New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-10
4 STOCKING DOMESTIC TRAGEDY

A DESERTED WIFE AT BOSTON BECOMES INSANE
AND ATTEMPTS To MURDER HER FOUR GILL
DREN AND KILL HERSELF.
BOsTON May "a terrible act occurred at an
early hour this morning at No. Warrenton-pace,
a sort of passagcway leading from Warrenton-sr.,
where an insane mother conceived the idea of TAX
ing the lives Of her four children TO prevent their
starving as she feared. The woman, Mary KONG, is
a German and is spoken OF as an industrious and
frugal wife. She had recently been deserted by her
husband, who has been paying attentions to an
other woman Kong is SAID to have regularly con
tributed money toward the support of his children.
Mrs. Konigs troubles worked upon her mind to
such an extent that her finally gave
way. and only one thought seemed to
control her, which was that by killing
her children and herself all her troubles would be
ended. The children Emil seventeen years
old Mary thirteen; Alfred, ten, and August five.
all Of whom were bright of intelligent, and the
eldest three of whom would soon have been able to
support their mother in comfort. Mrs. Kong, who
isforty-sx years of age, occupied the third
floor of what is known as the WarrentOn Block.
Aiming herself with u table-lnite and
a pocket-knifo, she entered the room where
the children were sleeping. at o'clock this
morning. and began her deadly work. Her first
victim was her little son August. whose throat sac
cut from ear TO ear. IL IS LOT supposed that nc
made any cutlery. ~ the other children would have
been awakened by 1t, and she might have been pre-
vented from proceeding further under ner INSANE
deluhOn. She next turned her attention TO her
daughter Mary, whose throat she cut in three
places but the wounds, though dangerous, VIII not
probably result fatally The girl succeeded IN es1
Gaping and ran screaming out of the apartment ana
across the hallway into rooms occupied by otheT
persons The screams of the girl were supplemented
by the shrieSs of Mrs. kOnir, and the widest ex-
element prevailed IN the vicinity. but none or the
ncighbOrs dared to enter the rooms 70 discover
what was in progress. In she mean ime Mrs hong
bad stabbed Alfred in dozen places III the lcti
arm, and had then encountered Lmll, who resisted
her assault quite successfully, aihongh ne fecei'eu
wounds on his loft arm o. the elbow.
The children having run from the
for help Mrs. KONG was alone until the
arrival OF the officers who found her SIT
ting on the floor IN pool OF DlooI.
She had cut IA severe cash in her lett leg below no
knee, aud bad made unsuccessful attempts 10 open
the arteries Of both wrists, from the wounds IN
which the blood flowed freely she appeared
very composed and expressed herself as quite
satisfied with the job, which she thought
was thoroughly done. The officers took her to
tho Fourth Police Station, where her wounds were
dressed, and she aferward taken TO the loInbs
and placed in "A padded cell Tho wounds OF the
children were also attended 10 aud no serious
results. are apprehendcd. KONG E a llthO-
grapher and is employed in Boston. At
$50 o'clock this afternoon Mrs KONG was
placed III the dock OF The Municipal Court to