Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-14
FANATIC GOES BLOOD MAD
Los Angeles Man Beheads Son and
Daughter and Kills Self.
RELIGIOUS FRENZY THE CAUSE
Tragedy Follows Meeting at which
He worked Himself UP TO Hish
pitch of Excitement, Un-
Mind.

Los ANGELES, Cal, Aug. 13-Driven
insane by religious mania, II. J. Duffy, 81
years OF age. today attacked and killed his
son and daughter with an axe, and then
cut his own throat with a razor. inflicting
fatal injuries.
The tragedy occurred early this morning
In the extereme northwestern part Of the
city. Duffy lived at the home OF his son,
Fred Duffy. He had been on the verge OF
violent insanity, II is said. for weeks, from
religious enthusiasm. Last night he at
tended a. religious meeting and worked
himself into a frenzy.
When he arose this morning he was sud
denly seized with a desire to kill. secur-
ing a sharp bladed axe he stealthily en-
tered the bedroom Of mis- son while the
latter lay asleep. He crept close to the
side Of the bed and raising the weapon,
brought It down with terrific force across
the neck Of the son. The blow was de-
livered with such tremendous force that
the head Of the victim was severed com
pletely from the body.
Crushes Daughters Skull.
with the shout Of a maniac, Duffy rushed
from the house and down the street wav-
ing his bloody weapon. Reaching the house
At 451 Northwest Lake avenue. where his
WAAO oAAh oaAtaAACl ANaAaN0f AN RtAN ~
front door and entered. Mrs. d Lacomb.
the daughter, with her mother. was In a
rear room. Proceeding stealthily to this
room, the murderer opened the connecting
doors. Mrs. Lacomb stood with her back
to him. without a word Of warning, he
swung the axe high in the air and cleft
his daughters skull. Her whole head was
crushed in from the blow.
M n,ftv ned tbrou0h a raor Noor
closely pursued by the maniac, striking at
her with the axe. She succeeded in elud-
ing him, her cries attracting the attention
Of neighbors, who came to her aid.
Cuts Throat on street.
Duffy then walked to the street, where
he drew a razor from his pocket and
slashed his own throat. inflictlng injuries
which will doubtless cause his death.
Mrs. Duffy was severely gashed on the
elbow by a blow from the axe as she was
fleeing from the murderer.
Several weeks ago Duffy went to
Evergreen cemetery, where he purchased
a lot from the sexton large enough for the
burial Of four persons, explaining that he
wanted It for himself, son and daughter.
Three days ago he went to an undertaken
and purchased a coffin for himself.
Son Did Not Awaken.
Fred Duffy, the son. was "a years old
and unmarried. He was an automobile
machinist- 1t was evident from the con-
dition Of the sons body and the room
In which both men had slept that the son
had never awakened.
The daughter lived with her husband,
Ferdinand Lacom. a painter. and their
6-year-old daughter.
Mrs. Duffy and her husband had been
divorced and she had gone to the hone
of her daughter to nurse her through ap-
preaching childbirth. When Duffy en-
tered the house she asked: ' z.
Where is FredT"
"Oh, he's gone to work." responded the
old man, quietly.
But he has not had his breakfast"
persisted the mother.
mo, but he got up late and Thought he
would get something to eat. downtown
replied the murderer.
Before entering the Lacom home Duffy
concealed his axe in a sack which he car
ried. The old man sat, nervously finger
ing the sack while the women proceeded
to prepare breakfast. Suddenly he got
up, drew the bloody axe from the sack
and attacked them.