The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-18
CoRCORAN'S HORRIBLE DEED.
SHOT HIS -FOUR CHILDREN AND
COMMITTED SUICIDE.

Three of Them Are Dead and the
other One May Die-Evidence
Found Showing He Had DeIiher-
ateIy Planned to Ein Them-First
Tried Lnudnnum, Then He Shot
Them to Death-He Was Probably
Insane.
Chicago. Nov. 17.-Carrying out plot
he had apparently planned with delibera-
ton, Cornelius Corcoran to-day shot four
of his children, killing two of them and
then ended his own life The tragedy oc-
CURED at his home 5i0l Dearborn street,
The dead are
Cornelius Corcoran, 40 years old,
Margaret Corcoran, years old.
John Corooran, years old.
Lizzie Corcoran 8 years old.
The wounded child is Kate Corcoran, II
years old, who may die If she recovers
she will lose her left eye.
The police are convinced the man is in
sance. Corcoran had lived with his seven
children in a fiat building at 5lO1 Dear
born street for a month past To all OUT
ward appearances he was kind and con-
siderate parent.
For some days he had plotted for the
death of his children. and he nearly ac-
complished his purpose Tuesday night.
Hearing the children cough, he arose ana
in the dark administered laudanum 20 Ave
Of them, Clifford, Timothy, John. Marv
garet and Lizzie. The first two were re-
moved 10 the Mercy Hospital, where Tim
othy died the next day.
Corcoran exhibited such profound grief
over the affair that the police and the
coroner thought the giving of laudanum
was a mistake
Made Deliberate Plans.
Baked in his purpose to end the lives OF
the young ones, Corcoran. it is thought,
made deliberate plans for his act Of to-
day. About 10 O'clock the grandmother Of
the children. Mrs Margaret Wrenn, ac-
companied by her niece. Mrs. Mamie Cor
bett, called at the Corcoran home.
When they rang the bell Corcorau called
out from the inside: who's there"
IT'S Mamie and your mother" replied
Mrs. Corbett.
Corcoran thrust his head out OF the door,
disclosing the fact that he was attiring
for the night and closing the door again,
said;
wait tust a minute, Mamie"
The two women opened the door and
stepped into the hallway. Just then three
shots were heard, followed by succession
OF screams.
In the panic the two women started out
The doorway and ran down the street
screaming at the top of their voices.
ITS murderi It's murder!" shouted
Mrs. Corbett frantcally, and hurrying to
on adjacent drug store word was sent to
ba Tftftipth cfrapt and IIW6n Park nOlieA
station.
Met Horrible Sight.
An appalling sight greeted the eyes of
Lieut. Clancy Sergt. Ryan and other Of
ficers when they entered the Corcoran fiat
In the first bedroom, just off the par
lor, was the body Of Margaret lying in
pool of blood at the head of the bed while
at the foot hay John unconscious and
breathing heavily. In the room to the
rear Corcoran's dead body was found on
the floor, while that of the baby Lizzie,
recllned on pillow. A revolver lay near
Corcorans right hand. Five of the cham
bers We're empty.
ception of Kate's, was inflicted behind the
ear. Kate was shot In the left temple.
The police removed Kate and John TO the
Mercy Hospital, and later the baby Liz
zie who was stlll breathing, was taken
there John died within half hour after
were held out for the recovery OF the
others.
Intended to XIII Them.
Evidences of Corcoran's intention to Kill
his children were seen in the house. In
one room empty whskey and wine bottles
showed he had given the children literally
Of the liquor and stupefied them.
Corcoran was injured about three years
ago In a collision with a cable car, while
driving a mail wagon. His leg was broken
and his brain was affected, 1t is said. Six
months ago Corcorans wife, the daughter
of Mrs Wrenn, became insane, and since
that time she has been an inmate of an
asylum at Kankakee.
The only child to escape injury was Mar
ion. l6 years old, VINO is at the hospital,
nursing her brother, Clifford.
Chicago Nov. 18.-Lizzie Corcoran died
at midnight.
1T WAS RECEIVED COOLLY.