Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-03-16

Quincy Mass, March Il. -Unreoutited
love and jealousy were causes of probable
murder and suicide at Quincy this morning,
the principles in tho shocking tragedy being
Mary Victoria Lafave, a comsly lass of Is
years, and Joseph Massey, aged about 80
years.
Tho girl who is a devout church member,
had been to 8 clock mass at st. Johns
church, and was returning home unattend-
ed When she reached the corner of Han
cock and Elm streets Massey who had
been waiting for her, followed her down
Elm street toward her home. A score or
more other people who were also returning
from church were also behind her. When
the girl had reached a point opposite the
entrance to the old Miller estate, commonly
known as the "Stile, - Massey was seen to
step up near her and without any warning,
drew n revolver and fired three shots in
rapid succession, which were followed by n
heart ronding scream from the girl
The whole affair came so suddenly upon
the eve witnesses that they were for mo-
ment apparently paralyzed and paid no at
tentiou to Massey, who after doing the
shooting, did not stop to see the result, but
turned and walked leisurely through pri-
waite way toward Bigeow street. lie had
gene about 200 feet when the crowd, which
had gathered, shouted "Stop that man; he
has shot girl. Several mon started for
him, but before he could be overtaken be
placed the revolver which he still held in
his hand, to his head and fred the ball en-
tering just above and back of the right ear.
Without a word he fell over on bank of
snow and expired in about 10 minutes.
Chief OF Police Langley soon appeared
upon the scene with Officers Ferguson, Nc
Kay and Bradley, who, however, found
nothing to do, except to keep the crowd
awav from the body OF Massey until Medi-
cal Examiner Gilbert arrived, when he gave
the re mains in charge of Undertaken Hall.
Meanwhile willing hands took the girl ten
derby in their arms and carried her to her
home, short distance away, where Drs.
Sheehnn and Davis made an examination.
They found that ali three shots had taken
Effect. One passed through the left wrist.
The other two entered the middle of the
back little to the left of the spinal col
umn, between the 9th and lth ribs, frac-
turing the ninth rib; one Of the bullets
lodged in the left lung and one in the abdo-
men. The patient was very weak with
scarcely any pu,se and no attempt was
made TO probe for the balls. The physicians
pronounce it very serious case and do not
have much hopes for her recovery.
The unfortunate girl was the second old
est OF a family of II children of Alsxsn-
der Lnfave and lived with her parents in a
ltjIe house On tie corner of Union and
Baxter st eats, being employed in the shoe
manu- tory OF 7. ii. Whicbec ~ Co
which Is d ie;tly opposite her home. : h
was quiet, unassuming girl an general
favorite with her shopn ates, WHO ere
shocked at the terrible affair.
Massey, the psrpetrator OF the crime, had
up to within riue months, been employed at
the same factory, and while there had
boarded ut the second house from that oc-
cupied by the girl, with family named La
Nesquo lie paid her considerable atten-
tion and upon several occasions called upon
her at her home. He was apparently des-
peratey in love with her and urged her to
become his wife. His love, however, was
not reciprocated and the girl in every way
possible discouraged his attentions.
Some nine months ago Massey went to
Marlboro to work, but frequently came to
Quincy Saturday nights and remained until
Monday morning when he would return to
Marlboro. Upon several OF these occasions
when rumor reached him that another gen
tlemap was paying attention to his lady
love, he would become very angry and jeal-
Gus and made the threat that 'if the Lafave
girl did not marry him she should not marry
anyone else Us he would shoot her, " which
threat he put into execution this morning
lie came to Quincy Saturday night from
Marlboro and stopped with a friend and
this morning, knowing that the object of
his affections would attend early mass, he
waited for her at the corner above men
tioued, As he knew that she must pass that
point on her way homs. Whether Massey
had any conversation with the girl is not
known, as the girl is too weak to talk and
those near heard nothing until the shots
were fired.