The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-01-20
E. A. Duff Of New Haven
a Double Murderer.
WIFE AND MOTHER -IN-LAW
Shot to Death-Boarder Riley Had
aNarrow Escape.
MARITAL TROUBLES THE CAUSE.

New Haven Jan. eo.-Edward A. Duff.
aged about 40. shot and killed his wife.
Nellie, and his mother-in-law, Mrs.
Mary Maher. at their home shortly be-
fore s o'clock last night. The affair
came near being triple tragedy. as
James Reilley. a boarder. was fired at.
but the bullet just grazed his neck.
The murder was probably the out
come of martial troubles. MIR. and Mrs.
Duff had been married about IA years.
but for the past two years have not lived
together. Duff is a machinist by trade
and latterly has been working in Hart
ford. IT is said that last Christmas
he called upon his wife and at the point
OF a pistol made her return TO Hartford
with him. She remained there but
very short time, when she suddenly re-
turned 20 her home here.
While Mrs. Duff and her mother and
Rellley were about 10 sit down TO supper
last evening, Duff again put in an APP
pearance and vehemently demanded that
his wife return 20 Hartford. Mrs. Maher
would not listen to her daughter leaving,
and then without more ado the husband
aimed a revolver at his wife and threat
ened to Kill her. She ran out OF the
house, followed by the apparently crazed
husband. and just as she reached the
front door to re-enter the house, she re-
ceived shot in the left lung. A sec
ond shot was fired as the woman turned
about, which struck her i'm the right
ear and passed through her head, kill
ing her instantly. The murderer then
went into the house and fired at Reilley.
but the bullet just grazed his neck and
he fled.
In the meantime Mrs. Maher had es-
capped TO the bedroom adjacent and
locked the door. but her refuge was OF
little avail, as Duff forced the door and
placing the revolver against her chin.
fired. the bullet shattering the law and
passing through the head Another bul.
let ives fired as the woman rolled over on
the bed. which pierced the left shoulder
and came out through the lyreast. and for
parting shot the man discharged the
revolver again at her. which struck and
shattered the right elbow. Then Duff
rushed into tho street. Despite the ex-
tent or her injuries. the aged woman
was able to walk from the cha.nber
through the dining room TO the kitchen
and was putting wat'r on her clothes.
which had been set afire when the shots
were fired. when she expired.
News Of the tragedy spread and
crowds gathered in the vicinity, but they
were held AZ bay. as none Of them dared
TO face the ugly looking weapon that the
murderer was hourishng about wildly.
Lieutenant Condor OF station four. fire
department. made an effort to approach
him. and Duff attempted 10 discharge
the revolver. but luckily il missed fire.
A detail OF police put H. an appearance,
and without any hesitancy Officer En-.
right rushed up 10 the murderer and
grasped him 10y the hand which held
the revolver. His companions followed
and after severe struggle disarmed
the murderer. He was then taken &c
the Grand avenue station and later re-
moved to headquarters
The revolver is Il six shot, 44-calibre
Colts, and is over a foot long. having
regular rife barrel. After committing
the murders. Duff rt'oader the revolver
before Going into the street. and when
searched al s,he police station several
cartridges were found on him.
The officers who made the arrest claim
that the murderer showed signs of liquor.
He has been arrested four times for
drunkenness and resisting an officer.
There are two children, BOY and girl,
aged 10 and " years respectively. who
made their homes 18th their mother.
They were not In the house at the time
OF the tragcdN