Son Kills His Mother - 1887

Galveston Daily News (Galveston, Texas) - October 4, 1887

AN ISLAP MURDER MYSTERY
THE MUTILATED BODY OF A WOMAN

Discovered Half Hidden in a Clump of Bushes
Mrs. Frances Hawkins Probably
Killed by Her Dissipated Son

NEW YORK, October 2 - The little village of Islap, L. I., has a murder mystery. About 9 o'clock yesterday morning a resident was going through the woods just north of town and discovered the mutilated body of a woman half hidden in a clump of bushes. The body was recognized as that of Mrs. Francis Hawkins, a wealthy widow residing at Islap.

The Islap people are greatly wrought up over the crime, and should the murderer be found before the feeling has had time to die out there will be no need of a trial. Suspicion points to F. S. Asbry Hawkins, the dead lady's elder son, as the murderer. It seems that Mrs. Hawkins was reading in her parlor at 9 o'clock on Saturday when her two sons went out. The elder son hired a horse and buggy at a livery stable in the village a few minutes later. He returned to the stable with the buggy at 11 o'clock that night. He took it out again at 8 o'clock on Sunday morning. Just after he left the stable on Sunday morning it was discovered by the hands that there was blood on the floor where the buggy had stood, and it was found that the cushion of the buggy was saturated with blood, and that the bottom of the wagon was stained with it.

When Hawkin's bedroom was examined a quantity of blood stained clothing was discovered hidden in a trunk. It was also found that there were freshly made tracks leading from the livery stable to Mrs. Hawkins' house and from the house to where the body was found. The horse which Hawkins drove on Saturday night had a bar shoe on the left foot and a broken shoe on the left hind foot. The freshly made tracks were made by a horse similarly shod.

What led Hawkins to commit the crime, if he is the murderer, is a question that has started all sorts of rumors in Islap. He was a hard drinker and was fond of consorting with low company. Mrs. Hawkins was wealthy and had a life interest in all the property left by her husband. She frequently lectured her son about his bad habits, and they had serious quarrels later, when young Hawkins announced to his mother his intention of marrying Hattie Schock, who was a servant in the family.

The coroner's jury this afternoon brought in a verdict charging young Hawkins with the crime, and he was committed to jail. It is learned this evening that he has made a full confession. He alleges that his mother applied an epithet to his lady love which so enraged him that he shot her in the head and threw her body where it was found.

New York Times (New York, New York) - October 4, 1887

SLAIN BY HER OWN SON
THE MURDER OF MRS. HAW-
KINS QUICKLY FOUND

ASBURY HAWKINS CONFESSES THAT HE
KILLED HIS MOTHER BECAUSE SHE
OPPOSED HIS MARRIAGE

The authorities of Suffolk County, Long Island, have made quick work of it in running to earth the murderer of Mrs. Cynthiana Hawkins, at Islip. They were so swiftly upon the trail and gathered up the links of evidence so surely that within 24 hours after the murder they were able to fix the crime with almost absolute certainty upon Francis Asbury Hawkins, her elder son. So strong was the web of circumstances that the matricide broke down completely and made a full confession yesterday morning.

Mrs. Hawkins was the widow of Franklin Hawkins, who, with his brother, J. Clarence Hawkins, was engaged for many years in the lumber and coal business at Islip, and was one of the best known men in that region, being connected by birth and marriage with most of the old families. He died about seven years ago, leaving his widow property worth at that time about $30,000 and three children - Asbury, now 22 years old; Grace, aged 15, and Franklin, a boy of 8.

Asbury had been the source of a great deal of anxiety to his parents for several years because of a disposition to associate with servants in preference to girls in his own sphere of life. They tried in every way to make him give up these associations, but without avail. Three years ago he left Islip and went to live with his uncle at Bay Shore, being employed in the latter's grocery as clerk at $10 a week. While there Asbury became acquainted with Hattie Schreck, who was a cler, in Perry Wick's ice cream saloon. She got a strong hold on his affections, and when she left the saloon and became a servant in the family of Dr. Mowbray he continued his attentions to her and promised marriage. His mother learned of his infatuation and tried to break off the connection. This led to frequent quarrels between them, but the more opposition was shown the stronger became his determination to marry the girl.

A few weeks ago the girl left Bay Shore and went to Northport, about 15 miles away, on the north shore of Long Island. Every Sunday there after Asbury hired a horse and buggy at a livery stable in Bay Shore, and, after stopping at his mother's home in Islip, drove over to Northport and spent the day with Hattie Schreck. About two weeks ago he began to drink heavily. This was probably caused by the knowledge that the marriage with Miss Schreck could not longer be delayed consistently with the preservation of Hattie's good name. It is very probably that he made his mother acquainted with the situation. She was obdurate and would not give her consent to the marriage.

