The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-03
BATTERED.
Mrs. Sophia Grant m%ysteriousIy Muir.
derad at Boston.
SISTER SUSPECTED OF CRIME.
Liquor May Have Played an
Important Part.
SUSPECTED OF CRIME.

Boston. Feb. 8-Mrs. Sophia Grant
aged 80 years, was murdered at 8y Brighton
street, Charlestown. Saturday night. Shs
and her sister, Mrs. Quinlan, were alone
In the house during the evening. Mrs
cuinlan went out TO the market about {
o'clock. When she returned at IL she
found Sophia lying on the kitchen floor
dressed In n ~nightdrcss, stockings and
slippers. She was lying face down In a
big pool OF blood with n deep gash Mt tho
base OF her skull and two others back OF
her left ear. The wounds were evidently
made with n blunt instrument.
Mrs. Ida Quinlan. the younger sister Of
Sophia Grant, has been seized upon rs tho
fruits OF police enthusiasm n lies
weeping Ia a cell at station 10. There Is
almost no evidence against her, save that
she was the last 10 see the living Sophia
Grant and the first to ilnd her dead.
No motive for the murder can be discov-
cred. And yet the murderer must have
been animated by the most passionate
hatred or by the most frcnzied insanity.
Not alone was Mrs. Grant killed Instantly
by a tremendous blow delivered from boz
hind, but her PROSTATE body was pounced
upon and hacked by repeated ASSAULT
with some rough. heavy instrume mt, dc.
liyered with quick feroclty.
Mrs. Grant Is more commonly known rs
Mrs. Mcleod, she having resumed her
maiden name after having separated from
her husband, James Grant, two years ago.
The McLeods knew nothing of this my
terious marriage until "a year after their
sister left her husband Mr.. Grant Is said
20 he In the dry goods business in Paw.
tuckct, X. /.
Mrs. Quinlan was placed under arrest
yesterday Mt the house where the murder
was committed. She was taken TO station
ID much against her will. When the ser.
geant arrived ut the station house with his
prisoner she was first taken into tho
guardroom. There she was severely cross.
examined as To her part In the Saturday
night affair.
Important Ciews.
Sergeant Fesscnden followed mp several
clews. bringing 20 light "a hatchet, q shovel
and n heavy stovc-liftcr. He requested
Mrs. Quinlan TO remove the dress shc was
wearing at the time. IL was the samc
garment she wore Saturday night when
she directed the officers 10 her home.
The dress and the hatchct, shovel and
stoye-liftcr will be taken 10 Professor
Wood OF Harvard. He will be requested
TO ascertain II certain stains which arc
upon the garment and each OF the threc
Instruments ARE blood stains or otherwise.
Mrs. Quinlan, after undergoing tho
cross-examination. was placed in n cell
In the afternoon she complained Of being
sick, and "a physician was summoned ia
attend her. He mado an examination os
the woman. Briefly. IL Is his belief that
the woman's condition Is similar to tho
condition OF persons whom he has OK.
amined previously. after which no has
pronounced their case as bordering closely
upon delirium tremcns.
1t seems Mrs. Quinlan's husband, who
is a freight conductor, ceased to live with
his wife some time ago, and made no So
cret Of the fact that his action was due to
Mrs. Quinlan's drinking habits and bad
temper.
During this timo he has allowed his wife
sufficient money 20 garb herself and chill.
.dref, bat -Hee-eaaugh to squander in
liquor. This, IL is said, has occasioned
constant friction, the woman sending mes
sengers to her husband demanding more
money.
David Quinlan Is n very popular man in
Charlestown, known To- = % man of do
nestle habits and good natured DISPOSE
ton. But the location, tho occupation,
the character Of the man Grant. remain q
mystery 10 the police.
Thus two women, one in jail, the other
dead, ave both been married md both
separated from their respective husbands.