New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-09-25
A CLERGYM4Y SHOT BY lis EIEE.

A MELANCHoLY TRAGEDY AT THE VILLAGE or
STAFFORD. GONNA HAPPY FAMILY BROKEN
Up BY A TEMPORARY FIT OF INSANITY.
DRDGEPoRT, Conn.,, Sept. PA shocking
tragedy occurred tue quiet village stratford this
morning. The Rev. David L. Lounsbury, rector Of
Christ Church. shot by his wife nc lay asleep and
instantly killed.
corOner'sJury was summoned. and assembled at 8
o'clock H.
Mary Cummings. n servant who has lived IN the fam
fly weeks. testified that the relations Of the hu
band and wife exceptionally pleasant She knew
Mrs Lounsbury 10 be al invalid. Mrs. Lounsbury had
told the witness the previous night that Mr. Lounsbury
desired her have operation performed, but she had
refused and had asked he could make ner. when he
replied. II you don't Will put yon out" rho witness
heard about $3.50 O'clock She went TO the door
and met Mrs. LouusbuIy, who said, al have killed my
husband"
Annie May, bright girl Of eleven years, tho only
child OF the deceased awakened by the noise Of
revolver she down stairs and shook her father
then dressed and went for physician HermOther had
been more III than usual tho previous evening.
Dr. A. 3 Allen testified that he reached the house, and
sati. fed himself that Mr.. Lounsbury dead. He
prubed wound. aud ascerthned that the BAH had
tered the base OF tho brain, two inches below the
occpital prOuberanco and inch 20 the left OF the
medical line. passing obliquely upward. lie had at
tended Mrs. Lounsbury professionally. Ills last visit
The foreman OF the jury asked Dr. Allen whether Mrs.
Louusbury's disease such would produce tenn
porary INSANITY Before a reply could be made on mo
the clerk OF the jury reporters were excluded
and not admitted during the remainder OI the
physcians examination or At visit they paid ~ MIS-
LouusDury. who was In room above.
The pistol WAS cheap thiTty-twO" revolver. From
lady rond Of the family and member OF the parish 10
was learned that Mrs. Lounsbury purchased the re-
vOlvcr in New-avcn ear ago ON account OF unldity
consequent upon attempted robbery VI the house.
She had cOrcoaled the knowledge OF ITS purchase from
husband. she IL lady or very fI habit, ana sub
iect to rust OF blood head Sne remembers hav-
lug an attack OF that kind last night. The deceased
arose ind got her drink OF water, after which she
remembers nothing until the deco done she Is a
sufferer also from NJ uralgia.
Mr. LOunsbury nearly thrtysi years OF age, and
wa. graduate Of Trinity College. He first practcod
medicine and became acquainted with his wife by being
called To treat professionally They have been 10
Gated "a Strstford and half, durins which
time the rector made friends. His wife not being
receiving callers rs almost stranger 70
the emb~rs of the parish. she Is very much prosraed
by this affair. and declines To converse, not know ug
what to say There said have been insanity IN her
family. There to be little ground for doubt that
the deed WAS done during NJ OF temporary insanity,
caused by bodily disease ana excitement incident 10 u
proposed operation. 10 which she objected
Tie following was the verdict OF the jury: The de-
ceased his death by pistol shot In the hands OF
his WIFE the act being committed during CONDITION
of temporary derangcmcnt of mind. occGsOned by
a