On Saturday night Hawkins hired a team at Bay Shore, saying he was going to Babylon to meet some friends coming on a train to his mother's home, but he drove to Islip, arriving there about 9:30 o'clock. When he entered he found his mother alone in the sitting room, his sister having gone to bed a short time previously, and the members of the household being in their rooms. He told her that her sister, Mrs. Edgar Smith, who lives on Awixa-avenue, was very ill and not expected to live, and desired to see her at once. Much excited, Mrs. Hawkins put on her hat and a red shawl and got into the buggy with her son. He drove down Awixa-avenue toward the shore, talking as they went along about Hattie Schreck, and urging his mother to give her consent to his marriage and receive her as a daughter. She refused, as she had done persistently whenever the subject was broached, and added, he said in his confession, that she would never consent to his marrying such a girl as Hattie, "Then", said the prisoner, "I took my revolver from my pocket and shot her in the forehead. I was in a vile passion at the time and had no intention of doing the thing." From the cuts and bruises on the dead woman's head it is believed the maddened son beat her with the butt of his revolver to quiet her death struggles, fearing lest she might have strength enough to cry out.

While this was going on the horse had been walking along, and when the body had become limp was some distance to the south of the Smith home. There the murderer turned the horse about, and driving across the main road of the village of Islip, entered upon the old turnpike leading to Brentwood, a small town four miles away. He drove on for a mile and a half beyond the Oakwood Cemetery, the blood pouring from the dead woman's wounds and dripping from her clothing into the bottom of the buggy. Then he drew up at the roadside, rolled his mother's body out upon the ground, and drove away.

It was not until then that Hawkins began to realize the consequences of his mad act. He drove hurriedly back to Bay Shore. Discovering on the way the blood about the buggy, he rubbed some of it up with the lap robe, but was afraid to delay anywhere to give it a thorough cleaning. He arrived at the stable about 11 o'clock. He was met by Mr. Suedeker, the liveryman, to whom he said he wanted the same rig in the morning. Mr. Snedeker said he would have the buggy washed, but Hawkins said, quickly, "You needn't bother to do that. I am going over to Northport in the morning, and will have it washed and greased there." Then, after taking the bloody lap robe from the buggy and stuffing it under the seat of an old carriage, he went to his uncle's home and to bed.

How Hawkins passed the night no one knows but himself. When he appeared at the livery stable at 6 o'clock Sunday morning his face had a haggard look, and he appeared somewhat nervous. Mr. Snedeker attributed this to dissipation the night before, and thought nothing of it. Hawkins was given the same buggy, but another horse, and drove over to Northport, where he stopped at Wheeler's Hotel. He asked for water and brushes, and with his own hands scrubbed the buggy inside and out and also the curtains and cushions. The stablemen were somewhat surprised at the carefulness with which he did the work, but they did not suspect anything. When he had finished the cleaning to his satisfaction Hawkins left Northport and drove to Babylon, where he took dinner and then drove back to Bay Shore, arriving at the stable at 4:30 PM.

In the meantime the body of Mrs. Hawkins had been discovered by Joseph Preston, keeper of the Oakwood Cemetery, who was driving to Brentwood with William Gooder about 9 o'clock in the morning. Their attention was attracted to it by the red shawl. Just before they reached the place were it lay a man had passed them in a wagon, and, suspecting that he might know something of the affair, they turned about and went in pursuit of him. They failed to catch up with him and continued on their way to Bay Shore, where they hunted up Justice of the Peace Seth R. Platt and told him what they had seen. The Justice telegraphed to Coroner Edwards, of Patehogue, and accompanied by a number of Bay Shore people went to the place where they body lay, face downward, by the roadside. The marks made by the wagon wheels were still plainly visible, as were also the imprints of the horse's feet. Among the party was George Thorne, a blacksmith, of Bay Shore, who, when he saw the foot prints of the horse, said that the shoes which the horse wore were undoubtedly put on by Blacksmith Burr, of Bay Shore. One of the shoes was very narrow at the heel, and left an oval mark, and another was evidently broken. Mr. Burr said that he had shod a horse for Mr. Snedeker with a shoe similar to the one first described, and when Mr. Snedeker was asked if that horse had been out on Saturday night he said it had, and that Asbury Hawkins had driven it. The horse was brought out and Michael Whalen, a blacksmith, took off the two shoes, which were sent to where the body was found. When they were tried in the impressions they fitted exactly, and this gave the clue to the assassin.

