Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-09-20
SHOT HIS WIFE AT A DANCE.
Strange and Terrible Tragedy in a
House at Tacony.

Cause Known for the Awful Deed.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Sept ia
merry-making in one of the prettiest
homes in Tacony was plunged into
direst distress by strange and terrible
tragedy early yesterday morning.
Samuel A. Fitzpatrick, one of the best.
known residents of the suburb, with no
apparent motive, shot bis wife, Rose,
and badly wounded Edward Price, one
of his guests, who sprang to save her
Fitzpatrick was arrested, and when ar
raigned before Magistrate South seemed
entirely dazed. Mrs. Fitzpatrick and
her children were holding party at
their house, No. 1854 Marsden street,
which is handsome two.story brick
with mansard roof The parlors were
crowded with some of the best people
of the town. Fitzpatrick had been
dancing with his wife and apparently
enjoying the occasion, but left her for
few moments and went up stairs to his
own room, where he remained about 10
minutes.
RETURNED WITH PISTOL.
It was lis o'clock in the morning,
when all of sudden Fitzpatrick re-
lullGN W lut phllbl WIN IL lbNOlNCl III
his hand. A demoniac smile spread over
his face as he stepped in front of his
wife, and, raising the pistol, he placed
the muzzle close up against her abdo-
men and fired. With scream she sank
back, and just as Price, who was stand.
ing by her side talking to her, reached
out his arm to support her the frenzied
man fired another shot into her abdomen
within couple of inches of where the
first had entered. Out of Prices grasp
she sank with groan upon the richly
carpeted floor. At the same moment
Fitzpatrick again raised his pistol and
pointing it at Prices breast fired, the
ball passing through the muscles Of
Prices arm below the armpit on the
inside. Fitzpatrick dashed out of tho
house by tine front door, dropping his
| pistol on the way, and ran with light
ming speed towards tho police station,
several squares distant.
RAN INTO THE ARMS OF POLICEMEN.
While some remained to look after
the wounded woman, others followed
the fleeing husband, crying "Stop the
murdereEW
At Washington street he ran into the
arms of Policemen Milligan and Con-
over, with whom he struggled for q
moment and then submitted 10 being led
to the station house, where he was
locked up.
Meanwhile, a scene of wild commotion
was going on inside the house where
the shooting had taken place. AS Price
although himself wounded, bent oyel
her, Mrs. Fitzpatrick looked up into his
face and said;
"Oh. God How sorry | am you had
TO be shot for me. | hope l may live
for my poor babies" Then she relapsed
into u swoon.
DR.. Umstead was called in and aftei
hasty examination of the injuries
said, with u melancholy shake of hi;
head: "rhey are mortal wounds"
Mrs. Fitzpatrick fingered until 1.3(
p. M, yesterday, IL hours after thu
shooting, when she expired.
NO ONE ABLE TO AscRIBE A MOTIVE.
None Of all those present nor anyon,
else in Tacony can form any idea o.
killpatrick's motive for the shooting.
Mr.. and Mrs. Fitzpatrick had Eeve
had any trouble, but on the contrary
had lived a most peaceable and happy
life. Fitzpatrick has lived nearly al
his life in TaCony. He is naturally o
happy and jovlal disposition and wa
general favorite with every one, an(
according to remark made by one .
his old friends last evening, his sol
object in life appeared to be to confe
pleasure wherever he went. Flo
u few days his friends hay
noticed that he appeared morose a
: times, but usually he was in his &C
cnstomed spirits and nothing wa
thought of his actions until they wer
recalled by tue news of his insane ACT
When arraigned before Magistrat
South at Z o'clock yesterday mornin
l he appeared dazed, shook like an aspe
and refused TO answer any question
: put to him as to his motive for the deed
I he was committed to prison.
: Fitzpatrick is As years old, son G
5 the late Samuel Fitzpatrick, the frs
superintendent of the House Of CorreC
3 ton when j. was built some 20 year
e ago. The murderer was for many veal
Y clerk in the institution, but was di;
1 charged two years ago because OF som
y irregularities in his system of bookkeeI
ing, since which time he has not bee
d regularly employed anywhere, and Wa
c sand to be Respondent on that accoun
I The victim of his murderous rage wa
u considered one of the prettiest wome
g Of her age in Tucony. She was 40 veal
old, of medium height, and OF stot
e build. She was the mot4er of 81
a children, aud the family moved in tn
# best circles in Tacony. She had 5000
S worth of property in her own right,an
n before she died she executed her will i
s the presence Of Magistrate Smith, an
e made brief ante .mortem statement.
Price Is an ex-policeman, 30 yea
old, and resides at State road and Pen
street. lie was very warm friend
v the family, and often visited their hon
He is under the treatment of his fami
# physician, and while he will probabl
o not lose his arm, he will no doubt |
q crippled for life.