Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-07-30
SON ATTEMPTS SELF OBSTRUCTION
Prompt action OF the lal Guards.
However Prevents Him from Ac-
complishing His Purpose-Murdcr
er's Uncomfortable Fury Was
Caused by Family Estrangcment.
To Probe Shooting.
Am AsancIntod prcssl.

The death OF the aged American sol
dier himself, and an attempt at sell
destruction ON the part Of his son
Horny. who shot his sisters ANA
brothers on Sunday in the last
hours OF his dying father impaired
additional sadness today To the shock
ing tragedy in the home OF Major
Henry \. Huntington, which hau
caused sensation in the American
colony and diplomatic circles OF
France.
Major Huntington died tonight
shortly after the news was given ont
of his son lIenry's unsuccessful at
tempt at suicide, hut the father was
spared the anguish nf knowledge
both of This incident and the terrible
crime which shattered his household
as he was unconscious TO the end.
The FRUSTRATED wife, his daughter,
Edith, and his son Douglas. whose
slight wounds permitted them to pay
the last honors to The dying man,
were present IN the chamber when
the end came. According To the po-
lice, Henry attempted suicide in his
cell with silk handkerchief which
he tied round his neck and fastened
il to the bars seeking to strnnglc NM
self slowly by means OF a ;ourniluet
The Tailor, who had been instructed
to watch the prisoner closely, de
tcctcd the act in time To prevent scri-
Gus results and it WAS announced
that Henry had not succeeded in in
iurlng himself. The swift sequence
OF tragic incidents i'll the huntington
family. which is one of the best
here. has cast gloom over Yer
saillcs Though plunged in grief at
the death OF the head OF the house
hold the mother and children have
time To say llenry's effort n self
destruction is additional evidence of
the mental responsibility which they
say he has manifested Tor Il long
time in certain directions.
lis wife. however. declares that
it WAS the natural result of remorsc
at the dreadful acts which he com
mttod in sudden outburst of UNI
comfortable fury at the interference
of his brothers when he hurried to
the bedside of his dying father.
The French judicial authorities
feel that searching probes alone will
bring out the exact happenings in
the Huntington villa which antcdated
the shooting.
On the subject of just what oc-
CURED on the night of The tragedy
there is Il conflict between the story
OF the Huntington family and the
statement ilenry's wife says he made
to her. but both agree that the man
was carried away by passion which
unbalanced his mind
Cause of the Tragedy.
The tragedy occurred at the bed
side of the father, who was dying.
Henry had returned TO ask his faith
cr's forgiveness, he having been es
trangcd from his parents for some
time Mr.. Huntington, ST. was suf-
icring from pulmonary congestion.
and. as it was believed that he was
near 10 death, telegram was sent
to Henry to return. The latter hur
ried to the bedside, around which
were grouped tho weeping wife, the
daughters. Edith ana Elizabeth. and
the sons, Alonzo and Douglas.
Henry pleaded forgiveness for the
sorrow he had caused and had re
cciyed his fathers blessing. when
Douglas requested him to seek the
pardon of his mother also. This
Horny declined TO do. and thereupon
Alonzo asked him to leave the room.
According TO the police Henry i'm
lncdiatcly drew out revolver and
iired ut AlonzO. He then wheeled
and shot both of his sisters. and On
dcavorcd To make his escape. lie
was captured. however. by Il guard.
WHO ran into the house to investigate
tae cause of the shots.