New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-08-25
MRS. sTUARTS TRAGIC DEATH
KILLED BY HER SONS SHOTGUN.
WAS IT ACCIDENT OR suIoIDE-RErIcEScE OF THE
FAMILY

FAMILY.
The people Of the little village of Rye, when
lies along the Sound about twenty-five miles from
New-York were startled yesterday noon oy
tho rumors of terrible suicide. Mrs.
Stuart has shot herself was the worn
that passed from mouth to mouth and the suddenness
OF the awful nearly stunned the good neighoor''
for that morning. had been her custom during the
seven summers that the Stuart family have passed at
Rye Beach, Mrs. Stuart rode to the station with ner
husband senior partner of the banking firm OF j. D.
Stuart Co., No. 80 Nassaust. and took an ahecuohao
leave OF him. Returning TO their summer home qun'
old house. known as tho old Hastead place.
standing amid winding drives and wel-kept lawns inc
latter studded with vldespreading shade trees
which the eyes catches glimpses OF the SOUND MIS-
Stuart dressed her three little children and sent tne
forth 10 play. while her eldest Malcolm compieVeu
his arrangements for the reception Oh friena' VIM
were expected on the eleven o'clock train. hith
child-for there we're in the famlly-Macon, Anna,
Charlotte. Mary and Joseph-was away on Long isiano
for her health.
Before going upstairs Mrs. Stuart wandered out into
the Kitchen where the cook. noticing certain amless
ness OF manner. asked II there wero any ORDERS
Receiving negative she returned TO her WORK
and nothing was seen OF Mrs. Stuart un''i
shortly after IL O'Clock she glided down
the stairs in dark brown silk dress, neatly
tipped with lace the throat and wrists and drawing
aside tho portiero which hid closet beneath tho starr
way. disappeared behind IT, In tho closet were various
articles OF clothing and doublebarreed breech load
Ing gan belonging 10 Malcolm. A moment later there
was deafening report that nearly frightened the wits
out OF the girl Bridget Duffy. who stood In the
door OF the house. She rushed to the closet
whore sight met hor eyes that nearly destroyed tho
little remnant Of left. There on the hoor win
har dress soaked In her blood The upper portion OF
her skull blown Of her brains spatered upon the WALL
and the right side OF her beneath the gaping wound
and tha half.burned powder,
lay tho body OF mistress beside the shotgun the re-
port ofwhich yet stirring the eohosso tho cid house.
shs seized tho bleeding body. drew II partly into the
hail. and then frantically away Mrs.
Stuart fair, slight woman OF
nervous temperament She forty-two years old and
until her marriage lived In Belfast. Ireland where her
family tho Macoms sti i've her brother being pros
porous linen manufacturer. Her husband was ono or
two years her senior and their eighteen OF married
life were without q shadow. Their town house was ut
No. 100 East ThiftysiIthst but early in each spring
they removed to Rye Beach. having occupied In turn
places owned by James Parsons and George L. Cornell
before settling IT. their present abode Mrs stuart was
always IN good health until last fall, when she sur
fored from malaria In April last she took two other
children 90 Ireland with tho Intention OF spending
the there Returning alone In May.
however, sho ha. siues been moro nervou.
aud somewhat unsettled In her mind 80 that an expert
physician was called In. but was unable TO give any
opinion In the She worried so over her two chill
s .Ids' tina, 10 June Mr. siGar, went over
and brought them back Last Saturday
she asked Malcolm % explain TO her the workings OF
bis gun which he kept 10 shoot snpe along the SHORE
when home his vacation from tho military school At
pouehkcepsie A rumOr which could not be traced 10
IL source asked Matt the coachm 10
Was Il suicide accdentr IL the question that IA
troubling tho village go.sips. Tho Coroners
Jury Oi six Eat late In tho after
noon. They we're most OF them friends OF
tho stuart family fellow ~ the Presbyterian
Church whose handsome stone building stands on the
road 60 the AFTER somewhat hasty and super
clai hearing verdict Of accidental death was rendered
few shot pierced the curtain and st others were e'
hedicd IN the doors accrus. tho hall. but their
power was spent. showing that the whole
charge took effect IN tho head OF tho unfortunate
Tho brains spaitered upon tho walls nj height
81 scarcely three from the floor led to think
that she must have been IN sitting posture When inc
81 plosion occurred.
Tho friends Who came the II o'clock train arrived
In the midst ~ the widest domestic chaos.
Kilograms we're sent 20 Mr.. stuart and bis
brothers IN New York and they. with other
relations arrived the 3l3 train The strctest score
CO was Immediately oboined on the servants.
" The family have determined o. give none OF the do
tails the affair the newspaper said ono OF Mr.
stuart's brothers to THInuSE reporter. Tho
doors. but their tongues were sealed % dont know
ali tie mornlag" said Matt Duffy. the
goodman. Then little later no Indignantly
repeed the rum0F OF suicide II couldn't be, because
was talking to her only ten minutes before IL hap
fhe poor peop. Of the n.ighbOrhood say that Mrs.
stuart was the soul ofcharty and they her loss
with more than usual sinceriiy.