The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-08-20
Killed by the Neighbors.

ANOTHER TENEMENT HOUSE TRAGEDY CAUS-
ED BY CHILDREN.
1t would be charitable and perhaps
partly true to say that the intense heat
was the first cause Of a shocking murder
that occurred in a crowded and sitting
tenement on Billerica street last evening.
The tragedy was almost a duplicate of
the hot-lgnt murder on Monroe place
two weeks ago. The victim, John Gull
len, was :G years old and lived with his
wife and children at - Billerica street
Other tenements in The same building
are occupied by John and Timothy Cof-
fee and their families. At about 9 o'clock
last evening the children of Cullen and
the Cotfees got into quarrel about no.
body knows what. Their elders could
hardly keep their tempers under the
best of circumstances in the hot and i'll
smelling atmosphere OF the tenement,
and the dispute of the children gave the
parents an added cause 0t discomfort
At about $50, SO witnesses state, the
Coffee brothers announced their inten-
ton to clean ont the Cullens They
were i'll the front room on the second
floor at the time. A large white hand
led iack-knite was produced, and the
brothers shalpened the big blade on the
edge of the sink. Then, accompanied by
Margaret, Timothy's wife, they went
down stairs. Accounts differ as to
whether they We're armed with any
ether weapons. Some say that John and
Margaret each had some kind of a club
All witnesses agree, however, that Tim
othy handled the knife and that all three
fell upon Cullen in the doorway at the
foot OF the stairs. A very brief scrim
mage followed, in which all took part,
Cullen acted upon the defensive and
gave no prOvocation. But he was help
less against three aSsailants. Three or
four terrible blows were struck with the
knife. One was aimed at Cuien's heart,
bat struck near the shoulder with such
force as to almost sever the left arm
from the body. Two blows at the throat
took effect. These were the fatal wounds.
The blood flowed so freely that his as
salants seem to have been satisfied with
tlelr work and they desistcd Cullen
staggered into his kitchen on the sans
floor, fell, and iii six or seven minutee
was dead.
The fight made great commOtion in
and out Of the house. Patroman Ryan
Of Division 3 was not very far away. He
soon learned Of the murder, and followed
BY Patrolman Gray he reached the house
just before Cullen expired. The Cot1ees,
after finishing the bloody work, went
back to their rooms up stairs. There
they locked themselves in. The officers
instantly started in search Of them. Find
ing the door locked they burst it open.
Then the two men made a rush to escape.
But the officers were too quick for them
and they were soon in irons and on the
way to the station house Margaret Cof-
fee was found to Lave received a severe
cut ON one arm during the melee. She
also was arrested. The action of the Of
tlcers in the case was prompt and intel
ligent. Within half an hour after the
tragedy occurred the principals and all
the witnesses were under lock and key.
Witnesses are almost as hard to get as
the principals in crimes among people Of
this class and the officers were fortunate
in securing all who were needed so
promptly. Medical Examiner Steadman
took charge Of the body of Cullen and it
was taken to the Morgue.
Cullen is described as peaceable and
industrious man. The Coffee brothers
are said to have a bad reputation. Both
OF them have served terms in the Hotse
of Correction, the police say. Boston
Journal, Aug. 18th.