Evening journal., 1891-04-14
MuRoes NOS Eoul
A Cecil County Farmer Ghot aud HIS
WHO kIllan hx Enrrlnra

Wife Killed by burglars
The news Of the shocking tragedy at
Colora, Cecil county, Nd, which reached
the EVENING JOURNAL to late for publl-
cation last evening, Is given below,
J. Granville Richards, who Is en-.
pleYed as an inspector In the Baltimore
custom house. and an OK member Of the
Maryland Legislature, resides with his
wife and four children on farm of
about Sc enty five acres about tive and
one half miles from Colora. On Sunday
night Mr. and Mrs. Richards did not
retire until late. About l o'clock Mrs.
Richards WAS awakened by strange
noise, and ON peerirg through the dark
ness she saw the faint outlines of two
human figures moving about the room.
hhs quickly aroused her husband, cry
ing to him; There are men In the
house. BE reached for bis pistol, and
holding it aloft said "Who is it2
Speak or I'll shoot That moment a
burly form arose from the side OF the
bed, and placing a revolver close to Mrs
kiehards's head, fred Her voice was
sileneed forever. Her huEband, almost
crszy st the shock. instantly sprang from
osd and made for the burglar with
cooked pistol. He fred, but as 1t was
dtnsely dark the aim was imperfect and
hit the wall only. That moment the
othsr burglar fred and Mr. Richards fell
10 the hoor, with terrible wound in his
side
He managed to get up again and stag
gefed towards the burglar who had killed
his wife. The two grappled and rolled
INTO the hall. II was a duel to the death.
Ut Richards had maaaged to get on top
OF his fendish adversary, when the other
ruihan rushed to the spot. Another piatel
ball was sent through Mr. Richards
abdomen and his head was pounded with
an iron chisel his arm aud wrist vera
broken aad be. at last fell unconscious
while the burglars beat a hasty retreat
leaving only hatchet and few light
footprints to lead to thair Identification.
The six other occupants of the house
were not aroused BY the noise, but soon
AFTER the occurrence, William, the eldest
son, became conscious OF the fact that
something unusual had happened and
on hnding his father at the stairway.
realized what had happened. He hurried
out 70 mad assistance and In few hours
the house was filed with neigh bsrs
Two physicians, Charles Turner of Rising
sun, and r. K. Crothers OF Colora. ar
rived at the scene OF the tragedy at 8
0 clock
The physician found Mrs. Richards in
an unconscious condition, and she never
recovered for a moment. but breathed
her last at 6 o'clock, just after the sun
had arisen Dr. TBrner states that he
still entertains hopes for the recovery of
Mr. Richards. Mr. Richards two brothers.
L. II. r. Richards Esq Of Media. Pa |
and Joseph T. Richards, assistant chief |
engineer Of the Pennsylvania railroad.
who had been telsgrsphed for, arrived at /
the scene at o'clock ia the afternoon.
coming there on a special train. They
we're accompanied by G. r. Ottey Of the |
Pennsylvania railroads detective force
Detectives Barringer and Hogan OF Bal |
timofe, aud W B, Lyon, of Smith, West
4 Lyon, also arrived.
The purpose Of the murder was un
doubtedly robbery. as tue burglars
carried Of two pocket books containing
$50, fne gold watch, a silver watch
aud Pennsylvania railroad bonds amount
ing 70 $1,000 States Attorney Evans
and Sheriff Boyd were at the house ali
day. The whole community is aroused
and II the burglars are captured, strategy
will hsve TO be rssorted TO TO keep them
out Of the hands OF an infuriated mob.