When Coroner Edwards arrived and learned the facts he gave a permit for the removal of Mrs. Hawkins body and it was borne to her home. Then, followed by the crowd which had collected, the Coroner went to Bay Shore to await the arrival there of young Hawkins. Mr. Shedeker recalled that when Hawkins returned the night before he had seen him throw something into a pond back of the barn, and with Arthur Downing, Superintendent of the life leaving station, made a search. Downing fished out a pistol, one of the cartridges in which had been exploded. Besides this a big red spot which looked like a blood stain was discovered on the barn floor at the place where the buggy had stood. By this time a large crowd was collected about the stable, among them being a great many residents of Islip.

When Grace Hawkins arose in the morning she missed her mother, and finding that her bed had not been slept on she went across the street to the house of her uncle, P. J. Hawkins, thinking Mrs. Hawkins might have gone there because of sickness in the family. Not finding her there, Grace inquired of other neighbors, but without success, and then she became alarmed. Mr. Hawkins and the missing woman's brother, Jesse Clock, started for Mrs. Smith's house to see if she was there, and were met on the way by Mr. Preston, who was returning from Bay Shore. He informed them of the finding of the dead body. They hurried to the place and recognized their sister. The news was taken into Islip just as the people were gathering for the morning services at the churches. The churches were abandoned and then congregations rushed off pell-mell to the scene of the murder. A great many went over to Bay Shore at the heels of the Coroner.

As soon as suspicion was directed to Asbury Hawkins, Supervisor Robbins and several others started for North Port in hot pursuit of him. They returned to Snedeker's stable a short time before he did, and when he alighted, evidently under the influence of liquor, the Supervisor met him with this demand: "You must give an account of your movements last night." The young matricide, without a change of expression or a word of surprise, observed that he could easily do so, and he then told a story of his having gone to Babylon. The death of his mother was not referred to, and he accounted for the blood in the buggy and on his coat and cuffs, which had been found at his home in Bay Shore, by saying that this nose had bled badly.

Coroner Edwards then stepped up and, tapping Hawkins on the shoulder, said, "Asbury, I must place you under arrest for the murder of your mother." Big beads of perspiration started out on the prisoner's forehead, his face assumed an ashen hue, and he staggered and shook as if with palsy as he stammered, "I don't know anything about it." Then he suddenly recovered his firmness and resolutely closed his mouth. As Constable Egbert Benjamin could not be found, Coroner Edwards deputed Charles Brown to act in his stead temporarily. Brown, taking Hawkins into his buggy, started for his restaurant in Islip. As they went by the house where the mangled body of his mother was lying, the murderer broke out with the song, "Climbing Up the Golden Stairs" and alternately singing and whistling, was at length placed in a room of the restaurant under guard.

The place was at once surrounded by an excited and angry crowd, and sullen and ever increasing murmers were head, until at last some one shouted, "He ought to by lynched!" This remark was greeted with approving echoes, and Mr. Brown, becoming frightened, called in the assistance of a number of the cooler headed men of the town to help him protect the prisoner. Islip fortunately has no place within its borders where liquor is sold, the nearest grog shop being a mile away, and the crowd soon became cool.

Coroner Edwards opened court in the Town Hall at Islip in the afternoon, and ordered the Constable to bring Hawkins before him. The young matricide was followed by his counsel, Timothy Griffin, who waived examination. The Coroner then committed the accused to Riverhead Jail to await the action of the Grand Jury.

While these proceedings were going on a rumor spread that young Hawkins had made a confession. The rumor was confirmed a little later by a near relative of the prisoner, who stated that Asbury had made a private confession to his uncle, Nathaniel Oakley Clock. The full confession could not be obtained, Mr. Clock declining to make it public, but in substance it was the story as given above.

New York Times (New York, New York) - December 6, 1887

THE TRIAL OF YOUNG HAWKINS

Justice Charles F. Brown opened a special term of the Court of Oyer and Terminer at Belvidere, Long Island, yesterday, for the purpose of trying Franklin A. Hawkins, indicted for murder in the first degree for the killing of his mother at Islip on Oct. 1, and George Goebelein, indicted for the murder of Mrs. Catherine Schauffert at Breslau on Oct. 8. It is probably, however, the the Hawkins case will be the only one tried, as counsel for Goebelein have applied for the appointment of a commission to go to Germany to take the testimony intended to prove the prisoner's insanity.

Great interest is manifested in the Hawkins case, owing to the prominence of the prisoner's connections and the atrocity of his crime. A large number of strangers from all parts of the island arrived on the morning trains to attend the trial. An extra panel of 200 talesmen was drawn during the last session of the court in October, but it is expected that another extra panel will have to be drawn before 12 men satisfactory to both sides are obtained, and the greater part of the week will be consumed in selecting them. District Attorney Wilmot M. Smith conducts the prosecution. Counselor Timothy J. Griffin and ex-District Attorney N. D. Petty appear for the defendant. Hawkins continues as morose and uncommunicative as ever, but displays apparently greater appreciation of his position than at any time since the tragedy.

