The record-union., 1898-03-18
]. N. Moffet Shoots and instantly
Kills His Wife,
Then Makes an Unsuccessful Attempt to
End His Own Life.
ST. Helena Thrown Into a Fever OF
Excitement Over the Murder Of
Victorine Sasseli by julius
BONN and the Suicide Of the
Latter on the Road Leading
From That Town to Napa City.

OAKLAND, March III. II. Moffet
shot and killed his wife, Lucy, early
this morning, and then attempted to
commit suicide by turning the weapon
with which he committed the murder
upon himself.
Moifet was formerly President of the
Carpenters Union in this city, and
fairly prosperous, but for some time
past mas been out of work and depend
ent upon his wife, VINO also supported
her widowed daughter and two chill
dren, by dressmaking.
The quintet resided in a comfort
able cottage at $40 San Pablo avenue,
upon which there was mortgage for
$I00. Last night Moffet quarreled with
his wife about the payments upon this
mortgage, but when the family retired
there were no indications of further
trouble
AT { o'clock this morning Mrs. Moffet,
who had been sleeping with her daugh.
ter, arose and went out to the wood
shed in the rear of the cottage for some
kindhng. While she was gathering
the wood Moffet followed her, and upon
reaching the shed produced a pistol
and shot her in the left breast and
again in the cheek, without a word of
warning. The first shot pierced the
Woman's heart, and she fell dead at
her husbands feet, and after firing the
second shot Moffet turned the weapon
upon himself the bullet entering his
throat and emerging from his fore
head. He was removed to the Receiv-
ing Hospital in an unconscious condi-
ton, but his injury is not considered
fatal one by the physicians
NAPA COUNTY'S TRAGEDY.
ST. HELENA, March list Helena
has again been thrown into a fever of
excitement by murder, hardly less
sensational than that of the Clark
fratricide. The victim is Miss Victor
inc Sasseii, and her murderer Julius
Bohn, ended his own life a moment af-
ter he fired the bullet into the head of
the girl. The tragedy, as stated in yes
terday's dispatches, occurred on the
road between here and Napa.
Bonn and Miss Sasseli had for some
time been engaged to be married, but
the family of Miss Sasseli was we'll
todo, while Bohn was only a laborer
IN the employ of S. Sievers & Co., wine
merchants. Bohn was anxious to be
married at once, but the girl. believ-
ing he was yet unable to support her in
the style to which she was accustomed.
refused to consent to his wish. although
being willing to maintain the engage
ment
Yesterday Bohn received $500 from
ms parents to enable him to marry.
and last evening drove out to the Sas-
sell place in Chiles Valley. Learning
that bis fiance had driven into St. Hell
ena, ten miles distant. with her father.
Bonn said he would go to meet them
When near st. Helena he encountered
them driving homeward. and invited
the girl to enter his conveyance She
declined the invitation She continued
her refusals, despite much urging. un-
til Ter father joined his entreatv to
that of her lover
1t will be all right, Victorine," said
her father, and the girl reluctantly
made the change.
NO sooner was Miss Sasseli seated
in Bohn's buggy than he urged his
morse, ana was soon out of sight of Mr..
Sassali. Half an hour later SasseIi
Iouhd lying in the middle of the road
the dead body of Julius Bohn. Fear
ing danger to his daughter, he hurried
on, but when he reached home he found
VictoriDe dead. with a bullet hole in
her temple. The horse had galloped
into the yard dragging the body of the
girl, whose dress had caught on the
step of the buggy
1t IS supposed that Bohn renewed
his request for an early marriage, and
that Miss Sasseli again refusing, he
shot her first, and then himself.