The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-11
A RAVING MANIAC.
SpencerMan Cuts His
Throat and Sets
House on Fire.
SAYS THE LORD TOLD HIM TO.
Fierce Struggle Ensues Be-
fore Edward Murphy is
Put Under Subsection.
SAYS THE LORD TOLD HIM TO.

Spencer, June 1O.-Edward Murphy,
90 years of age, made a desperate at
tempt this morning at 8 o'clock, to com
init suicide, and set his lodging house
on fire. For the past week Murphy
has not been feeling well, and last eve
ming went to bed at the usual hour.
Eugene Hodge, another boarder &C.
cupies the same room and bed as Muir
h ply. About o'clock Hodge was awak-
ened by bright light in the room, and
was Mortified to see the lace curtain
blazing and Murphy on the floor with
blood streaming out from deep cash
IN his neck. He instantly jumped out
of bed. pale and trembling, and awak-
ened the inmates of the house by his
cries. Charles Walker, proprietor of
the house, rushed into the room and
almost dropped with fright at the spec
tacle before him. Gathering his scat
tered senses together, he pulled down
the curtain and extinguished the fire
Murphy was keeping up a continuous
talking during the meanwhile. He
kept repeating that God had told him
TO do it, and that he would try again.
Mr.. Walker tried to pacify him with
words but they were Of no avail, so he
had to resort to strength. But as
large as he is he was no match for
the Infatuated man, and after a strug
gle had to retreat and lock the door
after him.
He sent his son Fred out to secure
assistance from the neighborhood and
during th@-@ielay, the wounded man
succeeded in setting two other lace cur
tains in the room on fire. Thomas Ca
sey, Frank Bournier and Albert Rivers,
neighbors, heard the shouts for assis
tance and rushed to the scene of eX-
element. The men unlocked the door
and entered the room just in time to
extingutsh the blaze which was fast
making Roadway from the curtains to
the near articles
1t took the combined strength Of the
men to hold Murphy on the bed until
Doctors Norwood and Austin who had
been sent for arrived. Father Dolan
also arrived about the same time. The
doctors examined the cash which they
found to be about four inches long and
one inch deep. The cut did not touch
the windpipe or jugular A razor with
which the deed was committed was
found lying near the bed
The doctors dressed the cut and at
ter consulting together they decided
that the Worcester hospital would be
the best place for the man. A hack
was summoned and about Z O'Clock this
morning the patient was placed in it
under the care of Officer George +. Nc
Kenna and Edward Bowen. George
Maxwell drove the hack and in this
way left for Worcester.
Mr.. Murphy came to Spencer from
Monson about three months ago, and
took a position as dresser-tender in
Beebe, Weber & Co.'s mills. He is
very quiet man and everybody who
came in contact with him speaks only
in the highest way Of him.
A number of years ago he was con-
fined in an insane asylum on account of
mental trouble, and some of his init
mate friends do not believe that he has
fully recovered from the disease which
placed him in the asylum. He has
mother and three brothers who are liv-
ing at the present time in Monson.
Patrick DooIey has arrived home from
Manila on furlough. He will remain |
for few months. Mr. Dooley has not |
been feeling well until lately. He is Ia
pounds lighter in weight than when !
here before. With him came his wife.
A letter has been received by the |
parents of Treffle Bosse who is in the |
Philippines. With Bosse is Thomas Don |
ahue of this town. Bosse writes home |
that he enjoys the place and that the |
Spencer men in his regiment are all in |
first class Spirits and condition. He was
one Of the youngest volunteers from |
this town.
The town hall was crowded this even |
ing by an audience which had assem- |
bed to witness the second night of Ly- |
man H. Howes moving pictures. The
proceeds of both nights performances
will be devoted to the ST. Mary's |
church.
The goods of the late Edward E. Kent !
were sold today at auction by Auction
b Ger Charles Boyden. The sale took place
in the deceased's apartments in HIS
block.
Henry Denis and Fred Berthiaume
were before Trial Justice Curtis this
afternoon at 8 o'clock, on charge of
breaking and entering Napoleon Caba- |
mas saloon on the night Of Jan. 9Th. |
Both men pleaded not guilty. AleXan- |
der Bouley, bartender for Cabana, Har- |
nv Jackson Of Marlboro and Napoleon
Cabana appeared against them. Jack |
son stated that he and one of the pris-
oners had drank whisky out of a sealed
bottle at Iivermore's barn on Mechanic
street. the 9th of January. The bottle
was produced and Cabana identified
it as his property, no other saloon in
town keeping the same brand.
Herthiaume stated that he had
bought a sealed bottle of whisky from
Jerry Parent. bartender for Demars.
Parent was brought into court and tes-
titled that he had no recollection of
selling a sealed bottle Of whisky tol
Berthiaume.
The court bound the prisoners over to |