The times., 1899-06-04
A Blind LOVERS
DESPERATE Deed
Wounds His Sweetheart and
Murders Her Mother.
Steals Into Their Home to Find the
Former Has Deceived Him.
William Mccormick. the Criminal, N
Leading Politician and Business
Man of Uniontown, PA.

Uniontown. Pa. June 3.-Mrs. Minerva
Monaghan was murdered in her home in
jefferson Street early this morning by
Councilman William c. Mccormick. who
also assaulted and seriously injured her
daughter. Mrs. Gertrude McGoghan. and
his rival. Richard Diffenderfer. The trag-
edy was committed in a fit of jealousy bor-
dering on insanity. A peculiar feature of
the story is that the murderer is blind.
The story as developed at the coroner's
inquest shows that Mccormick has been
paying attentions to Mrs. McGoghan ever
since she was separated from her husband,
a few years ago. and they had an under
standing that she was to receive no other
company He made his usual call last
night, until finally she complained of be-
ing sick and requested Mccormick to go
home This he did, but for some reason
he was suspicious and decided TO await de-
yelopments. 1t appears that Mrs McGog-
han had an engagement with Dlffenderfer.
Mccormick in some way learned of it. but
how he has not yet told. and an hour or
so after his rival went into the house Nc
Cormick groped his way to the parlor
door. only to find IT locked. He then hoistei
the front parlor window, removed his
Shoes and effected an entrance that way
He felt his way along the hall and up the
stairs until he reached a room where he
heard his sweetheart and rival talking
The door was locked, but he broke it open
and stumbled into the room.
As Mccormick burst in, Difenderfer
testified. he said he had come TO kill them.
Mrs. McGoghan met him at the door and
was knocked down by Mccormick. who
struck her with large water pitcher Diff
fenderfer tried TO escape but Mccormick
seized him and cut two gashes across his
back. Finally Diffenderfer broke loose
and ran down the stairs. Mccormick re-
newed his vicious attack on Mrs McGog-
han. who struggled out into the hall He
struck her over the head with something
he held In his right hand, infiicting ter
ribie gashes at each thrust. He was still
siashing her and declaring he would end
her life when her mother Mrs Monaghan.
appeared. She vas sitting up with sick
member of the family and was in her night
Clothes Mrs. Monaghan shouted "WfIl,
don't Kill her." but he replied with curses
and fiercer strokes. Then Mrs Monaghan
advanced and took hold OF Mccormick as
though to pacify him. As she did so he
made vicious thrust at her, driving the
knife or whatever weapon il was that he
held in his hand into her neck She threw
up her hands and fell muttering feebly.
Oh. he has killed me; my throat is cut"
Mccormick groped around In the dark
vi he found his victim and dragged her
into the bathroom, where he dashed water
into her face in a vain attempt to resus-
ciate her. Mrs. McGoghan hoisted the
window, gave the alarm, and then ran
from the house. She was met By some
neighbors, who took her to DR.. Hackner's
ONCE nearby. where the dozen or Eiore
wounds on her head and face were dressed.
Mccormick, left alone with his victim,
felt, his way down the stairs and out into
the street He went to his home. where
he was found and taken TO jail, being
placed in charge of his brother, Sheriff
George Mccormick. of this county. Young
Difenderfer was also arrested for COM
piicity in the crime, but was released.
Later in the evening he and Mrs. McGoghan
were both placed under arrest TO thwart
a rumored attempt TO spirit them away.
They have been released on bail.
The coroner's jury completed their work
at 8 o'clock tonight, finding that Mrs.
Monaghan was stabbed to death by Nc
Cormick.
Mccormick is one of the leading poll
ticians and business men of this county.
For fourteen years he has been elected TO
the council from a strongly Republican
ward. though he is Democrat. He was
manager of the baseball team which won
the amateur championship Of Pennsylvania
for several years