The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-12-30

krathofsh was hanged at 1912 a. M
today for the murder of his stepdaugh-
ter. Victoria Pinkus. There were no
unusual incidents.
The murder was committed on the
morning of Jan. L.. 1897. in squalid
basement tenement at IS Sharon street
in this city. il was cold -blooded and
cruel, the result OF jealousy and anger,
the first the outgrowth of the lustful
love of the murderer, the other the re-
suit OF complaint made TO the police
by the victim.
Living in the one small tenement con-
sisting of three rooms a kitchen and
two bedrooms, was the murderer. his
wife and her three children by former
marriage. and three other persons, two
men and woman. There was In the
family no sense of moral wrong. and
the children were accustomed To wit
ness sights OF sin and suffering of
shameful nature.
ON Dec. 30. 1896, Krafthofski was re-
leased from jail, after serving a three
months sentence for drunkenness.
After his release. he abused his wife
and the children frequently, kept drunk
a good share OF the time, and gave no
aid at all toward his own or the sup
port OF the family. He ruined Victoria,
the 16-year-old daughter of his wife,
and I'm jealousy and anger. killed her.
On Saturday afternoon, Jan. IS, the
day before the murder, Victoria and
her mother went TO the police station
and made complaint OF the abuse OF
krathofski. The man saw them leave
the house and. suspecting their motive,
followed them and saw them enter the |
police station. |
On their return to the house he told |
them that they had tried TO have him |
arrested again and said that he would |
never again he arrested as he would |
kill them, rather than go to Jail. That /
night he brought two companions To the |
house and they remained late. drinking |
with him. After they left Krathofsli |
a gain began TO abuse his wife and Vic
toria, and threatened To kill them IL
they did not keep away from the police.
At late hour the family retired.
occupied one of the bed |
rooms with the two younger children,
Anna, a bright girl of IL, and John. a
boy OF 3. Victoria and her mother oc-
a. |
and "a woman occupied mattress on
the floor of the same room, while an
)ther man slept i'm the second bedroom. |
About 7:15 o'clock the next morning
Mrs. Krathofski arose leaving Victoria |
sleeping on the narrow cot and went |
nut doors. Krathofski also arose and
dressed and entered the kitchen. He !
began at once TO abuse the girl. She
him back sharply and he re-
ired to the sleeping room, where he
procured "a revolver. Returning To the
Sitchen he stepped up TO the cot and.
Ilacing the weapon near the girl as she | ,
lalf arose from the cot 10 protect her
elf. he fired.
With a scream. the girl jumped from
he cot and rushed toward the bedroom ,
n which were the two children, pre-
umably In the hope OF escaping that
say. Krathofski fired again just as
he reached the door and she fell TO
he floor across the threshold. Then
he murderer turned the weapon on I
imself and fred two shots. one of
ihich glanced from suspender buckle
nd did no harm. the other entering his
cad Just in front OF the ear.
The two little children were witnesses {
the death OF Victoria and the at I
smpted suicide OF the murderer. Little :
.nna went to the police station and in :
,rmed the police OF what had occurred 1
atrolman Atkins left the station for i
ne scene Of the murder with the child 4
nd. meeting krathofski on the way .
rrested him and took him 10 the sta I
on.