL FAMILY FEUD.
SHOCKING TRAGEDY AT WEST ORANGE, N. j.
raUssIAN TRIES TO MURDER HIS FATHER

SHOCKING TRAGEDY AT WEST ORANGE, N. j.
paUssIAN TRIES TO MURDER HIS FATHER
IN-LAw AND THEN SHOOTS HIMSELF DEAD.
West Orange nestles picturesquely at the base OF
the Orange Mountain and just beyond Orange
proper. On Wednesday evening 1t was the scene OF
a shocking tragedy. Anthony Kunick. Prussian
by birth. but for thirty years resident OF this
country. attempted to murder his father-inlaw. Mr.
Thomas o. Woodruff. formerly member OF the
Essex County Board of Freenoders. aud then. be-
leving that he had accomplished his pur-
pose. put his revolver to his own head
and shot himself dead. The tragedy was the
climax Of quarrel between the two men over some
real estate transactions. The facts obtained from
Mr. Woodruff and others. appear to be as follows:-
Anthony Kunick was about fifty years Of age. In
1850 he to this country. having ed his native
land is said in consequence of being involved in
the Baden revolution OF 4S and the troubles III the
neighborhood year later. He settled in Newark
and started boot and shoe business. He prospered
and soon wooed and won for his wife Miss Eliza
Ann Woodruff. ex-Freehoider woo1ruus aaugnter.
This was twenty-five years ago. Five years since
Kunick became possessed OF desire to 30 farming.
He and his fatherinlaw looked into the matter and
went through New Jersey and the adjoining States
prospecting. Finally they fixed upon a farm OF
seventy-two acres in Charlotte county. Va. which
Kunick purchased.
VIRGINIA
In April, 1874. MIR. Kunick moved with his family
to his new home. He now had daughter Just bud
In 1877 Mrs. Kunick died. Her husband and her
father had had money transactions. The two dis
agreed. and aftor tho death OF Mrs. Kunick an
estrangement took place between them.
house owned by Mrs. Kunick. which passed to
by Mr.. Woodruff. About it he and Kunick quar-
relied. On Monday Kunick arrived from Virginia
and visited Newark. and then West Orange. whsre he
Mr.. Horace Carter Of Woodside. aud tried to
get from him loan of $500 on the Newark
property. Mr.. Carter declined without consult
ing Mr.. Woodruff. with whom he Is asso-
ciateo in some kusiness matters On Wednesday
the two gentemen consulted, and the result was
that the loan asked by Kunick refused. He was
present at the interview and returned to Newark
with his father-in-law. He looked downcast and
detected. The pair separated near the Morris and
Essex depot. Mr.. Woodruff going homo and kuuick
going in another direction.
About four o'clock Mr.. Woodruff got home. Soon
after Kunck appeared. and the old sore WIS opened
told he could never have the deed Of the Newark
property. "Ill burn it first. said Kunick you'll
% & e two cents for tn sso no to ss
COWS. to bring them home to be MIXED. Just
as Mr.. Woodruff had got in front of his
house Kunick stepped forward and demanded a loan
of 500 to dcfray his expenses back to Virginia. "I
haven't got It," said the old man. Then you can
borrow it," said Kunck. Hot words followed. and
ut last Kunick drew revolver from his pocket and
blazed away at his father-in-law. The first shot
shot was fired and the ball lodged in Mr.. Woodrufs
skull He gave shriek and threw up his hands
Kunick next placed his pistol to his own head and
dead instantly. Ex-County Physician Dodd lives
near by and promptly atteuded Mr.. Woodruff whose
wound. happily. proved to be mere scalp wound
Kunick's body removed to little
shop in the rear OF the house. There 1t
received by County Physician Hewlett yester-
day, and subsequently removed to Briant n
Woodruff's morgue III Newark. there to await direc-
tons from deceaseds daughter in Virginia. who was
telegraphed to-. AS the facts PLAIN inquest
will be held The pistol used was n small Smith Il
Wesson. AL tho chambers wore empty but one. A
box OF cartridges aud dollar bill were found in
Kunick's pockets.