The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-08-17
MURDER and SUICIDE
Corbett's Father Kills His
Wife and Himself.
INSTANT DEATH TO BOTH
Crime Probably Due to
Temporary Insanity
INSTANT DEATH TO BOTH

San Francisco, Aug. 16.-Parick ]. Cor
bett, father of James J. Corbett, the
pugilist shot and killed his wife at an
early hour this morning. He then turned
the revolver upon himself and committed
suicide. The hypothesis accepted by the
family and the intimate acquaintances
and friends Of the household is that Mr..
Corbett was laboring under the effects
of temporary insanity.
The terrible tragedy OCCURRED at the
Corbett home, $40 Hayes street, over the
livery stable owned by the elder Corbett.
As near as the time can be fixed, the
shots rang out at 4:5o o'clock a. M, Mrs
Corbett being killed as she was lying
asleep IN her bed. So far as can be as
certained, there was not the slightest
reason why the husband should have
sought TO wreak such awful vengeance
upon his wife. as for nearly half a cen
fury the couple have lived happily and in
prfect contentment together. Indeed,
during last evening they had chatted
pleasantly together about their freside
with two of their daughters and at an
early hour had retired, without the slight
est indication having been given of what
was to follow within the next few hours.
With Mr. aand Mrs. Corbett resided
their two unmarried daughters, Cathe-
rine and Esther. and a married daughter,
Mrs. Charles Aking, with her husband.
When Mr.. Corbett purchased the pistol
no one seems to know. Apparently, as
he was never known to keep a weapon
in the house before, he had purchas ed
this one with an object. Whether during
his temporary spelly of insanity he had
contemplated the deed no one can tell.
There is little doubt that what Mr..
Corbett was temporarily insane when he
committed this horrible deed, and ne in
herited the mania from his ancestors.
His sister, Margaret Griffin, is now an in
mate of the Napa insane asylum, having
been confined there six years. As in the
case of her brother, her insanity was
periodic.
Both the old people were natives of
ireland, Mr.. Corbett being &C years old
and his wife four years younger. The
funeral ceremonies will not be delayed
until Jim arrives from the east, but the
bodies viii be placed in vaults.
JIM CORBETT GETS THE NEWS
New York. Aug. 16-James j. Corbett
was much shocked when he learned OF
the death Of his parents. At first ne re-
fused to believe it, but when the news
was confirmed he broke down and wept
like a child. His trainers, McVey and
White tried to console him, but to no
purpose Corbett said that his father
must have become insane or he would
not have committed such terrible deed.
e could not account for 1t in any other
way Both mis- father and mother ne said,
took a deep interest in his affairs and
keenly felt his defeat by Fitzsimmons at
Carson City. They both wanted dim TO
retire from the ring after that.
Corbett said that until he had received
more definite information from California
he could not say what his future plans
would be.
COrbett, after a consultation with some
of mis- friends had something further to
say about the tragedy in San Francisco. i
He said that he received letters on
Saturday informing him that mis- fathers
mind had become unbalanced, and he
therefore thought that while suffering
mentally his father committed the double
crime. Corbett said he mad telegraphed
to San Francisco and that he would leave
for the coast this evening If the bodies
are held until he can arrive. He says
he will send his brother Joe home any
way. At present he could not say what
would be done about his fight with Nc
Coy. He declared that if it was necessary
ne would forfeit the $500 he had up He
would not have signed to fight again, he
declared, had it not been that he was the
chief support of the family. He says
that what he makes hereafter will go to
help support his brothers and sisters. just
as he gave funds heretofore. He there
fore says that IT may be necessary for
him 70 fight Mccoy In order to obtain
money TO support the family.
KID MCCOY Is GENEROUS.
Saratoga, \. Y. Aug. 16.-When Kid
Mccoy learned tonight Of the tragic death
of Jim Corbett's parents, ne Immediately
wired coincidence 10 Corbett at Asbury
Park, and in view of postponement OF
the match scheduled TO take place at
Buffalo on September 10. telegraphed that
he would not claim forfeit Mccoy left
at midnight Tor New York Civ