Evening journal., 1889-08-10
klRCHNER'S SACRIFICE.
He Defended His Mothers
Honor Valiantly.
AND GAVE HIS LIFE FOR HERS.

Henry Morsanwecht Does Murder Most
Foni-Hc shoots Down His stepaon.
The Ball was Meant Tor the Boys
Motner-A New York Tragedy.
New YoRT, Aug. 1o-A most atrocious
homicide was committed on the top floor Of
the two story frame dwelling No. 79i Ninth
avenue, where Henry Morgenwecht y
painter, shot and killed his IL. year-old step
on John kirchner, for interfering in
quarrel between his mother and stepfather.
Morgenwecht was arrested by Officer
Daniel Costigan, Of the Twenty second pre-
enct, just as he wns leaving the house. and
taken before sergt Boyle % wsom he con-
essed the shoe ing He said the boy was
lezy, sh.ftess fellow, who refused to work
and lived on him. lie stated that the boy
and his older brother, Conrad assaulted him
and were ejecting him from the house when
he fired shot just to scare them. The BAH
struck John, and, fearing it had killed him.
he aed. Morgenwecht did not know that
the boy was dend and seemed Indifferent a.
70 his condition.
The Cause u the Trouble.
Two years ago in September Morgenwecht
marrlei the widow Klrchner. She bad two
sons and two daughter, whose father had
been dead a year or more Morgenwecht
was painter by trade, and maue 4 very
good salary and seemed 10 be deeply inter-
ested IN The welfare Of the children. Conrad
was carpenter, and dih his share toward
tne support Of the family The two girls
Katie and Mary, were out nc service. and
John worked for plumher nnmed Flynn, al
the corner Of Slxty-iourth street and Ninth
avenue. They ali lived happiy until about
three m nthf ago, when Morgeuwecht sud.
denly assumed a suen air and began to abuse
his wife Al first lie reused 20 give any
reason for his queer actions. but when pressed
very hard by the ms, he said that he had
discovered that his wife and the.r mother
had borne an iiegitimate child year after
hes husband died.
lie Threatened 20 XIII Her.
The boys denied this and doubted their
step-fathers ability 70 prove it. He said no
more about Il az that time, but his manner
continued the same and be spent but little
time IN the house. During the past week be
renewed the accusation and said that he had
positive proof Of il On Thursday he became
very much excited when the matter was re-
fcrred % and threatened to XIII his wife and
himself
The Boys Defend Tbeir Mother.
The children interfered and the old man
left the house About eight Ole ock Friday
night when he returned from work, he was
accompanied by man named Kostadter. a
fellow workman, by whom he intended TO
prove his wiie's unfaithfulness Mrs. Nor
genwecht, her two sons and her daughter
Mary sat az the supper table when the two
entered. The husband hecan heratng his
wife and boasting Of the living proof he had
against her, when John and Conrad jumped
p their feet and ordered the old man 70
cease or leave the house Rstadter became
frightened at this turn Of affairs and ran
down stairs
Morgenwecht had been drinking some and
he refused 10 be quiet A scuiiie ensued and
the father drew a 32-caliber revolver and
fred, intending, it is supposed, to shoot his
wife.
He Gave His Life for Hers.
John saw him draw the pistol and sprung
for It just as the weapon was discharged. and
the bali, entering the left breast, penetrated
the pericardium, producing an inward hem
orrhage, from which the boy died in few
moments. The wounded boy staggered out
into the hallway and ieil unconscious on the
landing. An ambulance was quickly sum
moned, but the surgeon refused 70 remove
he body, for death was apparent
brothers. Bravery.
After The shot was fired Conrad wrested
the weapon from his fathers hand and
pounded his head against the wall until the
occupants OF the adjoining apartments
ushed IN and separated them Morgenwecht
then took this opportunity to escape, but was
captured by the dlgent police officer Con-
rad told a reporter with tears in his eyes.
chat he wished it had been he that was shot
mstead OF his brother. He said his father
was a brutal aud qunrresome man