New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-13
SHOT BY A SUICIDE.
TRYING IN VAIN TO MURDER HIS WIFE.
A HUSBAND PUTS TWO BULLETS IN THE WOMAN
AND THREE IN HIS OWN HEAD.


Mrs Teresa Adams a comey widow age forty,
has kept boarding house at No. Az West Twenty
secondst for several years She has four daughters.
Minnie, Mabel, Georgana and Josephine, all
young women who are dressmalIers and have
many wcll-lxnown people among their customers.
Mrs. Adams's husband in business in Jersey
City for many years He died about six years ago,
leaving Mrs. Adams a small amount Of insurance
money to begin the battle Of life on her own
account with her young children. She and her
daug ghtcrs have been successful in their business
and arc in fairly good circumstances
Richard B. Carter, boss stevedorc, who
formerly had charge of the 'longshoremcn at the
Atlas Line pier at West Twenty y-ffth-st, came to
board with Mrs. Adams last November. His
daughter Agnes, who is about twenty years old,
came to Mrs. Adams's house. few days after
her father and engaged board. Carter ap-
pearcd TO be quiet man, attentive
to his business and devoted to his daughter.
In less than three weeks from the time he met
Mrs Adams, he offered himself to her in mar
riagc, and they were quietly married on Decem-
Der 90 They did not go off ON wedding tour
but settled down at once in Mrs Adams's home,
Carter taking charge Of affairs at once, and
putting himself at the head of the household
1t soon became evident that Cartcr's amabil
ity was only assumed and that be had covered
up a vicious and immoral nature with the cloak
Of deccncy, with view Of making himself ac
ceptablc in the sight of Mrs Adams. He threw
of the cloak when he married and appeared
in his true light refusing to do any work or con-
tribute anything toward defraying the house.
hold expenses insisting that both he and his
daughter should be supported by his wife, while
he spent bis time in liquor stores
REVEALING HIS TRUE CHARACTER.
Mrs. Carter begged him to live sobcrly, and
even expressed q willingness to take care of him
if he would remain temperate. Finally the board
crs told Mrs. Carter that they would have to leave
her if she did not protect them from insult from
her husband When it thus came to be question
OF giving up her business her husband, she
was not long in deciding. In the latter part of
March she locked the door upon her husband and
set his trunk and property in the street. Miss
Carter left the house at this time also Mr..
Carter was wild at this action Of his wife and
threatened to kill her outright. lie tried to
break open the doors and get into the house,
but after a time cooled off and got q room at
40. 26O West Twcnty-frst-st
After getting rid of her husband Mrs. Carter
renOunced his name and resumed her name OF
Adams. After Carter left her. Mrs. Adams learned
that he had been married four times and had
at least three wives living She heard also that
he had been arrested AMI tried for bigamy In
New-Jersey. He persisted in annoying her in
various ways-hanging around the neighborhood
and when Mrs Adams her daughters went
out, following and trying. to speak to them
None of them would notice him and this annoyed
him greatly. lie used threatening language and
insulting epithcts and swore that he would kill
the whole family.
Mrs Adams got tired of his abuse and had
him arrested. lie fined $40 and furnished
bonds to keep the peace After this he got into
the house one night by breaking grating In the
front yard and caught a servant in the kitchen:
He made the girl PROMISE by threatening 70 XIII
her if she refused. that she would poison the
entire family. Mrs. Adams again called for police
protection but Carter suddenly disappeared and
remained away for several weeks. lie turned
up again recently and began his annoying prac-
Two weeks ago hc shouted into the front window
that hc would kill Mrs Adams and her children
The family were at supper and were greatly
alarmed. lie chased one of the girls two nights
ago in the street She ran into Hat on Twenty
seccnd-st. for protection and was taken home by
a policeman.
GOING TO THE FATAL MEETING.
Yesterday afternoon Mrs Adams received note
from Mr.. Carter asking her to meet him at 8 p m
and indicating that he had something important to
tell her Mrs. Adams went to SiXtl-avc. and
Twcniy-third-st., the appointed place. She did
not fear Mr. Carter and went to meet him to try
and induce him to leave her alCne. He was there
before her. and as soon she came up he held out
his hand to her She refused to take it. This
nct,lcd him for moment; Then ne nnburdened
his mind lie had been drinking though he was
not drunk He told her that he was passiOnately
in love with her and could not live any longer
without her. She told him that it was foolish to
talk in that way, She no longer had any regard
for him and living with him was out OF the ques-
tion altogether During this conversation they
had walked to Twcnty-socond-st. and had turned
toward Scvcnth-avc. Mrs Adams told him that
the best way TO win her good VIII was 10 keep
away from her and not annoy her.
You are my wife" he exclaimed vehemently,
and have right TO see you"
am your wife in name only and ! VIII nor
you again under any protence, Mrs. Adams re-
tortcd firmly.
DO you mean that 2' he hsscd while his face
blazcd with passion.
Il do certainly,' she replied
" Then / will kill YOU"
lie drew pistol from his coat and fired point
blank in Mrs Adams's face. 1he bullet grazcd her
shoulder She screamed jumped backward, and
started on run toward SiXth-avc lie fired again.
Mrs Adams clapped her hand to her right side,
staggered screamed wildly and fell unconscious
on the sidewalk in front of livery stable at No.
100 West Twenty -secOnd-st. The shooting began
in front Of No 14s. Carter followed, his face
lvid with anger lie took long look at his wifc's
face and. feeling satisfied with his fcndsh work.
put the revolver against his temple and fired. lie
rcelcd into the middle of the street and sent an;
other shot into his brain. He turned several
side of his right eye and bazcd away again. He
fell then face downward, with the pistol still in
his hand
1T TURNS OUT WE'LL FOR THE WOMEN
Officer Fay the spot in moment and
sent out a call for an ambulance Mrs Adams
was carried into the livery stable, and Carter was
left in the street. The ambulance came quickly
and Carter put into it first. lie presented
a horrible appearance his face being frghtfully
distorted and covered with blood Mrs. Adams
had recovered consciousness and walked 10 the
ambulance She took seat by the side of her
husband, who was gasping for breath and moaning
The sight was too much for the womans feelings
and she tainted. 1t was thought that Carter was
dead when he reached the Ncw-Yorll Hospital,
but he revived slightly and lived until o'clock,
when he died in great agony
Mrs Adamss injury is serious, but the chances
are all in favor Of her recovery. Her corsagc
afforded her some protection against the ball.