Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-11
MURDER AT WHEATON
MRS. NARY LANG, SEVENTY
SEVEN YEARS OF AGE, VICTIM.
Son-in-Law Arrested on Charge Of
Having Committed the Deed
Retains Counsel.
snecia, corresnondence Of The Star.

Special Correspondence of The Star.
ROCKVILLE, Nd, March II, 1907.
Mrs. Mary Lang, seventy-seven years Of
age, was murdered last Saturday night at
the residence of her son-in-law, William H.
Mckay, near Wheaton, this county, where
she made her home. Her head was literally
hacked to pieces, one hand was cut COM
pletely off and there were other marks of
violence. Mckay, sixty-six, years of age,
has been arrested charged with the crime
and is now in the Rockville jail.
1t is stated that Mckay had been acting
strangely of late. Several days ago he
threatened to "shoot the whole family"
and his wife, becoming frightened, left the
house and with her children went to WASH
ington. Mrs. Mckay, it is said, endeavored
to persuade Mrs. Lang to go too, but the
old lady declined, saying that she was not
afraid and could manage William" Mrs
Mckay yesterday sent ner son, Osgood,
about eighteen years of age, to the farm
Upon entering the house young Mckay
discovered pile of bloody clothing at the
foot OF the stairs, while at the top stood
his father. The man warned the boy not
to mount the stairs and the latter departed
Immediately. He summoned Deputy Sheriff
Joseph Quinter. The officer and one or two
Other residents Of the Wheaton neighbour
hood went to the Mckay home and upon
entering Mrs. Lang's bed room found her
body on the bed. Bed clothing was piled
upon the corpse as II an effort had been
made to hide 1t. Blood was everywhere
Out there were no indications that a strug-
gle had occurred. From the appearance
OF the remains 1t was decided that the
woman was Killed about midnight Saturday
Mckay Sleeping Sunday.
In an adjoining room the officer found
Mckay. He was sleeping soundlv and did
not awaken until handouts were snapped
on his wrists On the floor was a bloody
shlrt and coat belonging to the man with
blood thereon. When taken into the room
where the body lay Mckay expressed hor-
ror and surprise that "any one could have
cut up grandmother in such way" and he
charged that it was the work of one of his
sons and another man. He denied that he
had committed the crime
Justice OF the Peace john McCeney, who
had been notified of the tragedy, sum-
moned a jury and held an inquest. The
verdict was that she met her death prob
ably at the hands of Mckay and ordered
that the latter be committed to Jail. He
was accordingly brought to Rockville,
reaching here about 9 o'clock last night
The McKays became residents of Mont
gomery county only few months ago, hay-
ing removed here from Prince George
years. 1t is said that Mckay was for many
years engaged in the dairy business in
Washington, and that he is well known
in that city. 1t Is also said that he is pos
sessed of considerable means. During his
short residence in this county the man
made many friends. He was regarded as a,
good citizen, and the news that he was ac-
cused Of committing brutal crime was re-
ceived with surprise by his neighbors and
friends.
Mentally Irresponsible.
1t is the general impression that if he did
commit the murder he was mentally ire
sponsible at the time. Within the past few
days the old man is known to have re-
marked to an acquaintance that he had
been crazy ever since a recent spell Of the
grip Drink. 1t is believed, aggravated his
mental troubles. His conversation is I'M
derstood to clearly indicate that he Is men,
tally unbalanced.
McKay's family consists Of his wife and
seven or eight children. nearly all Of the
latter being grown and several Of them
residents Of Washington. Until Mr.. Nc
Kay's mental troubles developed the fam
lily Is said to have been happy one.
Mckay has retained Thomas Dawson OF
the local bar to defend him, his first ut
terance after being lodged in Jail being to
ask that the lawyer be sent to him. 1t Is
understood to be probable that hearing
will be held here within the next few
days.