The New York herald., 1879-10-01
SHOCKING TRAGEDY.
A Butcher Shot by a Jeal-
Gus Husband.
SUICIDE OF THE wOULD-BE MURDERER
The Two Pistol Shots that Startled Wis.,
tors to Clinton Market


between twelve and o'clock yesterday shot
butcher named Henry Won Gerichten in the neck
md afterwsrd shot himself the right temple the
Aall passing through the brain. John Sheehan died
half-psst four o'clock yesterday afternoon. IN st.
Vincent's Hospital The cause OF the attempted
murder and suicide was jealousy. Sheehan. VINO
has been in the employ of MIR. John Hay. OF No. $50
Hudson street. for the past six years. and who
has always been regarded by his employer
and his fellow workmen as steady, sober
man. and a first class tradesman. quiet and
inoffensive. left the shop about noon yesterday.
ostensibly to go to his dinner and he WIS expected
Of course to return about He did proceed to
his residence which is at No. IS Carmine street. sec
ond floor, and after finishing what appeared to his
wife to be hearty meal. said in IN ordin-
ary tone to her. "Put your clothes.
I want You to walk down Hudson street.
She did directed. and they walked together
down Hudson street to Spring street and through
Spring street till they arrived nearly opposite the
market. Hero Mrs. Sheehan broke away from her
husband and refused to 90 any further. He then
crossed the street and went into the
market through of the side entrances
on Spring street. few moments afterward
two pistol shots heard in quick succession,
and Mrs. Sheehan running out of a
taurant near by. moment or two later John
Sheehan came rushing across the street. and on
reaching the centre seen to put pistol to the
right side Of his head and fall forward his face
Mrs. Sheehan. who standing on tho sidewalk.
then threw herself upon the body OF her
husband and with wild cry wrenched
the pistol from his hand. too late, however, for It
had already its work. The scene in and around
the market at this time Of the greatest ex-
citement and confusion. and both men well
known friends crowded around from all sides.
Henry Won Gerichten lay bleeding beside
the centre of the Spring street thoroughfare. John
Sheehan was removed by the police to tho Eighth
precinct station house and Henry Won Gerchten was
taken by his friends to the house of Dr. S. G. Cook.
No Is Charlton street. where his wounds were
dressed and whence he proceeded to his home at No
80 Christopher street. large crowd followed the
truck containing John Sheehan to the station house.
among them his wife and several men who had
worked in the shop with him that morning.
CAUSE THE TRAGEDY.
On arriving at the station house Captain McDon-
to st. Vncents Hospital, in West Eleventh street,
that being the nearest point. He was unconscious
ward. Mrs. Sheehan seemed very much excited. but
displayed very little emotion. She was taken into
the Captains room. placed on comfortable chair
snd politely desired to make her statement. She
cited the facts almost detailed above. and then
when questioned as to her knowledge Of Won
persuasion. however. she admitted that her hus-
band jealous OF the butcher. and 1t
with % Intimacy ssy' With nim This charge sse
stoutly denied to her husband at the time
only cause she sad that he could have for jealousy
was that, about three years ago, she went in the
afternoon to Iockaway on the boat with Mr.. Won
Gerichten and seven months ago her husband was
informed of this excursion by q, lady whom
she used to consider . bosom friend of
Mcdonnell with tho idea that she did not get
off the boat till it arrived back in New York. Since
been very suspicious had acted strangely at times
and altogether different from his won't In telling
what little she did to Captain Mcdonnell. she ap-
peared comparatively calm. and endeavored evidently
to say little possible. The story OF the shoot
% ths u bvstnders 0 was that Il was ABOUT Ssf.nast
twelve when tall dark complexioned man was seen
coming through one OF tho side entrances to the
aisle which the retail butcher stands placed.
He strode rapidly forward. and seemed nervous
and excited. On reaching Won Gerichten's stand
he stopped. The latter was cutting some meat for
customer and was facing the stand. His back
toward the man, who stood about two feet to the
right Of him.
As Won Gerlchten was about turning around the
man raised pistol nrsd. ana the Dali entered nus
The crowd of butchers who standing around
then rushed forward but this man waved the
pistol around him and kept the crowd at bay. He
nred another shot which entered the meat block,
and then ran into the street. where he shot him
minute or two" said one Of the bystand-
rs. 'and sooner had gone forward to
raise mp poor Won Gerichtcn than heard the shot
outside 'In fact" said Mr.. Hawkins. whose stand
Is very near that Of tho wounded man. "when first
heard the shot thou2 Int 1t or those nro
crackers that the boys sometimes put under chap
when he goes asleep
'-Did you see tho shooting. Mr. HswkinsG" asked
II did not see the first shot fred. but I saw the
man afterward with tho pistol in his hand. and saw
There are three brothers OF the Won Gerichten
family in Clinton Market. and all Of them are
tSs ons who %ss shU
declared declare to be quiet man; OF domestic
efad Vvrth tha af arpor bope tn hnvo
seen Mrs Sheehan before they saw her leaning over
her husbands body. Henry Won Gerichten is about
ninety pounds. and physically is hne specimen Of
man. He resides with his wife and family at No.
ceeded yesterday afternoon and on inquiring for
Mr.. Won Gerichten he was distinctly told three
door that not only did no such person as Mr.. Won
Gerichten reside in the house, but that sne had
ever ssssS Sreniy and nfored the reportsr
that he lived on the second floor. This being
veyed to the lady she still persisted in her first
been two three people here to-day looking tho
same man. don't know what the matter Is. I"
"Have you not heard OF man being shot in
Clinton Market and Of his being brought In here7r
persisted the reporter.
mo. sir. tell you IL is all mistake. have |
not heard of any shooting, and NO wounded man
has been brought in here"
MRS. sHEEHAN REFUSES TO MAKE A STATEMENT.
Failing in his efforts to gain access to Mrs. Won |
aerichten the reporter next visited Mrs. Sheehan.
He found her without difficulty at her resi-
reporter politely. but after having stated |
hrs mission. no met with the reply that |
she hnd no statement to make Sho was much coolor
than when in the station house and said that |
II would be time enough to make statements when |
IL was necessary for the present. she preferred to
say nothing at all. Mis-. Sheehxn reminded that
a was better to correct wrong Impressions at rst
but she still persisted in maintaining strict silence
as to the cause OF the trouble She further reminded
the reporter that she was momentarily expecting |
news from the hospital. and that was all sho was
thinking about Mt the time.
Whom asked how long she was married she replied.
II don't think that is Of any consequence to any |
one."
She pointed to her husbands picture, which hung |
against the wall, and said 1t good likeness OF
him. A halt finished portrait Of an old gentleman
was standing ut the other side Of the room, which
the reporter was subsequently informed was that |
Of the deceased's father, and which he was at |
work on Monday night.
Mrs. Sheehan e q lady apparently about forty-hyc |
years OF age. She Is quite stout and weighs prob
ably in the neighborhood of ls0 pounds. She has q
full round face. black. bright eye. and somewhat
pleasing expression of countcnance In Mr.
John W. HAYS paint shop in Hudson