The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-06-15

Many of our citizens were startled as vel
as deeply shocked last Tuesday evening upon
telegram being received from Pittsburgh
that W. C. Murphy had shot and killed hi:
divorced wife, who was married ferthe thirt
time some three weeks ago to a druggis
named Newton McClarran, of that city, and
that after firing bulie. into her body la
placed the muzzle of the revolver to hi.
head and shot himself twice, with fata
effect The following is the story Of tn,
tragedy, in condensed form, as taken from
the daily papers:
Yesterday Murphy was noticed at the Tn.
ion Depot, shortly before noon he bought
a ticket to Edgewood, remarking to one OF
the Office men that he was going to pay a
friendly visit 10 his former wife.
1t was a quarter past l O'Clock when he
rang the door-bell of Mrs. McClarran's resi-
dence at Edgewood. Miss Annie Hcnder-
son, the adopted daughter of Mrs. McClar-
ran, admitted him and led the way to the
parlor. lie sent his card by the young lady
TO Mrs. McClarran, who was in her private
apartments Miss Henderson says she
showed no signs of fear when Murphy s
card was handed her, but appeared rather
annoyed. She said nothing, however, and
a few moments later passed down stairs to
greet her divorced husband in,the parlor.
or course there was no eyewitness to
what transpired in the parlor but Mrs. Nc
Clarran afterward related to Mrs. Cadman, a
neighbor, all that occurred. Upon enter
ing the room she shook hands with Muir
ply, who was sitting on the sofa. He arose
to greet her, but resumed his seat. Mrs.
McClarran sat down beside him. A quiet
conversation then ensucd between them,
principally about their former troubles.
Murphy was angry with her about the
money which he said she retained in her
possession which he had saved. lie also
said a great deal about the ife-insurance
transaction. To all his questions and other
remarks calculated to aggravate, Mrs. Nc
Clarran calmly and quietly replied. She
took the sum of twenty dollars from her
before the shooting, she having been in the
habit of giving him that much every month.
The interview lasted about fifteen or twenty
minutes, and when it finally came toan
end he got up and started for the door, sirnp-
ly saying Goodbye" But suddenly DE
stopped, and leaning on the piano, held out
one hand to her, at the same time saying,
81 wish you happiness with your new hus
band" She took his proffered hand and
thanked him. While they were shaking
hands, Murphy pulled revolver from bis
back pocket The movement was quick,
but was observed by Mrs. McClarran. who
shrank away from him and fell into large
easy-chair. Instantly he aimed at her and
fired.
The ball entered the left shoulder and
passed in downward toward the right, just
grazing the spinal column and lodging in
her back. Murphy then placed the revolver
at the back of his own head, just behind
the left ear, and fired, falling to the floor in
front of Mrs. McClarran. He raised him
self slightly, and placing the revolver to his
forehead fired again, then fell back with a
zroan. Mrs. McClarran made no outcry.l
but walked out of the room and passed up
stairs. Finding that Miss Henderson was
not there she went down TO the kitchen by
.he rear stairway in hopes of finding the
young lady in the kitchen, but she was not
here either All this time the blood was
lowing down over her dress from the bullet
aole in her shoulder and she was rapidly
osing strength, but she perseyercd in her
search for aid, and finally found Miss Hen
lerson in the yard The girl had ran away,
being frightened by the shooting, and was
now returning. Mrs. McClarTan, in Jew
words. told what had taken place, and sent
Ter over to Mrs. Cadman's for help.
While waiting for the return of the girl
he went back to the kitchen and, procur-
ng pen and paper, attempted TO writea
message TO her husband The effort was
extremely difficult and painful, every move
nent irritating the wound. But she battlcl
,ravely against her physical sufferings, and
n a short time finished the note. which she
oldcd and directed to Mr.. McClarran. II
explained that Murphy had been to The
house. shot her, and killed himself (as she
hen believed), and closed by requesting
him to come home Immediately. The paper
was bespattered by blood, which drippcd
down upon the table from her shattered
shoulder.
Murphy died the following day, from the
effects of the revolver shots discharged.
Mrs. McClarren is in fair way to recover,
and will likely be around in few days.
Mrs. McClarrcn is the daughter of Mr.. Ed
ward Kimmel one of the oldess and most
respected farmers in Brothersvalley town
ship, this county, and was Married to Mr..
VIM c. Murphy some twenty years ago
Both parties are well known to the people
If this community and other sections OF the
county.