Evening journal., 1896-07-20
MAD HUSBANDS CRIME
Shot His Wife Eight Times and
Tried to Kill Himself.
he DEFIBD A POSSE OF CITIZENS.

Chased TO River, He Sent BALL Into
His own Head and Tried 20 Drown
HiinseIf--saved by the Prompt Arrival
of the Police. s.g
RocKFoRD, Ills, July 20.--Thls city
was shocked by an attempted double muir
der which occurred in the heart OF the best
resident portion Of Rockford Mrs James
French was standing at tho corner OF
North Winnekago and North streets talk
ing with a friend when hor husband, a
merchant tailor, from whom She was sep
arated two months ago approached and
announced that he was going TO Kill her
Mra. Fitzpatrick, with whom Mrs
French was talking, tainted away as
French drew q revolver from bis pocket
and shot his wife in the breast Mrs
French started to run west across the
street, tho murderons husband following
her closely and pouring a yolley OF bullets
at her.
The residence of Orange r. Gorhnm
was tho nearest at hand, and into this the
screaming woman attempted TO sock ref
nge. Twice she got her hand on the knob
OF the screen door, aud each TIME SHE was
dragged baok on the porch by her frenzied
husband. an awful struggle taking plnoe,
during which several bullets pierced the
face and body Of the woman. On the third
attempt she got the door open, no pur-
suing her closely, and in the parlors OF
She Gorham home another desperate strug-
/ gle took place.
In tho meantime the entiro peighbor-
hood had been aroused by the pistol re-
ports, and many rushed toward the house.
| Mrs. Gorham, who was up stairs alone,
was held at bay by tho murderer and could
not come down. Alfred Barker, who lives
noxt door, was the first to enter the house,
and In attempting to grapple with Fronch
he was shot through the arm but the
wound will not prove serious. County
| Clerk M. A. Norton was the next one In
and lodged behind door just In time to
escape bullet which was intended for
him. Others who entered were also fred
at, but mono was injured.
Eight Wounds In Her Body.
Mrs. French lay dead on the fioor, with
| eight wounds In her body, several shots
intended for her having missed their
mark Aftor completing his deadly work
French ran out OF the front door, discard
ed an empty revolver on the lawn pulled
another from his pocket, which be began
loading as he started to rum north on
Wlnnebago street.
Many nelghbors Joined In the chase
after him with all kinds Of implements
from rocks to revolvers, but none wat
successful In bringing him down. Profess
or Bryan Wade took two shots at him
from an upper window as he passed his
home, but they were Ineffective. The
| murderer ran three blocks north in Win
nebago street and then TOOK an eastward
course, cutting through yards for -four
blocks, until he reached the bank OF Roch
river the mob OF citizens In close pursuit
There be sent bullet into his owr
head and then jumped into the river, bu
was sensible enough to prevent himsel
from drowning until the police arrive,
and dragged him from the water and cart
cd him off 10 the county jail. In all h
used three six shooting royolvefs an
when searched a long stiletto was foun
strapped to his log with a rubber band
| The bullet is still in his head, and the ply
sicians are unable to say whether th
wound Will prove fatal or not, althoug
It Is believed he viii not die.
French was OF Italian parentaEe, an
has lived here for six or seven years. Mrs
French was Of Irish parentage. a hand
some young woman, 26 years old and Dor
an excellent reputation. He was iDsanel,
Jealous OF her, and twice she has beel
Obliged 70 separate from him on acootf
OF his vicious temper, the last time oul,
about two months ago He had Threatened
on several occasions to kill her. The,
have only one child, years old. On
cousin in Now York Is the only relatN'
! Tronoh fe .lrpox.yn fo havo fn thf1 oonr,trv
The ooroner's jury held him for murde
In the first degree. The quick trip mad
by patrol wagon was tho only thing tha
prevented him from being lynched whoi
taken from the river by the angry mob o
citizens whom he had given him the Ion
chnse.