The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-11-01
Fearful Murder in the
Town of Johnston.
Thomas Mclaughlin Without
Cause Killed His Mother.
He Attempted Suicide by Firing Bull
lets Into His Head.
The NEWS BUREAU, oLNEYvrnLr,
No. Hartford Ayanue

No. hafblora avenue.
Thomas Mclaughlin, 20 years OF age,
well known insOlneyville, without provo
cation shot ana instantly killed his
mother at her home at the corner OF
North Allen and Lexington streets. in the
town OF Johnston, at $3.50 O'Clock last
evening, and then attempted to take hi
own life.
Young Mclaughlin was born in the
four-tenement house where he killed his
mother. His father, Barney Mclaughlin,
was killed on the railroad about IL years
ago. Thomas, at one time, was employed
as clerk in one OF the local stores and of
recent years as hHcKman at Franklin
Brothers stable. While he -haS at times
been addicted TO drink, 1t was not GUS
tomary for him to use liquor to excess,
and there is no evidence TO show that he
had been drinking yesterday. The report
OF the shooting reached the ears of tho
Johnston police within a few moments
after 1t happened, as 1.-The house is but q
short distance from the police station on
the Latham plat, in what is known as the
swamp" district. 1t appears that the
widow, Mary Mclaughlin, was married
about the first of last month to James
McDoal, widower, 60 years old, about
her own age. This move on the part of
the mother was displeasing to Thomas,
who few days ago called at her home
and quarreled with her in regard to her
marriage, and made threats that he would
call later and clean out the house.
Mclaughlin and his wife, whom he
married about year ago, were preparing
TO remove TO Brooklyn, N. Y, where he
had secured a situation. AT the present
tire they reside on Delaine street.
Last evening he went TO the Hub Loan
Company on Olneyville square and pur-
chased self-cocking 81 calibsr revolver,
and box of cartridges. w. B. Reed, the
clerk, loaded ii for him.
4 - - y
rectly to his mothers house, where he
walked in and asked to see her 'mmcdi-
ately. He was informed that she was not
feeling very well and had retired. Then
he entered her chamber, which was stu
ated on the first floor on the side OF the
house looking toward the swamp. He
closed the door behind bin and what he
said or what his first movement was no
one can tell. His stepf6ther was in the
Kitchen, which he passed through. The
family in the other end of the house were
alarmed by shot a moment later after
he entered, followed by three more in
quick succession, then u bing OF glass.
Attempts to enter the room by the door
were made but ii would not open and
when, few moments later, entrance was
effected through the window by the
authorities II was found that the lifeiess
body of the murdered woman lying on
the floor against the door was what pre-
-
hole in her right temple showed the path
OF the fatal bullet. The single window
to the room was smashed out entirely,
where young Mclaughlin had escaped.
Search for him was made and at about
10 O'Clock officers Holland and Leonard
found him lying in the open field near
the city line in helpless condition where
he had fallen from weakness. He had
shot two bullets into his own head.
He was removed to the bridewell on PLAIN
field street, and medical attendance cali
ed. He was dangerously wounded. lie
claimed TO have visited the house with
the intention of committing suicide in the
presence OF his mother and that the first
shot he fired was at himself. She at
tempted to prevent him from taking his
life and the second shot hit her on the
head accidentally. The other he then
fired at himself. His attempt TO escape
and other incidents of the affair 40
not bear out his claim that he had
not intended harm 10 his mother. This
will never be proved as il Is believed that
ne cannot live the day ut and death will
remove all further vestigation OF tls
case His wife was notified ana remained
with him at the bridewell last night. The
medical examiner was called to view the
remains last night, but 1t was after
O'Clock this morning that he gave the
relatives of the deceased permission to
take charge of the body.
IL ia said that insanity has existed IL
the Mclaughlin family and il is thought,
that the murder was the product of an
unbalanced mind.