Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-09-26
4 poMnsrIc rRAaEpY.
4 Young Man KtIis isis WISE ANA
INTERCHANGEABLE Then Attempts

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Then Attempts
suicide,
BnLLEFoNTE, Pa, Sept. 22, --Seely
Hopkins, citizen OF Phillipsburg, this
county, aged about 20 years, to day, at
10 o'clock. shot and killed both his wife
and mothur.iu. law, and then tried to kill
himself, but failed. Hopkins has en-
gagged in numerous quarrels with his wife
during tho past two or three months.
Two weeks ago he left home, returning
Yesterday. They had another quarrel
this morning, in the course of which
Hopkins pulled revolver from hispooket
and shot his wife dead.
This occurred on the first floor OF their
home aud the frenzied man after killing
his wife rushed to the third story, where
his tnother-in.law was, and shot her, too,
killing her instantly. Hopkins then left
the house md fed to neighboring
livery stable, where he attempted to kill
himself, firing two shots at hts head with
his revolver, neither of them doing much
damage, however, beyond ploughing a
couple OF grooves in the top OF his skull.
He confessed TO killing his wife and her
mother to DR.. Pierce, who pronounced
him ont of danger. The district Rttor-
LGNt hCCuLBhtiJu AAhS phShAhI WAAA
leave here early tomorrow morning to
bring the murderer to the jail at this
place. The ooroner's inquest will be
held at 10 o'clock tomorrow.
Jealousy and belief in the faithleBs-
ness of his wife ore Thought to be the
cause that caused him to commit the
crime.
The county has not had clearly
proven csse Of murder since the year 1919.
W. 3. Hopkins, who shot and instantly
killed his wife Maggie aud his mother,in'
law, Mrs. Wigaman this morning, was
arrested by Acting Chief CT Police John
Nj. Click, who was at tho scene OF the
tragedy few moments after it had &C
Cured. upon Hopkins person was
found the following letter, which it is be-
lieved contains the reason for the com
mission of the deed:
uourHpALE, Pa, Sept. 2l.--I haye written
many statements on what anu going TO do
Most OF the people In PhllllpsbncS say
have been bounded to gst mo out OF the
way 80 Edward Hughes and donr Eddie
aDldrleks, the cracker agent, can have
| their own wnv. They have used my wit
| Maggie as theirs. | love her to tdolEtrS
/ and these men can never have her again.
! will die first. want this directly uGrier
| stood. l want my body sent TO Bert Hop
| kins, 81 Stone atrGet, RCchegtrr, N. Y.
hope we will both reach heHvsn. Goodbye
all. | am In Osceola now, on my way
Whoever comes Ia my way when NEE
Maggie and inteff5res will go down witt
her.
SATURDAY, Sept 2l.-To-night Ia my time
II everything Is Ill right Mind nY words
l want my body sent home just us fall.
| hate to do Il crlIn1 Ike this, but they hay
bounded me around until am stirred to II
The letter was Addressed TO news
paper with the request that il DO pnb
lighea after the death Of tho writer
Hopkins, who had been away from tow
for few days, was arrested on HAturdg
TOR assault and battery on his wife, CON
mitted week ago. lie was tried nm
committed to jail in default OF bail. Fu
some reason tie constable fAil1d 70 tax
him to jail, but permitted him to run u
liberty.
Ilcpkin'a own account Of tho killing i
that he broke open cellar window las
evening and slept In tho cellar. Hi
morning ho heard his wife astir overhea
and went up stairs and attempted 10 en-
brace her. She tepulsed him, and
tEereupon pniled revolver and fire
two shots at her, both taking effect al
killing her instantly. When size fell |
went up stairs, entered the room OF b
mother-in-law and fred two bai!ets in
hog, also killing her instantly. lie re
from the house. and, Just in front Of al
ports livery stable, ne attempted to XII
nimself with the same revolver; but onl
succeeded in iniloting compile of sea
wounds. The affair has created inten
excitement.