The Bradford Era (Bradford, PA) - December 8, 1887

Found Guilty of Murder

RIVER HEAD, L. I., Dec. 7 - Francis Asbury Hawkins, who shot his mother for objecting to his marriage with a servant girl, was to-day found guilty of murder in the first degree. The defense was insanity.

Fitchburg Sentinel (Fitchburg, Mass) - December 11, 1888

MURDERED HIS MOTHER
The Crime of Young Asbury HAwkins,
Who Hangs To-Day

NEW YORK, Dec. 11 - Young Asbury Hawkins will be hanged at the Suffolk county jail early this morning. He has abandoned hope and awaits sluggishly the noose by which he will expiate the brutal murder of his mother, committed Saturday evening, Oct 1, 1886.

The young fellow is 23 years of age. His mother was strongly opposed to his marriage with a pretty servant girl, Hattie Spreck. Asbury took his mother out in a wagon at 9 o'clock in the evening to talk over the matter with her, as he wished to marry the girl the following day, Sunday. Finding Mrs. Hawkins obdurate in her opposition to his marriage he drew a revolver and shot her three times in the head. He then dragged her body to some bushes at the side of the lonely sand road between Islip, L. I., where he lived, and Brentwood cemetery.

This was at 10 o'clock Saturday night. The body was discovered Sunday noon, and young Asbury was arrested for the muder a few hours later, when he returned from Northport, where he had taken the wagon to wash it. He confessed fully, and said he killed his mother because she would not consent to his marriage with the girl Hattie Spreck. He was tried Dec. 7, 1887, in Suffolk county. The defense was insanity and absence of premeditation. His father was insane for some months before his death, which occurred in 1880.

The plea for the young murderer was not borne out by the evidence. The jury was out three hours, and returned a verdict of guilty as charged. Hawkins was then sentenced to be hanged. The Suffolk county gallows is worm eaten and rickety, through thirty years of desuetude, so the Tombs gallows will be taken to the place of execution and the young murderer will swing therefrom.

Hawkins was exceedingly nervous and frightened at the time of his arrest, so that although he went to marry his Hattie with his mother's blood hardly dry on his hands, the next day, he had not the nerve to remain for the ceremony, but went to his home and was there arrested. On his trial and when his sentence was pronounced he was perfectly unmoved and seemed indifferent. He is a well built young fellow, weighing about 170 pounds, and not ill looking.

The News (Frederick, Maryland) - December 14, 1888

Francis Asbury Hawkins, who was executed for matricide, was buried in Oakwood cemetery, at Islip, L. I. His sweetheart wept bitterly at his grave.

St. Joseph Herald (Saint Joseph, Michigan) - December 15, 1888

On the 11th Francis Asbury Hawkins, who murdered his mother a year ago because she objected to his marrying, was hanged at Riverhead, N.Y.

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Documents:

Islip, Suffolk, New York - July 6, 1870
1870 United States Federal Census

Hawkins, Frank E - m34, lumber dealer, $5,000 - b NY
Hawkins, Cynthiana - f32, Keeping House, $1,500 - b NY
Hawkins, Francis A. - m4 - b NY
Ritchie, Louise - f13 - b NY
Jeffery, Estella - f9 - b NY

Islip, Suffolk, New York - June 15, 1880
1880 Unite States Federal Census

Hawkins, Franky - wm 44 (dead) - lumber yard
Hawkins, Cynthia (wife) - wf 42 - keeping house
Hawkins, Asbery (son) - wm 14 - school
Hawkins, Grace (daughter) - wf 8 - school
Hawkins, Willie J. (son) - wm 3

A Woman Murdered - 1879

Now it all makes sense! At first glance, the articles dated June and July don't seem to have anything to do with the articles dated October and December. At first I had come across the June articles and went in search for more information. I couldn't find anything on the names of the people, so I tried to find out more about the area. Eventually I found "Griffintown", badly misspelled in all but one of the articles, which was an Irish district of Montreal for over a century starting in the 1820s. The Wikipedia article for this district mentioned a documentary of a ghost story of "Mary Gallagher" - a prostitute that was murdered in 1879 on Williams Street and is still searching for her head. I knew this couldn't be a coincidence, there had to be some connection between this old ghost story and the articles that I had found.

Believed to be the scene of the crime - cor of Williams and Murray Sts.

Then I found the October and December articles which mentioned Mary Gallagher, Susan Kennedy and Michael Flannagan, the names there were mentioned in the ghost story, but with no details to confirm it was the same as my June articles of if the two had some how gotten confused with each other over the decades. Finally I found "The Dominion: An Annual Register and Review" which detailed the entire incidence and confirmed that they were the same story - and that the American newspapers had butchered the facts.

