New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-25
ATTEMPT DOUBLE MURDER
Man and Fife Shot Do7sn ~ Home
--Wonnan Efao.

Newton, ". J.. Oct IA mysterious attennpt
to commit double murder, the intended vic
tins being man and his wife was made last
night near CentreviIle. fourteen miles from this
place. One of the victims-the woman-is dead:
the husband is expected to recover. The motive
for the crime is as yet unknown. The assassin
has not been caught, but the county officials
and large force of men making a thor
ough search and 1t is believed he cannot escape.
The scene of the crime in Sandystone
Township. Sussex County. Victor E. Bevans.
we'll to do farmer and his wife lived alone in
comfortable house in the vicinity OF Centre
vile. So far as known neither had any enemies
and they enjoyed the high respect Of their
neighbors. Their house was somewhat isolated.
their nearest neighbo- being Elvin Smith.
former Assembyman.
Bevans and his wife were sitting at d table in
the parlor of their home at 9 o'clock last night,
when there came the report of gun. and load
of buckshot crashed through the parlor window
and entered Mrs. Bevans head She fell for
ward on her face and must have died instantly,
as shown by the nature of her wounds. Before
the husband could go to his wifes side there
came another report, and another charge OF
buckshot struck Bevans on the head and face.
There is a telephone in the Bevans house. and.
although almost blinded by the blood that spat-
tered from his wounds the farmer mayed TO
drag himself to the instrument and call up
Elvin Smith. While waiting for a response TO
his call he fell exhausted from loss of blood but
his groaus and cries for help were heard over
the wire by Mr.. Smith, who had gone to the
telephone in his house. and he lost no time in
alarming others in the neighborhood telling
them that there was something wrong in the
Bevans house. All hurried to the farmers
house, and there they found Bevans and his
wife lying on the floor in pools of blood. Both
were apparently dead, but Mr.. Bevans soon
showed signs OF life. and in a short time was
able to tell what had happened. He could throw
no light however. on the identity of the assas-
sin. as he said he knew Of one who might
have desired to seek the lives Of himself and his
wife
So far as can be learned neither Bevans nor
his wife had enemy in Sussex County. The
motive for the crime is not believed to have
been robbery. apparently no attempt was
made TO enter the house
The crime was committed in a very deliberate
manner. The murderer was armed with muz-
zle loading double barreed shotgun. charged
with buckshot. He fired only twice. and must
have taken very careful aim, each victim was
struck by the shot In the head and face. the
wife being first hit, and then the husband
The only clew 20 the assassin thus far discov-
lead to the detection of the murderer. 1t con-
sists of piece of wadding that was found in
the parIor where the tragedy took place. This
had been made from a copy Of 1.-THE Port Jervis
Gazette" Of Tuesday last.
Prosecutor Henry Huston and Sheriff Joseph
Address of Sussex County. soon they had
been informed of the tragedy got together a
large posse and began systematic search for
the murderer some trace Of him. Parties Of
armed men have been sent in every direction
and the whole country in the neighborhood is
being thoroughly secured.
The murdered woman forty years OF age.
She was OF a generous disposition and was
noted for the charity she dispensed among
neighbors who required aid. Although well
10 do, she and her husband employed no ser
wants Mrs Bevans preferring to look after her
household affairs herself She was popular
among her friends. and her untimely death has
aroused deep indignation IN the community