New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-03

Mrs James O'Connor, the wife of work
ngmap in Jersey City, killed her three little
BOYS yesterday morning, by cutting their
ihroats with razor She has been ill re-
.ently and it is believed that she was insane
when she committed the deed. farmer
named Louis Schmidt, Of Amityvllle, J.. l..
was shot and killed on Wednesday evening
His body was thrown into well and his
house was then set on fire. No clew TO the
criminals has been obtained.
AN INSANE MOTHERS TERRIBLE ACI.
CUTTING The THRoATs OF THREE LITTLE Bnfs-
A FATHER AWAKENED BY TIE GRoASs OF his
DYING CHu.D-COMMITTING The MOTHER TO
PRISON.
Three children were killed in Jersey City yester-
lay Morning by their mother, Mrs. Mary OConnor
who Is the wife OF James OCoanor. poor laborer
living ~ am old wooden tenement-house at No. AZ
Water-ave, Jersey City Heights. The woman is
thrty-seven years OF age, aud the mother of five
cmldren-all boys. She has been Ill for several
months with malaria fever and in her respondent
moods she frequently expressed desire 10 end her
suffering by taking her own life.
At 3 a. M yesterday Mr.. OConuor, who was
sleeping on a mattress the floor, was awakened
by cry from one of his children In the adjoining
room. He sprang up and as he entered the room
whence the cry came his foot shipped on
wet spot lie lighted a match and
dreadful sight presented itself DaVio
and Francis were lying the bed with their
threats cut from ear to ear Near the door was the
Youngest boy, baby, with u gaping wound in the
neck The blood from his throat had run across
the floor and caused the father to slip when he en-
tered the roOm In one corner the wife was crouch
ing with razor dripping with blood, in her hand
O'Connor ran out into the street shouting. Muir
der! Pocel For Gods sake give me help"
Patrolman Harms, of the Fourth Police Precinct.
heard his cries and fastened to the house. Some OF
the nelghbOTs also awakened by the noise, ana
the rooms of the unfortunate family were soon
flied with a crowd of people. The officer took Mrs
O'Connor into custody and sent messengers 10 sum-
mon Captain McKag and Coroner Ruemher. Mrs.
OConnor acted strangely, and sat rocking
hack and forth on the floor. The bed
on which lay the bodies Of the two boys was satu-
rated with blood which slowly dropped to the
floor beneath. Patrolman Harms took Mrs.
OCoDnor 10 the police station of the Fourth Pre-
cinct Captain McKaig made an examination OF
the rooms and furniture. Under the mattfess OF
the bed used during the night by Mrs. OConnor
and tle baby be found a butcher knife with long
dull blade.
When the report of the triple murder spread
throughout Jersey City it caused much excitement
yesterday, and hundreds Of persons gathered about
the house, which was guarded by special police Off
GERS. A reporter Of The TRIBUNE was allowed to
enter the apartments occupied by UCOunor and his
family They in the rear, on the second iloor or
the house. The two rooms were devoid OF carpets
and contained but little furniture. In the front
room the three murdered children we're lying slde
by side IN little collins. The cuts in the Threats
had been covered, and the faces We're pale, DIT
showed no marks OF agony. Inc walls and some Of
the chairs were spattered with blood, ana bloody
traced
THE FATHERS STORY
The father of the murdered children was walking
40 and down in the rear room. He made the fol-
lowing statement:
a. was awakened early this morning by a sort of
groan and went into the Darkroom and struck
light ! saw my wife in the corner with bloody
razor in her hand, and on the floor the body Of
the baby lying in n. large pool Of blood. On
the bed | saw tho felcss bodies of two other chill
dren stiff in death. ran ont and called for help:
The razor Was kept in a chest, which was licked
cannot give any reason WY nv WE should
BEEN been married twelve years She has been
sick with chronic dyspepsia and malarh flyer,
first discovered the bodies OF my poor children
thought some one had come in to murder the whole
Subsequently, Mr.. O'Connor stated that his wife
bad quarreiled with him on Thursday night, but
when she showed anger be stopped taking 90 her
EXAMNATIoN OF MRS. O'CoNNoR.
station at balfpast o'clock yesterday morning and
found Mrs O'Connor lying lounge in the pri-
vate Office of Captain McKag. She is of medium
height but much emacatod. her face pale.
hit she exhibited considerable self-possessiOn Her
bands were covered with blood. and her
dress was also spattered with it, To the questions
of the County Physician SHE gave answers with
much difficulty. When asked where her children
were she said: go
"Thcy are dead killed them with the razor
People used to call them little devils but now they
have gone to Heaven"
and she had 10 money with which
TO get it medicine and food. The woman
was allowed 10 wash her hands. and was then taken
in a coach to Police Hesdquarters and arraigued be
fore Justice Peloubet, i'll the First District Police
Court She tosered when led into t1e courtroom
and was supported by eX-Street Commssioner
Whellhan and Patrick Whelihan her two brothers.
In answer 10 the usual questions she gave her name
you are accused Of killing your three children"
said the Justice. after telling Mrs. O'Connor that
size conld refuse TO answer any questions which
would tend to crminate herself.
"Yes | killed them" she answered quietly. look
ing straight into the face Of the Justice; three OF
them. am guiltyS
Where was your hushandp
fie aud ,he children were asleep"
What did YOU kill them fort Were they not
good children ~
" They we're very good children do not e know
In answer to other questions Mrs. O'Connor said
abe had not been very well. Il was pretty well
out of my head sometimes" she continued :. and
was not able to take care of the children but
ONLY thought of killing them Just at the time did
H. first killed the baby. IL made no noise. Then
killed the second oldest and he made no noise
The oldest one made noise and my husband came
into The room and then ran downs airs"
The woman added that she had placed the
butcher knife under the mattress of her bed. She
intended to kill her children with it, but IL not
sbarp enough so she took the razor " il the razor
had failed would have used the knife" she re-
marked.
At the conclusion Of the examination Justice
Peloubet committed Mrs. O'Conuor to the County
Jail to await the action Of the next Grand Jury.
She DISPLAYED DO emotion whatever during the time
81. ,xas In the conrt ROOM and gave her answers In