The name "Mrs. McCormick, alias Conway" is a version of Mary's married named of "Connolly". "Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs" are really "Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Mears". The rest is the same with the exception of the American newspaper omitting all information regarding Michael Flannagan and the reason for the crime.

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The articles:

Galveston Daily News (Galveston, Texas) - June 29, 1879

MONTREAL, June 28. - At a late hour last night the mutilated body of a women named McCormick, alias Conway, was found in a house on William street, Graffinton. The house, which is in a low part of the city, is occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs, and is frequented by dissipated characters. When the police visited the place at midnight a horrible scare presented itself. The body of the unfortunate woman was lying in a pool of blood, while her head, completely severed from her body, was placed in a basket close by, in which was found her right hand. A drunken brawl had been going on during the early part of the day, and it is supposed the murder was committed in the afternoon. Mrs. Jacobs has been arrested, all the circumstances so far pointing to her as the murderer.

Daily Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) - June 29, 1879

MONTREAL, June 23 - At a late hour last night the mutilated body of a woman named McCormick alias Conway, was found in a house on William street, the Grafferton house, which is in the low part of the city occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs, and is frequented by dissipated characters. When the police visited the place at midnight a horrible scene presented itself. The body of the unfortunate woman was lying in a pool of blood, while her head, completely severed from her body, was placed in a basket close by, in which was found her right hand. A durnken brawl had been going on during the early part of the day, and it is supposed the murder was committed in the afternoon. Mrs. Jacobs has been arrested, all the circumstances so far pointing to her as the murderer.

Fort Wayne Weekly Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Ind.) - July 2, 1879

Montreal, June 28. - Mrs. McCormick, alias Conway, was murdered last night in a low house in Griffintown. The body was lying in a pool of blood. The head and hand, severed from the body, were in a pail.

Daily Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) - October 5, 1879

Mrs. Susan Kennedy Miars, in Montreal, has been found guilty of the murder of Mary Gallagher and sentenced to the banged on the 5th of December next.

Daily Kennebec Journal (Augusta, Maine) - October 6, 1879

Susan Kennedy Mars was found guilty of the murder of Mary Gallagher, and sentenced to be hanged on the 5th of December.

Sedalia Daily Democrat (Sedalia, Missouri) - Dec. 7, 1879

Michael Flannigan, who was acquitted of the charge of the murder of Mary Gallagher, was accidently drowned in the canal basin, at Montreal, on Friday. A singular circumstance connected with the drowning is that he was drowned on the same day and same hour on which Susan Kennedy was to have been executed. She was convicted of murder, and her sentence was commuted to imprisonment for life.

Stevens Point Journal (Stevens Point, Wis.) - Dec. 13, 1879

Michael Flannagan, acquitted of the charge of complicity in the murder of Mary Gallagher, was accidentally drowned on the 6th instant, in the new canal at Point St. Charles, Canada. It is remarked that the hour and day on which Flannagan was drowned are the same as appointed for the execution of Susan Kennedy, whose sentence has been commuted to imprisonment in the penitentiary for life.

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Documents:

The Dominion - Annual Register and Review - 1879

October 1st - Susan Kennedy, wife of Jacob Mears, is placed on trial before the Court of Queen's Bench, Montreal, His Honor Judge Monk presiding, charged with having murdered Mary Gallagher, wife of James Connelly, on the 27th June. The murder was commited in the upper portions of the tenement house No. 242 William street, in the portion of the city commonly called "Griffintown"; and appears to have been the result of a drunken quarrel between the two women about a man named Michael Flannagan, who had come into the house early in the morning with the deceased. Both the women were known to the police as loose and disorderly characters. The murder appears to have been committed about midday, but it was not until nine o'clock in the evening that the police heard of it and visit the house. The body of the murdered woman was then found lying on the floor, with the head and one hand cut off and placed in a tub by the side of the body; and the woman Mears lying half drunk on a bed in a back room. It appeared that when the woman Gallagher and the man Flannagan came in together in the morning they sent Mrs. Meare for a bottle of whiskey which the three of them drunk; Flannagan then went to sleep and the two women got quarreling when Mrs. Mears murdered her companion by striking her with an axe. Fourteen cuts were found on the head and neck. The defense endeavoured to show insanity, but failed; and the jury brought in a verdict of willful murder, which a recommendation to mercy. Susan Kennedy was sentenced to be hanged on the 5th of December; but her sentence was commuted for imprisonment for life. Flanagan was also tried for murder and acquitted; but, by a curious coincidence, he was drowned in the Lachine Canal on the very day Kennedy was to have been hung, 5th December.

