Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-09-14

Messer In the left side, glanced partially
around a rib, aud emerged from the flesh
mot more than two inches from where u
entered. Not until Miss Mary, who IL o
woman of strong will and has not once lost
consciousness despite her terrible suffer-
ines, affirmed that four shots were fred was
Mrs. Messer's other wound discovered.
This ball entered her side further back and
lower down than the other, glanced down.
ward. and entered the abdomen. Mrs.
Messer viii die. Inflammation has already
set in and her abdomen Il rapidly swelling,
showing that she cannot long survive.
while there was no especial reason Tor
keeping the tragedy quiet. 1t was not until
noon that the sleepy little town OF Boon
ton, which the Mcsser home, perched hign
on the hillside. overlooks, was aware OF
the facts. Coroner Thomas Dennis al once
empanelled iury,went to the house, heard
the dnte.m0rtem statements OF the two Ia
tally-inu red women rs far as their great
suGerings would permit them 10 talk, and,
after viewing Messer's body, brought IN
verdict that be had committed suicide
while laboriDg under temporary alteration
OF the mind.
II would seem, however. that this aber-
ration Of the mind had been permanent for
at least some years. IL was about three
years ago that Messer came here from
Yorkcrs, his son Arthur being partner
in the paper.mlll Of FItzgibbons, Messer b
Co., Just started at Old Boonton, n mile
away. The old gentleman was put In a.
manager. but at the end Of year his ec-
centricitics caused his discharge, and by
those about The mill he was generally con-
sdered crazy. His son retired from
the trm about six months ago, aud
went TO New York. Then the old man
gave III the house he was living In on a
farm near the paper-mill-a house. by the
way. which was once General Washing
toms headquarters and moved into the
handsome Briggs cottage, which he fur
pished very comfortably. lie was man
OF means. well read, and had travelled
widely. Only four years ago he made a
systematic tour OF Colorado. Fifty years
ago he was in the hardware business In
Maiden lane, New York. coming there from
his native State OF New Hampshire. Then
he went TO Boston, where he established
the Bay.State Sugar Refinery, and was In
terested i'm many business ventures there.
The gold excitement OF lsi9 took him
TO California for several wears, where he
now has son living who was an officer in
the Union army. Before coming here he
lived IN Yonkers, where he was in the iron
business, and was engaged In the building
OF engines with his son.inlaw. :. :. Hep
worth. Mrs. IIepworth died very sudden.
~ about two years ago, and this news I'M
neryed Mr.. Messer very much. He had been
drinking heavily since, and his appearance
and actions showed plainly that his mind
was unsettled. His only other children
living are the one in California; Arthur,
OF No. G5 Crosby street, New York, who
arrived tonight, and the one dying at her
home.
Mrs. Messer's courage after her fatal in
juries was remarkable. After calling for
help as she did, she even wanted to get water
for her daughter from the kitchen. aud
only the dead body OF her husband in the
room between kept her back. She then
went upstairs, and, thinking that her
daughter could not hear her. gave way to
her suilerings. When assistance came she
again summoned up courage, and when
the doctor arrived was reclining in chair
In the sittng.rOOm. Both mother and
daughter are spoken OF in the highest
terms by their neighbors, who crowd the
house tonight with protlers Of help. OF
Messer's eeccntricities many strange stories
are told.