The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1892-04-14
Murder.
60

EOsslDlllty OF auOlueF murder.
Such in brief is the record of crime In
Canton today.
This, Friday afternoon, shortly before 2
O'Clock, John W. McCurdy shot and in
stantly killed Lewis =. Waltenbauzh. he
then shot his wife, Mrs. McCurdy twice,
and later took his own life.
The fearful tragedy occurred at the resi-.
dence of John W, McCurdy, No. 32S North
end of ShOrb street. The cause of the
crime was probably jealousy.
There were no Witnesses 10 the tragedy
and as Mrs. McCuFdy, the only one alive
rs unable to talk, il is impossible to give
an account of the shooting that is abso-
IuteIy correct.
AT the time of the terrible crime Fl. ].
Shorb, o contractor, and his son, we're
working ia new house next to the Nc
CurdyIresidence. They heard one pistol
shot and Mrs. McCurdy rushed out of the
house.
She stepped,to the fence separating their
lot from the new house and throwing up
her hands cried, ~ am shot and am dy-
ing.n
After saying this she went through the
gate and started for the new house. She
was met about half way by Mr.. II. j,
Shorb who helped her into the ne " house,
McCurdy soon appeared on the scene
and wanted his wife to go home with him.
one agreed TO do go, and Shorb said he
would allow her TO go if McCurdy
would give up his revolver.
Az this he went over 10 the house and
got small revolver handing II TO Mr.,
Shorb. The revolver was empty. Mrs.
McCurdy started to run up the hill. in
stead OF going toward her own house.
McCurdy then pulled large revolver out
OF his pocket and shot again at his wife.
The bullet took effect back of the ear. She
did not stop running however and assisted
by Mr. Shorb proceeded to the residence
OF Mr. Conrad Schweitzer, where she was
cared for until physician arrived.
Before shooting at his wife, McCurdy
had finished Mr.. Louis T. Waltenbaugh
with a single bullet.
After firing the second shot at bis wife,
hsGOurdy went back into his own yard
and placing the revolver at the right tenn |
pie fired. He fell on the wax and later |
was carried into the kitchen, where he |
soon expired.
Officers Vogelgesang and Jacobs, and
9ohn Bederman were the first to
arrive at the scene. DR.. Il. NJ. |
Johnson was soon on hand and later Drs.
A. G and E. ID. Brant, Marshal Gentry and
she reporters arrived.
When the NEWS. DEMOCRAT man reach Il
ed the place McCurdy was on the floor in /
the kitchen and had breathed his last. He
ing enaered tie right temple.
~ TIE front room lay L. L. Waltenbaugh
batbed in his life's blood which had oozed
from the wound in the temple. The shot
was a sure one and had evidently been
fired at close quarters.
A careful examination of the premises |
was made, and while il may be only the.
ory, 1t looks very much as ii
Mr.. Waltenbaugh had been in
the bed room at the McCurdy
residence. The rear window of that room
had been broken in and the bed was dis
turbed. Mrs. McCurdy's shoes was be-
side the bed when the investigation was
made. 1t looks as il McCurdy had fred
the shot at Waltenbaugh just as
he hestepped from the bedroom into the par
Ior. The powder marks are to be seen
on the wood work and il would seem as il
McCurdy was in a STOPPING position wait
ing for his victim to open the door. The
body was found just outside of the door.
Drs. Brant and Johnson examined the
injuries of Mrs. McCurdy at the Schweitzer
residence. There is one bullet over the
left eye and another back OF the ear. Her
injuries are not necessarily fatal but very
serious. Later she was removed to the
Aultman hospital and the worst is
feared; Mrs. McGurdyu is al
leaving walked to the door and asked the
doctor II her injuries were serious. She
was led back TO her seat but was in no
condition to tell her story regarding the
shooting. While at the house she stated
that her husband had several times
Il
Coroner John II. Openhimer was noti-
fed and will fully investigate the case.
He was among the early arrivals at the !
scene OF the tragedy.
THE VICTIMS. II
Lewis T. Waltenbsugh, the man who
was murdered, resided at 13 West Lake
street. He leaves a wife and six children.
The deceased has always stood well In
the community, being prominent church
member. He was plasterer by trade,
being member of the firm of Sell q
Waltenbaugh for number of years. Mr..
was about as years of age.
John w. McCurdy, the murderer, 10
son Of exPoliceman Joseph McCurdy. He
10 weli-known in the city and also plas-
serer by trade. He was about 33 years OF
age.
Mira. McCurdy was formerly Huberty
her father being Nick Huberty, who re- I
5ides in the Fulton road. She 10 about 80
years of age.
MRS. wALTRNBAUGH NOTIFIED.
About 2:45 p. m. DIR. A. C. .Brant called at
The Waltenbaugh residence and informed I
been killed but did not tell her the circum- {
stances. Mrs. Waltenbaugh was COM
,letely prostrated by the sod news, herself 1
md children carrying on at a great rate.
THE EXAMINATION.
When Coroner Openhimer, assisted by
DE-. Evans and Officer Jacobs, examined |
they found ciotted wound g
n the right temple. No powder marks {
bout the wound, showed the shot had
Deen fired from distance. In the mans Z
light pantaloons pocket was found gold ]
gatch and chain and $1,So in money.