Deed of a Demon - 1884

There were several identical copies of the Newark Daily Advocate article printed in newspapers across the country from October 1 to October 10, 1884. All of the articles are virtually identical. I thought the only exception was that some refer to the date of the incident as September 30th - either by giving the date exactly or saying "yesterday" when the article was printed on Oct 1. Then I came across this Daily Gazette article which gives a much more detailed account, and the Evening Observer article which was similar but different than the others in its writing. It's really incredibly sad. Contrary to the articles, the Illinois state archives show that the woman who died that day was "Francis Jane Shay, died Sept 30, 1884". Her coroners inquest was filed on October 3, 1884. I was not able to find any record of Michael or the baby - either birth or death records or marriage or criminal records. Illinois has a very good database, but you must write the name exactly and can't search by date.

409 S. Clark Street today - located approx. at the tall late
19th century building. I don't have the dates that these
building were built, but at least one of them might
have been present in Oct 1884.

The Daily Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) - October 2, 1884

CAUSED BY DRINK

A Drunken Demon Beats His Wife to
Death with Her Dead Babe.

CHICAGO, October 1 - A drunken husband committed last night an act which could scarcely be exceeded for brutality and inhumanity. Michael Shay and his wife Mary lived at 409 South Clark street. Last evening about 6 o'clock Dr. Camp was called to attend Mrs. Shay, who shortly after gave birth to a still-born babe. About 8 o'clock he was again called in, and found the woman in an almost dying condition, which, it was apparent to him, was not the result of maternity. Feeling that she had been abused by some one he summoned into the house Officer Patrick Walsh and told him his opinion. This led to inquiries and to statements from Clyde Nelson and wife living at the corner of Seven-teenth and Clark streets. They say that they were in the sick woman's room when her husband Michael came in, in an intoxicated condition. Seeing his wife lying helpless in the bed and the dead babe by her side, and finding no liquor in the house to still further brutalize himself, if that were possible, he picked up the dead infant and commenced to beat his wife with it. From the effects of that sickening brutality Mary Shay died about 11 o'clock last night.

Shay was arrested and is now locked up in the Harrison street station. He was at 1 o'clock this morning so stupefied with whisky that he could neither comprehend the enormity of his crime nor give an intelligent answer to questions asked him. Shay and his wife have both been addicted to drink, and have had many quarrels arising from it.

Harrison Street Station - where Michael was taken
after he murdered his wife.

Evening Observer (Dunkirk, New York) - October 2, 1884

A Beastly Husband's Crime.

CHICAGO, October 2 - Mrs. Micael Shay, of 400 Clark Street, gave birth to a stillborn child Tuesday. She was robust and in no danger when the physician left her. Upon visiting her again last evening, however, the doctor found her dying. He learned that Clyde Woods and wife were in the room with Mrs. Shay when her husband came home in a beastly state of intoxication. Going up to the bedside of his wife he sized the body of the dead child by the legs and beat his wife over the head with it as she lay on the couch. When exhausted with his brutal assault, he fell to the floor insensible from drink. He was taken to the Armory and locked up. At twelve o'clock the woman died.

Newark Daily Advocate (Newark, Ohio) - October 2, 1884

Deed of a Demon

CHICAGO, Oct 2. - A hideous crime has been committed here almost unparralleled in its atrocity. Michael Shay, living in a miserable hovel at 409 Clark street, went home during the night, in a drunken state, and with the body of the dead infant to which his wife had given birth during the night, beat his wife to death. When arrested Shay was in such a sodden condition that nothing intelligent could be obtained from him.

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Documents:

1619? South Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois - June 11, 1880
1880 United States Federal Census

[There is no way to know for sure if this is the same Michael Shay, as it is a common name and there were several living in Chicago, but this is the only man by this name that lived on Clark Street just four years before the article. Also the street #'s seemed confused and can't be relied upon.]

Shay, Michael - wm age 39, boarder, laborer, born Ireland

MAD MAN'S WICKED DEED

I don't even know what this article is about, as soon as I read the headlines I knew I had to transcribe it. That has got to be a testament to the artistry of the old headlines. ... Ok, I have now read and transcribed this article and, yup, it's pretty bad. I was actually shocked as I read it, sounded like something in a horror film - which of course hadn't been invented yet when this occurred. I don't think you could even find anything like this in fiction of that day.

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The article:

Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyn, New York) - February 24, 1884

THE INSANE MURDERER

Examination of Henry C. Ely for the
Killing of John Harden

HARTFORD, Conn., February 23
The hearing in the case of Henry C. Ely, the insane murderer of John Harden, was held at East Granby this morning. The witnesses were B. W. Cowles, Ely' brother in law, and William F. Johnson, a farm hand. The prisoner, on being asked if he was guilty or not arose and answered that he was not guilty, and addressing himself to the Judge added: "Sir, I was justified in killing Harden." Then he sat down and, letting his head fall upon his shoulder, fell asleep. The prisoner was bound over for trial and was lodged in the county jail. The father and brother of the murdered man arrived in Tariffville last night and took the body in charge. It was shipped to Brooklyn this morning.

