The sun., 1898-01-20
MURDERER OFTWO WOMEN
EDWARD DUFF KILLS WIFE AND
EOTHER-IN-LAW IN NEW HAVEN.

He was q worthless Fellow ana MS wire
Refused TO 90 10 Another Town TO Live
with HHim-Elis Answer 70 Her Refusal was y
Dsuble Murder ana tho woundinE OF n Map
NEW HAVEN, Jan. 10.-Edward Duff, aged
40, n mechanic, shot and killed his wife and
mothor-in-law, Mary Maher, in this city at 8
o'clock this evening. He also shot at and
wounded John Richly, q boarder In Mrs. Mahor Q
house. Riellys wound is in the mock, the bull
let tearing the flesh slightly. Duff and his
wife have not been living together for somo
time on account Of Duff's incorporate habits,
which were the cause of his inability to support
his wife and little daughter, aged 10. He found
work in Middletown few weeks ago and called
on his wife hero on Monday night and asked
her to prepare to move to Middletown and live
with him. She refused TO do so until she was
more convinced Of his expressed inclination to
do:better.
Duff remained over night and renewed his
ontroaties this morning, but did not succeed in
shaking his wife In her determination. He left
the house and began drinking. and in the after
noon bought brand new revolver carrying o
ball of ~ calibre. He went to Mrs. Maher D
about o'clock and again besought his wife to
change her mind and 60 with him to Middle
town. She noticed that he had been drinking,
and, desiring to prevent a continuance of the
conversation, started to leave the house on st.
John street by tho front door.
He followed her, and she had reached tho
sidewalk when he pulled the revolver from his
pocket and shot her In the back. She fell at
the gate. He went to her, and, standing over
her. sent another ball through her breast. She
died instantly. He returned to tho house, and
roing to room where his wife's mother, Mrs.
Maher was sewing, unconscious Of the tragedy
on the sidewalk, shot her in tho neck and shoul-
der. She, too, died almost at once. Before she
did she screamed:
I'm shot"
The boarder, Reilly, who was shaving in an
adjoining room, heard the noise'an ran to Mrs.
Maher and met Duff coming from the sewing
room with the revolver in his hands. Reilly
asked Duff what he had done and he received as a
ran of, and Duff took TO the street. He passed
over the BODY of his wife as 1t lay on the walk.
He aimed at her again. but the cartridge failed
Duff took from his pocket fvo moro car
tridges, enough TO fill the remaining chambers,
from which he removed the empty shells, and
by tho time ho had reflled it a crowd of neigh
turned his mind to thoughts OF escape. for he
walked briskly down the street for block, car
ryng the reVSyer 70 yer exposed pSr n6d an tne Tine n5,
policemen from the Grand avenue precinct
rushed up the street. The crowd of excited
men from the neighboring factories pointed to
Duff as he went up the street Lieut. Doherty
of Engine No. 4 ATTEMPTED to intercept Duff,
but was held of by Duff, who aimed his pistol,
threatening him, saying:
Don't come near mo or I will put a hole in
you, too"
These words were ringing in Doherty's cars
as the police patrol wagon drew up to the curb.
Duff turned as the three policemen dismounted
and again aimed his pistol, threatening to shoot.
like q tissrr.,but was disurnied IN a second. fse
resisted with the strength of a niadman when
they sought to put, him into the wagon and
he was subdued only after severe clubbing.
He was punished SO severely. that Police Sur
gcon Louis J. Gaynor was obliged to spend an
hour with him this evening sewing up scalp
wounds and wrapping his head in bandages.
Duff was Immediately taken to Police Head
quarters after his arrest He resented all at.
tempts to draw him into conversation about
his crime, even refusing 10 talk with DIR. Gay
nor. Tho bodies Of Mrs: Duff and Mrs. Maher
were removed to the Morguc. Mrs. Duff is
spoken OF ns An industrious woman. She was
about 80 years old and was born and brought
up in New Haven. Mrs. Maher was the widow
OF a respected Irish settler, Thomas Maher, who
accumulated considerable desirable property
on Grand avenue.