The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-16

breath and a message was sent TO Dr,
Perry OF Elmwood avenue.
The act was evidently premedlated and
was committed after months OF insane
broodng. during which time the man had
twice been incarceratcd In the Insane asy-
ium at Cranston. and during which time.
too, he had repeatedly threatened 10 take
the life OF Miss Toombs.
Morses history since he was mere
boy has been bad. lie was born In New
Britain. Conn, and when but IL years
of age he attempted to kill his sister
Grace with carving knife. For this as
sault he was commltteed to reform
school, from which he was released when
he attained his majority. He had In the
meantime become a moral pervert ana
had long attacks OF melanchoia-
Morse drifted TO this city and was en-
pioyed for a while at the Butler hospital
for the insane. When the street car
strike came on last June he applied for
work and was placed on a Broad street
car, which, a few weeks later he desert
ed a Pawtuxet one morning.
simultaneously with the report OF his
disappearance, made by the railroad
people came a complaint from Julia
Toombs, who had become acquainted
with Morse He called at her house and
wanted to marry her. and his conduct.
when she declined to become his wife,
was such that she and her mother be-
came alarmed. especially as Morse had
begun TO threaten to Kill them.
HOUSE WATCHED.
Officers were sent 10 watch their house,
! and when Morse showed up he was
placed under arrest. lie was searched
1 loaded revolver was found in his posses
\ sion and, as he was wild In his talk, IL
/ was decided that he had better be sent
to the state hospital for the insane, and
| he was committed Oct 22, 1902.
Soon after this, stories became current
| that Morse had been unjustly dealt with;
| that he had been induced TO give up mon
ey and furniture and then been discarded.
/ Some OF the street railway employes IN
| terested themselves In his behalf, and he
| was paroled on Jan. lS, this year, with
! the understanding that he would go into
the navy. He went to Charlestown. Mass,
! enlisted under the name OF William Stew
ems and became a coal passer on the wa
! bash
Morse obtained leave of absence and
| presently the Toombs family began to re-
! ceIve threatening letters, which were
mailed at Taunton, Mass. The house was
| again guarded, and Morse was arrested
while trying TO effect an entrance to IT,
He had q razor this time, and az he
| threatened TO use IL, he was recomnltteo
to Cranston His whereabouts was dis
covered by the navy yard authorities, and
on Feb. Ie he was paroled again and went
hack TO Boston.
saturday the commanding officer OF the
Waba sh discharged Morse for Physical
disability and certified that he had nc
qualifications for re-erlistment.
Morse pawned his pea-jacket In Boston
nurchased n six-shooter OF 32 callbre
loaded every chamber of IL, and came "a
this city at II o'clock Saturday night.
TAKEN TO BOSTON.
About the middle OF February the offi
cials of the Boston navy yard called a,
tho nsylum and took Morse away. At thai
time Il is understood that Or. keene ex
nIained the circumstances of his threats
10 take Miss Toombs' life. and OF his fol
lowing her about. and that the onicer'
from the navy yard agreed 10 take care
OF him and under no circumstances 70 az
low him 10 get away and return 10 th'
state. They agreed IL is said. TO send HIN
or on n lonaNruise
News OF the murder was sent 20 th'
, church and Rev. George W. Gates, th'
! pastor. dismissed the congregatsen and
went 10 the scene OF the shooting. and
upon finding Miss. Toornbs dead. went u
! her late home To- comfort tho hear
, broken mother and sister.
The bosv Of tho murdered g'ri was "a
. ken to the undertaking rooms of a. Her
. bert Arnold on Westminster street, enc
yesterday afternoon Medical Examine p
: Jay Perkins performed an autopsy, IND
ing that all four shots took effect on'
. passing through the heart
AT the Seventh police station Mors'
!. was searched and In one or his pockets
= was found his discharge papers. dateS
March i4 These papers. which were re
= ceiyed hy him, stated that the reason q
= his discharge was physical disability.
+ All day yesterday Morse sat In his cell