Arrival of the Remains in the Eastern District

The remains of John Joseph Harden, the victim of the insane rage of Henry Ely of Spoonville, one of the suburbs of Hartford, Conn, were taken to the home of his father, Mr. Patrick Harden, on Third street, near North Second, last evening. The body was attired in a rich habit and arranged in a casket, so that a casual observer could not detect that the head had been severed from the body. The casket rested int eh center of the parlor of the second floor. The face wore a calm expression as if in sleep, and they only external mark on it was a bruise on the right side. During the evening hundreds of people who are acquainted with the family called and viewed the body and spoke words of condolence to the bereaved parents. The funeral will take place Monday at 9 AM. The remains will be taken to St. Vincent de Paul's Church, on North Sixth street, where a requiem mass will be celebrated. The internment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Mr. Thomas C. Harden, a brother of the deceased, who accompanied his father to Spoonville, stated to an EAGLE reporter last evening that they could obtain but few, if any, additional facts about the tragedy. Mr. Ely's sister, Mrs. Cowles, seemed very reticent, and the family generally were uncommunicative. Mr. Harden said that his brother took charge of Henry Ely at the request of MR. John Ely principally, since no other person seemed to be able to manage the lunatic so well as he could. As stated, in yesterday's Eagle, a strong attachment existed between Henry Ely and John J. Harden, and when young Harden tired of keeping vigil over Ely about two months ago and quitted Spoonville, the insane man seemed to feel it keenly. Harden secured an interest in the cigar factory of Mr. Conroy, of Hartford, a relative of Ely, and endeavored to drum up a business in the Eastern District. Harden did not like the business, and at the request of Mr. Cowles, proprietor of the St. John Hotel, Hartford, went in there last Thursday week with the intention of arranging matters so that he could purchase an interest in the hostlery. He stopped at the hotel and settled up his accounts with Mr. Conroy. Last Thursday evening a son of Mr. Cowles, Henry Ely's brother in law, a man aged about 22 years, invited Harden to visit his residence and too Mr. Ely. Harden assented, and after reaching Spoonville he ordered Ely, at the request of his sister, to change his clothing. The lunatic at first defied him, saying that Harden had not charge of him any longer, but when ordered sternly to do as he was requested he begged to have the matter postponed until the next morning. Harden consented.

At 8 o'clock Friday morning Harden went ot the extension, or, as it is called, the woodhouse, fromt he fact of the wood being chopped up there, to wash himself. While his head was bent over the basin Ely secured the dull ax near by, and, with the first blow probably, killed Harden. The unfortunate man fell on his back and the infuriated lunatic continued to rain blow after blow on the neck of the prostrate man until the head was completely severed. A singular circumstance is that neither Mrs. Cowles nor her son made any effort to stop Ely while engaged in his savage work. Mrs. Cowles stated afterward that she locked herself and her son in the house, fearing that Ely would injure them. Mr. Patrick Harden and his son got a permit from the Coroner to remove the remains.

Chester Times (Chester, Pennsylvania) - February 25, 1884

VICTIM OF A MADMAN'S RAGE

The Headless Body of Mr. Harden Brought from Spoonville

BROOKLYN, Feb. 25 - In a rich habit the remains of John Joseph Harden, whose head was severed from his body on Friday at Spoonville, Ct., by Henry Ely, a lunatic, reposed in a handsome coffin in the parlor of his brother's house on Third street, Williamsburg. The undertaker had so skillfully arranged the body that no one could detect that Ely's axe had cut the head from the trunk. The only mark noticeable upon the face as a bruise on the right side, while the features had a peaceful expression. Mr. Harden, a brother of the dead man, said that the latter took charge of Henry Ely at the request of John Ely because he seemed to be best able to manage the lunatic. Ely seemed strongly attached to the keeper, and when young Harden tired of keeping vigil over him two months ago and quitted Spoonville the insane man seemed to take it keenly. Harden returned to the place on a visit on Thursday, and in the evening, at the invitation of Mr. Cowles, a brother-in-law of the lunatic, went to see him at the former's house. White there he ordered Ely, at the request of his sister, to change his clothing. The lunatic at first defined him, saying that Harden had not charge of him any longer, but when ordered sternly to do as he was requested, he begged to have the matter postponed until the next morning. Harden consented.

