New-York tribune., 1897-07-23
KILLED IN HIS OWN HOUSE.
BURGLARS MURDER AN OLD MAN NEAR
BRIDGEPORT, CONN.
HIS SISTER WHO LIVED WITH HIM. SHOT AND
WOUNDED AND FORCED TO DISCLOSE THE
HIDING PLACE OF HER MONEY
THE MURDERERs ESCAPE.


Bridgeport Conn. July 22.-Marcus G. Nichols
an old and wealthy farmer living in Daniels Farm
In the town Of Trumbu. was foully murdered by
two masked burglars at his home early TINS morn
ing His sister. Mary. who lived with him' was
seriously wounded and the murderers ana thie''s
went away after ransacking the house ana seci:-
ing money thought to be about s2oo IN amount
Daniels Farm the scene of the double crime Is
a small settlement situated In the town OF Trum-
bull on the Monroe Turnpike, about nine mics
north Of this city. In lonely house dwelt Marcus
G. Nichols. who was sixty-four years old and MS
maiden sister, Mary Nichols. hfty-hve years Old
Mr. Nichols had always borne the reputation OF
being wealthy, and was repued to have conceaiea
about the premises considerable money pesiues
stocks and bonds. The brother ana sister slep' al
rooms on the second floor OF their house. Iheir
nearest neighbors were five hundred feet away
About | o'clock this morning Mr. Nichols was
awakened by a suspicious noise. Miss Nichols was
also startled. and the two arose. ana hghihs
lamps proceeded TO the lower floor and waited
Suddenly the side door was burst open ana Two
masked men entered the room. AS soon as they
discovered the presence Of Mr.. Nichois ana MS
sister they whipped out revovers and one OF the
men fred at Mr. Nichols. the other at his sister.
The old man fell forward with bullet IN MS
breast. just over the heart His sister sank TO 'he
floor with a ball in her side. One of the burglars
stepped forward. according to Miss Nichols. VINO
had not lost consciousness. and hitting the uncon-
scious body of her brother TO chair placed III
his mouth liquor In which he had put some
sort of a powder. A few seconds later the ola man
slipped off the chair fell on his Knees, dropped lo'-
ward and died The burglars then removed Nj IS
Nichols TO the kitchen and began 10 search the
house -. I. Cd,
Miss Nichols left alone, debated as TO the best
plan of action Wounded though she was. she de,
cIded 10 undertake to reach the neghbors ana
had started for the door when one OF the M !
heard her. He summoned his companion, ana IN y
covered her with their revolyers; Ihe SPOKESMAN
announced their intention OF killing her u sne =
tempted to leave the house They also demmnaeI
and that OF her brother. She told them OF the
hiding place Of her funds and also disclosed the
sDot where some Of her brothers money would he
found The burglars continued the s.arch. ana
succeeded in finding about 500 They left strewni
all over the house certificates Of stock, bonds ana
other papers valued at abou: $1,000.
Some time tier they had gone MISS NichoIs gave
the alarm .,r Hill of Trumbu. was summoned,
and he found the woman 10 be seriously wounded.
The injury. however. will not necessarily prove
fatal There l. absolutely no clew TO the burglars
further than the description Miss Nc? )ls can fu'-
nish The methods of the men recall the Nichols
burglary In the town OF Nichols several weeks ago