The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-04-30
MURDER And Suicide
John Wood Hits His Wife
With a Hammer and
Shoots Himself.
THEY WERE OLD AND POOR.
Thoughts of Separation from His
Life's Companion Drove tho
old Man Wild.
THEY WERE OLD AND POOR.

Asad case of reversed fortune. mental
suffering, attempted wife murder and
suicide was revealed in the Second Police
Court today John Wood, of No. 344
Webster avenue. has for many years
been much respected citizen OF
the Fourth Aldermanic District
and known to nearly everyone.
He has passed his sixty-eighth year, but
does not look so old His hair is nearly
white. and white goatee covers his chin.
His step, until today, was brisk and
youthful. He has been considered very
peaceful man and one unknown to police
magistrates.
Mr.. Wood was some years ago wealthy
brush manufacturer. He met with Dusl-
ness reverses aud his health faded away.
From affiuence he rapidly descended 10
poverty. His wife. a mild disposltioned
he, bore the trials of poverty
bravely and uncomplaiuingly. Finally
the couple became SO poor that rev
days ago they decided to separate Ihe
wife intended to live with some or her
relatives aud the husband with friepds OF
his. When this conclusion was reached,
Wood became very melancholy, and for
mented man.
FEARED THE SEPARATION.
About eight O'clock this morning wood
called to his wife:--"Marv Aun. Mary
Ann, come here" The woman went to
the room where her husband was waiting
for her. He was terribly excited and ner-
vously twisted hammer in his honds. A
look was in his eyes that his wife had
never seen before, and instinctiyely she
| feared some disaster was about to hap
| pen.
"What do you want, John" she asked
| The old man glared at her for an in
slant and then tears came to his eyes aud
washed from his face the hardened and
demoniacal expression it had worn. For
some minutes he wept and then he ex-
claimed:-
MARY Ann, we are about to leave each
| other; do you want to 40 so?"
sit is better. john" she said.
mo, no. he cried, aud becoming wild
with excitement, he shouted, mo, no, by
| God, no; we shall not be separated.
AS he said this he raised the hammer in
| his hand high in the air and brought 1t
down on his wife's unprotected head.
She fell at his feet with moan Believ-
| ing that the woman was dead The insane
man drew from his POCKET a small 90
| calibre revolver and fired a bullet into his
head Just over the temple.
MADE NO RESISTANCE.
The pistol shot attracted the attention
| of tenant in the house, and he entered
| the room where the tragic scene had
transpired. The old man made no resist
ance when the tenant took the pistol
| from his hand. A policeman was SUM
moned, and when he arrived he took
| Wood to the Webster avenue police
station. Soon afterward Mrs. Wood re-
| covered and was taken to neighbours.
| She was attended by physician but 1t
could not then be discovered whether her
skull had been fractured OF not. She
| will probably be taken to the City Hos
pital.
Wood was taken from the police station
to the police court. His condition was
such that Justice Davis sent him to the
CITY Hospital. The bullet has not yet
been extracted. While In the court room
| Wood shed bitter tears.