New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-26
FIGHT ENDS IN PARRIClDE.
SON pLuNGEs KNIFE INTO HIS FATHERS
NECK AT CHRISTMAS DINNER.
THE PARENTS ANGER OVER PRESENTS TO
HIS WIFE AND THREAT TO KILL HIS

THE PARENTS ANGER OVER PRESENTS TO
HIS WIFE AND THREAT TO KILL HIS
FAMILY PROMPTED THE DEED.
cbrstmas gifts brought trouble into the home
~ the Harfners. at No. $50 Atlantic-ave.. Brook
ivn. Yesterday Harry Haffner. nineteen years
old "a locked I'D in the Grand-ave. station on
the charge of killing his father. Charles Hammer
There was a quarrel The father criticized ana
DESTROYED some gifts which the son had made 10
Mis- mother. At the dinner table Mr.. Hammer
struck Harry violent blow in the race IL
was the elimination of provocation, and In an
instant the young man had plunged sharp
carving knife into his fathers neck. FROM
severed jugular vein the blood spurted on the
white cloth and the wounded man dropped 10
enc floor and died before the arrival of an am
pulance surgeon. In Ave minutes the parricide
mad been arrested. In the station house he
broke down and cried bitterly when he realized
what he had done
will they kill me for ths?" he asked. II
tell you Sergeant had to do 1t. He would
have KILLED all
At home Mrs. Haffner sat by the body OF her
husband paralyzed by the fate which had turned
the day Of Joy into one Of tragedy 1t was with
difficulty that the neighbors could get her TO
leave the scene.
According TO the neighbors, Mrs Haffner has
suffered much at the hands Of her husband VINO
was often cruel and abusive under the influence
of drink. Yet she was good woman. who loved
her home and worked hard for her children.
Yesterday morning Haffner went out early and
spent the morning in celebrating with some
friends AT home the wife worked nara over d
hot fire TO prepare dinner which should please
her husband and the two boys, John. the elder
and Harry.
Harry had prepared little surprise for his
mother. When the dinner was ready he brought
ont AN album and a neat little writing desk for
which she had been wishing. Mrs Haffner was
delighted, and she and the two boys were ex-
amining the things and talking happily ~hen the
father appeared on the scene, about 8 O'Clock.
He was in an ugly mood. After glanclng at the
gifts which had brought pleasure TO MS wue ne
made a few mean remarks ana proceeded 10
tear the album to pieces. When he started 10
smash the desk john stepped in and interfered
The woman appeesed her angry husband. ana
bade the family TO sit down TO dinner. AGAIN
the subject of the presents was brought up by
the father. and Harry says that Mr.. Hammer
said:
young man, l will kill both you and your
mother"
Harry. thoroughly aroused at the i'll temper
of his father answered back. whereupon Hammer
struck his a blow in the face In an IN
slant the young man had jumped to his feet.
sharp carving knife was in his hand. and with
a fury brought by his fathers nagging, the
son plunged the blade into his fathers neck.
The son then dashed downstairs and out into
the street John followed. looking for police
man who could call ambulance. At the
corner he met Roundsman keenan,, Of the Grand
ave- station, who on his way 10 report The
officer called an ambulance. and then followed
John home Harry had returned to the house
by this time. and calmly submitted TO arrest
He was taken to the Grand-ave. station. al
though the crime took place in another precinct
Charles Haffner, the dead man, was butcher
forty-four years old. He drinking man.
tIx, roll Cd with he
Harry, the son. is employed by the United
States Battery Company, at State-st and Flat
bush-ave. He has appeared in boxing Iexhi-
billions at the Greenwood and Pelican Athletic
clubs and has a local reputation a fighter
He will be arraigned in the F1atbush Police
Court before Magistrate Steers this morning.