The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-11-02
Shot and Killed His Wife
and Little Son.
DAUGHTER ALSO SHOT.
Husband aud Father Then Tried TO
Take His Own Life.
He IS BELIEVED TO BE INSANE.

Worcester. Mass, Nov g Edward Ham
1ton. for 25 years an employe OF the
Worcester county Institution for Savings
this morning shot and killed his wife
and son and fatally wounded his daugh-
ter. The murderer then shot himself
with probably fatal results. Hamilton
and the wounded child were removed TO
the city hospital. The shooting occurred
at O'Clock this morning at Hamilton's
residence, SO William street. Hami ton
had been in III health for few months
past and had suffered from neuralgia Of
the head. he had practically lived on
opiates for number of weeks and Is
supposed TO have suddenly become insane.
IL appears that tho only witness to the
tragedy was the domestic employed in
the Hamilton household. As soon as
the news of the tragedy was reported 10
the police officers were sent TO guard the
house and Inspectors O'Day and Stone
were detailed on the case.
The servant girl was at once conducted
to police headquarters and was clnseted
for over an hour with Chief OF Police
brennan. The Hamiltons had lived at go
West street up TO few days ago, when
they removed 10 William street. Nj.
Hamilton was married about seven years
ago 10 Katherine Long, professional
nurse, who had nursed him during n
severe illness from pneumonia. Their
married life had always been regarded ns
a happy one, and they were blessed with
two children, "A girl, Katherine Prescott,
aged about three years and boy, Edward
Prescott, about one and half years old.
Ii was difficult to get at the facts this
morning but II was stated 10 % neighbor
that shots were heard about Z O'CLOCK. 1t
is said that Hamilton became seized with
a manacal fury shortly after rising, and
taking his revolver began shooting at his
life and children. The wife and little
boy were almost instantly killed. The
daughter was fatally wounded, and the
father completed the ghastly work by
turning the revolver on himself.
AT the hospital IL was said that Hamil-
ton had cf1uncr OF recovery.
The sleeping apartments OF the family
are on the second floor and the three
victims OF the tragedy were In the rooms
fronting on the street.
Mrs. Hamilton was shot first. The bull
LET passed through her right temple and
must have killed her instantly. Mr..
Hamilton then passed into the room
where the baby girl was sleeping, shot
her and then went 10 the third room, the
one at the extreme right and shot the
DOy. IHcn u" hpplleu tne weapon 10 his
own head ~ q rred. The weapon used
was a SO cali ore revolver. Only the four
shots were fired.
Mr.. Hamilton has been i'll since Friday
and there Is no doubt that he was not i'm
his right mind.
Medical Examiner Dr. Baker VINO was
summoned, gave this as his opinion
Hamilton ana the little girl were taken
TO the hospital, where Ii was said the for
mer could not recover. Hamilton OK
pressed the wish that his wound would
be fatal.
Charles A. Chase treasurer of the
Worcester County Institution for Savings
was seen this morning and he said that
Mr. Hamilton had been in the employ of
the bank since Jan. /, 1855, having en-
ssred Immediately after finishing his high
school course. lie had held different DO
sitions up to that of chief accountant
DO you think anything was wrong
relative TO money matters In the bankg''
was asked.
"No, be had nothing to do with the
hsndling of money. His duty was to look
after and kep tneaaccounts. and those
were all right
MR. Hamilton bad not been at the bank
since last Thursday. Friday morning his
wife teephoned that be was not feeling
we'll and that he would not he down. Ii
10 said that he had not been I'm vigorous
health for IL years. Ii was not thought
however, that his mind was affected ne
suffered greatly from headache and ire
queDtly would have 10 remain at home
FOR days at time. He was 81 years OF
age and MAS one Of the oldest members of
the Quinsigamond Boat club.
Chief of Police James M. brennan.
whel seen by reporter today said:
II believe hr. Hamilton was an insane
man. He had been sicinfince last Friday
and complained of lin in his head
The shooting was an unfortunate affair
and q shock TO the community.
MARY Malone, the servant girl who
me this morning and told the following
story:
She had oecp employed by the Ham
liton family for the past six mo aths. She
had never heard Of or saw toe slightest
trouble In tbs family.
Mr. Hamilton seemed 20 think Oh,
world OF bis wife and children lut
seemtd TO be troubled with his head ever
since last Friday when be was taken
sict and was unable TO attard 10 his
duties ct tho hank.
lie had hesn up and down Ia tre
house, but did not venture out Of door
lie expressed n wish yesterday that no
might attend 20 his duties az the bank.
ne arose, but bad TO 40 to bed again. He
afterward arose and Mrs Hamilton az.
tended the funcraal Of a friend Whom
Mrs. Hamilton returned home tho two
had dinner. Mrs Hamilton ate very
heartily. but MIR Hamilton haa n v,ty
poor appetite and ate little. Mrs. Hamii
ton helpd the girl TO put the children 10
ted. shortly ffter dinner WIS the last
time the girl saw Mrs Hamilton alive.
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