Daily Los Angeles herald., 1883-02-27
A FRIcHTFul MURDER.
In Moment of Passion a vito Re-
veals bloody Murd err Commit
ted by Her Husband Maggie
O'Brien the Victim Mcdowell
the Murderer What is Known OF
the Crime-The Parties.

O'Brien the Victim Mcdowell
the Murderer What is Known o.
the Crime-The Parties.
This community was thrilled will
horror yesterday by the news Of the
shocking murder Of woman, which
came to light yesterday at San Bernar
dino. All the parties concerned had
resided and were known in this city. Il
seems that Mrs. Mcdowell, the wife o.
William Mcdowell, formerly Of this
city, ard who was for q time in the EN-
ploy Of Mr.. Geo. Butler. of the Fashion
Stables, went before the authorities and
revealed the preparation of the murder
by her husband Of woman named Mag.
gle O'Brien. The woman Mcdowell
told the authorities that they would find
the body of Mrs. O'Brien in swamp
near Riverside. A party was organized
and proceeded to the spot indicated
where they found the body of Maggie
O'Brien, in an advanced stage Of ecom-
position, with the skull horribly
crushed as though violently struck with
heavy rock. William Mcdowell, the
alleged murderer, was Immediately ar
rested. The father of the murdered
woman. whose name is McCurdy. was
telegraphed for to come to San Bernard
inn, where the coroner's inquest was to
be held. Nothing definite could lie
learned Of the circumstances of the das-
tardly deed, except that Mcdowell and
his wife and Mrs. OBrien drove out from
San Bernardino in a wagon some three
weeks since; that Mcdowell and his
wife returned, but that Mrs. 0'Brien
was never seen again until her mangled
corpse was revealed to the Mortified gaze
of the discovering party yesterday.
Such is all that is known up to this
time of the affair.
The history of all the parties con-
cerned in this mysterious tragedy is well
known in this city. The man Mellow
ell was, as stated above, employed as
driver by Mr.. George Butler, but was
on account of certain ugly
things which leaked out about him. He
bore an ugly character and was believed
to lave been concerned in sob" which
was planned to rob his employers safe,
but which was never consummated.
Mcdowell had long known Maggie
when both were residents Of
this city. Their acquaintance ripened
into affection, and the two were engaged
to be married. The engagement, how
ever, was broken off and the girl mar
ried man named O'Brien; the man, a
woman by the name of Nellie Koarney, of
whom the present crime recalls an un-
savory recollection of her introduction
10 the public in this county. Nellie
kearney with her sister stole five horses
belonging to her father, and the
TWO fled with their booty from |
San Luis 0bispo, where they were
living, to this city, where they were
captured and the property recovered.
No prosecution followed. but the woman
Nellie remained in the city leading wild
md reckless life. Mcdowell met her
md presumably married her (many say
hat no marriage had ever taken place.
The two lived miserable, unhappy
life and it is said quarreled frequently
md violeatly- Some six weeks ago
hey went to San 'Bernardino to live.
By fatal chance Maggie 0'Brien, too,
vent to the same place; it is said, by
ONE, for the purpose of reioining her
from whom she had been sepa-
ated. Here ends all the information
hat could possibly be Cleaned of the
ragic crime. Rumors were rife on the
treets that threats of lynching We're be-
ny freely circulated in San Bernardino,
tut nothing could be learned that war;
anted crediting these reports. How or
rhy the woman WINS murdered is not
.nown although few days will, no
oubt. bring forth all the facts connect
d with the fiendish act. The general
umor was that Mcdowell had not given
Up his attachment for Maggie O'Brien
nd had tried to persuade her to live
nth him. which she refused to do and
hat in a fit of desperation he killed her;
hat his wife was witness to the MUIR
Ter but had remained silent through fear
or her life if she betrayed the bloody
ecret. tits believed that she revealed
he crime in a fit Of fury and passion.
Zone of the parties to the horrible act
fere above twenty-five years of age.