The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-04-08
1KAGEDIAN MURDOCK's NEPaEw.
A Strange story of a Murderer's Disappear
ance In California.

=
ance In California.
"Eloped, September %. 1884" says the
San Francisco Gail, is the Singular entry that
appears on the records of the Stockton Asy
lum for the Insane opposite the name OF
Thomas d. Neice, who was committed to
that institution from this city on the Goth OF
February, 1873, by r. +. Morrison, then
Judge of the Fourth District Court.
On the night Of the 9th of October, 1877,
Neice, who had been q night watchman in
the United States Mint, went to hou.e on
Fifth street, between Jessie and Mission,
carrying in his hand large white bouquet,
which he offered to Jennie 0'Neil, a nine
teen-y ear. old girl, one of the inmates OF the
house, who was also known as Emma Nee
han. She refused ii, whereupon he drew a
revolver and fired four shots at her. wound
ing her in several places. After he had
ceased firing he approached the wounded
woman, saving: kiss me, for | must go, a
l will swing for this" AS he was leaving
the house he was arrested by Officer Nj.
Murphy. As soon as he was in custody be
said to the officer: Take your revolver
and kill me, for have an old mother and
do not want to disgrace her," The prisoner,
who was then tWenty-one years of age, and
was the son OF Adelaide Murdo b, then
wellknown lectures, and nephew OF James
E. Murdoch, the tragedisn, came to this city
from Washington, ID. c., in February pre-
ceding the shooting, and soon after his ar
rivsl obtained position in the mint. He
formed the acquaintance of the woman he
shot, who was native Of Santa Cruz, and
married to q man named Meehan, but who
had separated from her husband. After
leaving her husband she went into house
on Sacramento street, where she was shot at
by her husband. This shooting affected her
mind, and she was sent to the asylum at
Stockton, from which place she had been dis.
charge as cured but a short time when
Neice became acquainted with her. On the
Goth Of October the woman died from the ef-
feots of the wounds inflicted by Neice, and
just before oy Ing che declared that Neice had
shot Der because she refused to support him.
In February, 1878. Neice was brought up in
Judge Morris Court for TRIAL for murder.
and during the trial Jury was sworn to try
his mental condition. The jury declared
that be was insane, and, as a person of IN
sound mind can not be tried for crime, b ?
was sent 10 the asylum.
On the oath Of May, 1881. D. L. Smoot,
then District Attorney, moved TO dis miss the
il q ctmeDt against Neice, stating that it was
the intention 10 send Neice to his mother in
Philsdslphi In support of the motion
there was read letter from DR.. ShurtlefI,
Superintendent of the Asylum at Stockton,
in which the writer said: Although Neice
Is still Of weak mind ard in poor bodily
health, he is sufficiently recovered 10 go at
large, and would therefore sivs3 his re-
mOVal." Judge Feral, then presiding in
Department 10 OF the Superior Court before
whom the motion was made, said: 81 have q
toleIab.e clear recollection of this case. The
murdered woman Was a To)-, wretchei
oRtcsst while the young man had
coed position. aud appeared to
be surrounded by influential friends.
1t is matter OF great surpriss
to find the Superintendent OF the
asylum sdyisir that Neice should bs per.
mitIed to go at large. The man is declared
to have homicidal mania. yet il is deiibsr-
stely proposed to send him to Philadel phia
to his mother, who is said to be verging on
insanity. Under these circumstances / can
Lot and will not dismiss the indictment. Ii
what hiss been stated q true, Neice could
kill any one in the community and be
wholly irresponsible. | dare not assume the
responsibility of discharging such a man."
Recently it came to the knowledge of re-
porter for the Call that Neice was no longer
an inmate of the asylum, and as he had not
been discharged by any order OF the Court q
visit was paid to the asylum, and the entry
which heads this article was discovered. The
authorities at the asylum say they know
nothing OF Heice's present whereabouts.