Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1884-07-14
PENNSYLVANIA.

A Fathers Double Crime-He Slabs
His Daughter Seven Times and Then
Kills HIMSELF.
PHILADELPHIA, July 13.-One of the most
revolving tragedies that ever startled COM
munity was enacted yesterday morning at
Conshohocken. John May, German shoe
maker, fifty-fve years ok, entered the room
of his daughter Lizzie after midnight and
stabbed the young girl in seven places, in
ficting wounds that will prove fatal, The
unnatural parent then turned his knife upon
himself, striking it fifteen times into his
breast before he succeeded in taking his life.
The motive that prompted the crime is not
know. There were no witnesses of the deed.
The murderous father is already dead and
his victim unconscious and at the point of
death. From the shrieks and cries of the
young girl, and from other evidences of a
struggle before the murder was accomplish
ed, it is thought that the father had attempt
ed an assault upon his daughter. When the
girl repealed his advances and cried for help
the infatuated man, incensed at being foiled
and fearful of detection and punishment,
plunged the knife repeatedly into the
childs bosom, and then, overwhelmed
by the enormity of his deed, struck
it into his own heart and fell beside her.
This is one theory of the tragedy Many who
find this theory inconsistent with the pre-
vious good character of the man point to the
fact that he was suspected of being a relig-
ious enthusiast, and believe that the butche
ry was committed during a fit of temporary
insanity, or else was the result of some such
horrible delusion as possessed Freeman, the
Pocasset murderer. John May was an in
dustrious and prosperous shoemaker, living
in a neat house in Elm street, Conshohocken.
With him lived his wife and eight children.
His daughter Lizzie was a very pretty and
bright looking little miss just entering her
seventeenth year. She had been visiting in
Baltimore for some time Last evening,
however, she arrived home and received a
warm welcome. May appeared to join in the
welcome of his daughter, but shortly after
eleven o'clock he left the house without Civ
ing any explanation of the cause of his de
parture. The other members of the family
retired and Miss Lizzie went to her own
room.
At about two o'clock yesterday morning
Nav returned and stealthily entered his
daughters apartment. just what took place
there can never be known, but Mrs. May was
startled from her sleep by the sounds of a
struggle and the angry voice of man, and
then she heard the voice OF her daughter
raised in q piteous appeal for mercy. The
woman threw up the window and cried,
&c Murder ~ and then, accompanied by two
of her sons, she rushed to L1zzles room. The
sounds of the struggle had ceased, and, as
the door was thrown open, the mothers worst
r. ind ho hnr
Mortified gaze. The murdered girl lay
upon the bed, which was saturated
with the blood that flowed from seven dis
tinct wounds. Nearly all the cuts were about
the breast, but there were three terrible
sIashes upon the right arm which had doubt
less been raised in defence: Beside the bed
Law the murderer and suicide. The blood
flowing from the wounds upon his breast
mingled with that of his daughter. The
man was SO nearly exhausted that he could
not speak and he died in less than half an
hour.
John May removed to Conshohoeken from
Baltimore fifteen months ago. He was re-
spected by the entire community as a hard
working and sober man. He was not add
dicted to the use of intoxicating drinks and
was believed to be of sound mind. Some of
his neighbors suspected that he was "a little
too religious" and gossiped among themselves
of his peculiarly devout habits A short
time ago May and his wife united with the
Protestant Episcopal church and since that
time had been among the most regular of its
worshippers.
One incident is told of the man which lends
color to the theory of insanity About a
year ago he made what he said was &c a dag
ger. with which to take my life" The blade
of the Inflated instrument is five inches long
and ee-eighths of an inch wide. 1t is of
steel and is sharpened on both edges The
blade is set into rudely carved wooden
handle three inches long. Mays wife secured