New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-06
SHOT HIS WIFE AND HIMSELF
THE WOMAN DIES INSTANTLY AND THE
MAN NOT LIKELY TO LIVE


HE WOULD BE SENT TO AN INSANE ASYLUM.
In the little sitting-room Of her home on the
third floor of the tencment-house No 1,49O
Second-ave.. Mrs. Barbara Hunt was shot and
instantly killed by her husband. Joseph b. Hunt,
yesterday morning. Their the murderer turned
the weapon himself aid sent bullet into his
brain. He was removed 10 the Presbyterian
Hospital in an unconscious condition and the
surgeons at the hospital said he would probably
die.
Hunt had been suffering for years from melan-
cholia and it decided last week to have him
committed in Yorkville Police Court to-day for
examination to his sanity. 1t is supposed that
Hunt obtained some inkng of this. and hence
his murderous action of yesterday morning. The
Hunts occupied three looms on the third floor
Of No 400 Sccond-ave. a large cot bed in the
couples room accommodated three Of the chill
drcn: Tessie. nine years old; George. seven and
Harry. five. Lotte. eleven years old. occupied
bed in the parlor. Hunt was paper-hanger ana
decorator. but he had do,e no work for some
months. owing to his meita condition
TRIED TO PAWN HIS NIFE's CLOTHING.
Mrs Hunt had been working during the last
two weeks for a millinery fir |. and on her return
home on Saturday night she found some oi her
clothing missing. She spoke 10 her huspahH
about IT, but he preserved a sulien silence ana
fearing that he had pawned the clothing Mrs.
Hunt sent for her brother, Frank A kanzer
travelling salesman. VIII" lives at NO 5o' hasl
Seventy-eighth-st. Kanzier asked Hunt what ne
had done with the clothing and the latter said
sullenly: They're there under the bed II You
want them" then ne added as If he had been
br,oding on the subject: you'll never send me
away anywhere. l can tell you
The clothing was found tied M in a paper pack
age Hunt flew into violent rage after the
Illustration OF his plan to pawn the clothes ana
It was late at night before he was quieieo ana
the Hunt family went to rest
There was not a word Of dispute between the
husband and wife yesterday morning. Dressed
only in hts undershirt and trousers Hunt walked
about the little parlor moody and silent. as was
his wont Mrs Hunt arose soon after her hus-
hand and Lotte went 20 bakery 10 buy some
bread for breakfast. Mrs. Hunt. who was par
tally dressed. seated herself near one OF the
front windows and began to comb her hair and
her husband chose this moment for sending his
unsuspecting wife into eternity
over near the mantle Hrnt stood for a 'ew
minutes and watched his wife. He then stole
quietly into the bedroom past the childrens Del
and opened the door ~ closet. He took ou'
an od-fashionei .44-calibre Colts navy reFoiNer.
All the six chambers were loaded. ana h'n-
ing the weapon concealed back 4 him. Hunt
walked softly back into the parlor and over -
his wife's chair.
THE WOMAN KILLED INSTANTLY.
She was no, aware Il his presence until he was
almost up to her. then she looked ny just IN
time 10 see the enormous revolver within i""
inches - her face She had time t. speak
or do more than draw back her head wheh
the shot was frea. It struck near the leit eye
and the ball passed through the brain. nactured
the base Of the skull and lodged INSIDE the scaIp
about two inches back Of the right ear Dea'h Was
--ytartaneous and the woman's head dropped
over against the window while she reinaliled
seated in the chair Hardly waiting u see tht
effect OF his shot Hunt still silent. stepped DacN
a pace and with his eyes fixed on the woman u.
had killed he placed tre revolver back o' ms
right ear and ircd. With the explosion 'e
dropped bleeding and unconscious.
so quickly had one shot succceAeA 'he o3"r. ,
tina; the children. who jumped from me p'I d.
the first report. barely gained IN" bedroom Hp'r
when their father tell fatally WOUNDED, I" n"
noor Shr!eking w!ir terror. these niue on
ran I'D the stairs 10 the apartments % Louis
Davis on the fourth floor Davis ana his wife
had both heard the shots and met the children
at the head Of the stairs ~ -,
killed mamma and himself too" Then the chlid
fell almost fainting 10 the Moor
Mrs Davis waited 10 hear no more but rushrd
around the corner to Frank Kanzlcr's house IN
Soventy-eighth-st.. followed by her husband.
Kanzlcr Immediately went 10 the Hunt apart
msnts He found Nj Hun; partially conscious;
bent over the PROSTATE man.
The reply. half-whisper, sounded IKE bcca"S'
/ wanted to-
Kanzler placed a pillow under the head Of the
diving man who rapidly lost consciousnets III
the mean time Mr Davis had summoned Pohce-
ma, Thorn,e DDnneuy Of the Eas. sixty
seventh-st. station. who summoned an aiiibu-
lance and had Hunt taken to the hospital
THAT man should have been taken 10 an
asvIun months ago" said Mr.. KanZer yestcr-
dav "Te has becn insane for more man thre'
wears He thought every one was against MN,
Thev wanted 10 poison him. he said. and ne could
moi no in,uced To take "A glass Of beer unless ne
bought it himself | spoke 10 my sister las,
Thursday about the matter. and we had intcndeu
to have him taken 70 Yorkville Cou.i a.. Mon
dav and committed to Bellevue Hospital for "X-
nnina,ion D. H. s. tier. 81 East seventy
eichth-st. examined Hunt and said NJ was crazy
but harmless"
UFp DOTL FOTND ~ TIE U47ER.