New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-17
JEALOUSY AND MURDER.
FIVE YEARS OF UNHAPPY MARRIED LuU
ENDED IN DEATH. ~
THE CLERK IN A LONG BRANCH STORE SHOOTS
AT HIS MOrHERIN-LAw AND KILLS BOTH
HIS wIFE AND HIMSELF.

! rBr rsLscRApn TO THE rRrBusaJ
Long Branch, Aug Is-The Highlands OF Fsvesano
were the scene Of murder and suicide this sftsrnooe-
Adolph Harmon, Of Long Branch, tried TO snoos ~
motherin-law and then killed his wife and himeesh
The shooting took place in the dense woods neS
the southernmost Of the twin lighthouses Aithouo
| she had been . wife five years Mrs. Harmon iooHee
like young s1rl even in death Her light blond
hair waved her forehead and her blue syse
could be plainly through the only haifeosed Los
Constable Little sat under large tree between the
two bodies. From his pocket he took the cheap ~
vover which Harmon used II was stamped SvamD
Angel and carried ball Of A cabre. Four Of the
six chambers Of the weapon had been discharce6
In a cottage the Lighthouses, Tribune ~
porter found Mrs. Ellen Hayes, the mother Of th>
dead and the only person living who Witnesses
Harmon's crime. The left side OF her face was hled
with powder, tho result OF Harmons attempt TO XIII
her before he shot his wife, Mrs. Hayes was hardly
able tell the story OF the filing Of her daughter
and tho self fmurder OF tho young husband 6ho sat
by the window, gazing out over tho ocean, and
cried as she slowly related tho story Of the
horrible crime. Her statement showed that her SON
In-law had deliberately planned the murder OF his
wife. The young couple had been married for about
FIVE years Harmon was born in Frankforon-the-
Main, where his family still lives. He was employed
as delivery clerk by the firm OF Morford Brown a
Company, who have stores In Long Branch and IN
Ocean-ave., below the West End Hotel
Harmon was of q sullen and jealous nature. Mrs.
Harmon was only sixteen years OF age when sho was
married She full Of life and spirit. and enjoyed
lively company. Harmon frequently threatened to
kill her. Nearly three years ago hc left bis wife.
They patched up their differences about ten months
and again began living together. But Harmon
still had spells of Ill temper, In which he uttered
threats OF killing his wife. few weeks ago he purs
chased the revolver which no used this afternoon
He showed 1t to his wife day. and said in half
Joking manner:
Il shall kill you with this, Nellie one Of thss
days.
Mrs Hayess story Of the shooting ~ fo1owst
al am tho wife Of Charles Hayes. carpenter
who lives IN Long Branch had two children, Elvnt
Harmon's wifo, whom always called Nellie, and
son fourteen years old Harmon planned picnic
here to-day He wanted me to accompany him and
his wife at first refused but he was 30 urgent 10
his invitation that consented TO come here witl
them We left Branchport on Norman L. Munro't
steam yacht. the Jersey Lily. Whom we landed hert
We walked up the hill. When about hall
way up, Harmon began picking at his wife, and whep
she replied sharply to him he drew his revolver ouf
Of his pocket and pointed It at her. made him put
It back In his pocket.
After We reached the top Of the hill We ate thu
dinner which we had brought from home. HARMON
renewed the quarrel with his wife I was standing
with my back to them, when heard Nellie scream
turned and saw that Harmon had again drawn hit
revolver and had pointed it at my daughter. ran
over to them and told him put the weapon up
He replaced It in h pocket and then caught up scl
and began beating Nellie with It. caught hold OF
the stick and tried TO pull It out Of his hands. He
let 60 Of It ard pulling his revolver and cooking
it. deliberately fred my head. The bullet whistled
past my ear and my face blown full Of powden
started to rum when I heard another
report and shrill scream from my
daughter I turned and saw her stsgyei
She ONLY was able to 60 about forty feet. when she
pitched forward upon her faco. heard two other
ports and saw Harmon stagcer down tho hill on the
other side and then fall. ! 70 Nellie and turned
her over. Blood running from her left breast
She ped family and died IN less than two minutes
Harmon lived about two hours. Nellie was twenty
one years. Harmon two years older. The murs
der Of my child the outgrowth OF Harmon's ter
rlble temper. He had to DO Jealous Of hei
as she never received the attentions OF other mon.
when Harmon pulled out his revolver on the way
up the hl he told Nellie that he going to kill her
When made him put It back In his pocket. he said
Well, will Kill you when we get home to-nEht''
After Harmon shot himself he lay unattended undet
the until he died as no physician could be found
Both he and his wife were nicely dressed. His repue-
tion here was that Of surly Ill naturcd brute
this evening that Harmon asked for Leave Of absence
this morning the plea that he wanted 70 - TO
New York for the purpose of collecting some money
Tue him. When his request was refused he became
angry and went homo. Several years ago he fell
In love with Miss Martha Kruse, In Long Branch
She refused receive his attentions and he shot hep
n the side. He served months for his crime ip
he New Jersey state Prison.