Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-08-13
Driven Insane by Religious Mania
H. J. Duffy Kills His Son and
Daughter With an Ak.
THEN CUTS HIS OWN THROAT
At Meeting Last Night Worked Him
self Into a Frenzy Which Had
Fatal Effects Today

Los Angeles, Cal, Aug. 15.--Driyen
insane by religious mania, II. J. Duty.
60 years old. today attacked and kill
ed his son and daughter with an axe,
and then cut his own throat with
razor. INJECTING fatal injuries. The
tragedy occurred early this morning
in the extreme northwestern part OF
the city Duffy lived at the home of
his son, Fred Duffy. He has been
on the verge of violent insanity, 1t is
said, for weeks from religious enthus-
iasm. Last night he attended a re-
ligious meeting and worked himself
into frantic state Of religious ardor.
When he arose this morning he was
suddenly seized with a desire to kill.
Securing sharp bladed axe he
stealthily entered the bed room of his
son while the latter lay asleep. He
orept close to the side of the bed, and.
raising the weapon aloft, brought it
down with terrific force across the
nerk of the son. The blow was de-
liNered with such tremendous force
that the head of the victim was sew
cred completely from the body
With the shout of a maniac. Duffy
rushed from the house and down the
street. waving his bloody weapon.
Reaching the house at 45l North West
Lake avenue, where his daughter re-
sided, he opened the front door and
entered. Mrs. Ada Lacomb, the
daughter, with her mother, were in
rear room Proceeding stealthily to
this room. the murderer opened the
connecting door. Mrs. Lacombe stood
with her back to him Without
sound OF 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.
Mrs. Duffy fed through rear door,
closely pursued by the maniac, striking
at her with the axe. She succeeded in
eluding him, her cries attracting the
attention OF neighbors who came to her
aid.
Duffy then walked to the street,
where he drew razor from his pocket
and slashed his own throat, infiicting
frightful injuries which will doubtless
cause his death.
Mrs Duffy was severely gashed on
the elbow by blow from the axe as
she was fleeing from the murderer.
Several weeks ago Duffy went to the
Evergreen cemetery where he pur-
chased from the sexton lot large
enough for the burial of four persons,
explaining that he wanted ii for HIM
self, wife, son and daughter. Three
days ago he went to an undertaking
establishment and purchased coffin
for himself He selected the coffin with
great care, insisting that it be an ex-
act size.
Fred Duffy, the son. was "a years
of age and unmarried. He was an
automobile machinist. 1t was evident
from the condition of the sons body
and the room In which both men had
slept that the son had never awakened
When the old man left the house
where he had slain his son he pro-
ceeded directly TO the house where his
daughter lives with her husband Fer
dinand Lacom. painter and their
6-year- old daughter Margaret Before
entering the house Duffy concealed his
axe in a sack which he carried.
HAD BEEN DIVORCED.
Mrs Duffy and her husband had
been divorced some time since and She
had gone to the home of her daughter
to nurse her through approaching child
birth. When Duffy entered the house
she asked:
Where is Fred?"
"Oh, he's gone TO work" responded
the old man quietly, who few min
utes before had slain his son as he lay
asleep.
But he hasn't had his breakfast
persisted the mother.
NO, but he got up late and thought
he would get something to eat down
town" replied the murderer
The ole man sat nervously lingering
the sack, while the women proceeded u
prepare breakfast, Suddenly he got
up, drew the bloody axe from the sack
and attacked the women. The older wo-
man cried to her daughter to seize tile
child Margaret and run, while she turn
ed to battle with her insane husband.
The first blow descending struck her
on the elbow, cutting Il frightful cash
and breaking the bone, Mrs, Duffy
picked up the little child In her arms
as she ran. Mrs, Lacom, In her help-
less condition was unable to run and
fell. The old man struck her again
and again with the axe, crushing the
skull.
The neighborhood was aroused by
the cries OF the women and the police
were summoned. Meantime Duffy
walked calmly do'Sl the street slash
ing at his throat with razor. When
an officer appeared the old man at
tackled him but was dubbed into sub,
mission Duffy owned considerable
property.
hppEAI For PROTECTION.