At 8 o'clock Friday morning Harden went to the extension, or, as it is called, the woodhouse, from the fact of the wood being chopped up there, to wash himself. While his head was bent over the basin, Ely secured the dull axe near by and, with the first blow, probably, killed Harden. The unfortunate man fell on his back, and the infuriated lunatic rained blow after blow on the neck of the prostrate man until the head was completely severed.

The funeral took place at 9 o'clock this morning from St. Vincent de Paul's Roman Catholic church.

New York Times (New York, New York) - February 25, 1884

The body of John J. Harden, whose head was cut off with an axe by Henry C. Ely at Spoonville, Conn., on Friday, arrived in Brooklyn yesterday and was taken to the home of his father, in Third-street, near North Second-street. The funeral will probly take place to-day.

Newark Daily Advocate (Newark, Ohio) - February 25, 1884

MAD MAN'S WICKED DEED

HIDEOUS BRUTALITY REVEALED

The Details of One of the Worst Cases
of Cold-Blooded Brutality on
Record --- A Bad
Showing.

HARTFORD, Conn., Feb. 25. - Henry Ely was some years ago one of the firm of Ely Brothers, wholesale liquor dealers of New York City, but fast living impaired his mind and he became a lunatic. His friends placed him in various asylums and finally employed John S. Harding, of Brooklyn, to take care of him. Last fall Harding and Ely went to live with the latter's sister, Mrs. Whitfield B. Cowles, at Spoonville, a little manufacturing hamlet about eight miles from this city. Ely was generally quiet, but his friends warned Harding that he would have to watch the lunatic at all times. Early in the morning Harding and Ely were about the stable. Harding was doing some chores for Mrs. Cowles. When he had finished he bent over a pail of water to wash his face. The lunatic crept quietly towards him and taking up a sharp axe which was against the barn, suddenly brought it down on Harding's outstretched neck. The head fell forward on the man's bosom, but was not entirely severed from the trunk. Ely again raise the bloody axe, and with one blow separated head and body and rolled the trunk to one side. Dancing in his insane glee, he kicked the head about the yard, while uttering wild, frenzied shouts.

Mrs. Cowles ran to the door of her house when she heard the noise, but was driven back with horror when she saw Harding's bloody head rolling towards her. "There, I guess I've fixed him now," said the lunatic throwing the axe to one side and clapping his hands.

When Mrs. Cowles saw what frightful work had been done by her brother, she fled from the scene and ran to the house of her husband's father, at some distance, and gave the alarm. Her son William was there, and he was the first one to appear on the scene. He found Ely coolly serveying the work he had done. He readily showed where the axe was with which the deed had been committed, and appeared perfectly calm, and without any apparent concern or excitement. Mr. Edwards, the town Coroner, soon appeared at the scene, and immediately telegraphed to the Country Coroner Sperry, of this city, information of the affair.

Ely has been insane for some years, and insanity seems to have been hereditary in his family, as both his mother and sister have been insane at different times, the sister having been released from the Retreat for the Insane in this city only a few days ago. She resides in Bloomfield. The family is a respectable one and is in good circumstances. Harding was about twenty-eight years old and Ely about thirty. Of late Ely fancied that Harding had a grudge against him, and this is supposed to have been the motive.

Standard (Albert Lea, Minnesota) - March 5, 1884

Henry C. Ely, a prominent merchant of New Haven, Conn., who has been insane for seven years, murdered Jacob J. Harden, who was visiting him.

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Documents:

Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut - April 6, 1860
1860 United States Federal Census

Seth Ely - m 24, merchant, born Connecticut
Jane Ely - f 18, born Connecticut
Mary N. Cornish - f 50, born Connecticut
Henry Ely - m 11, born Connecticut
Kate Daniel - f 22 - machine operator

East Granby, Hartford, Connecticut - June 4, 1880
1880 United States Federal Census

Cowles, William B. - wm 67 - farmer - b. Conn
Cowles, B. Whitfield - wm 38 (son) - farmer - b. Conn
Cowles, Jane E. - wf 37 (daughter-in-law) - keeping house - b. Conn
Cowles, Rollin - wm 15 (grandson) - b. Conn
Harger, Isabella - wf 53 - b. Conn
Phelps, Gilbert - wm 24 - has consumption - b. Conn
Ely, Henry C. - wm 30, bourder - b. Conn
Hardeen, John - wm 21, bourder - b. New York

Connecticut Hospital for the Insane, Middleton, CT - June 8, 1900
1900 United States Federal Census

Ely, Henry C. - patient - wm 50, single, born in Connecticut

Connecticut Hospital for the Insane, Middleton, CT - April 28, 1910

Ely, Henry C. - boarder - wm 60, single, born in Connecticut

Mountain Man and Mistress Kill Wife - 1884

This one just sucks. A poor women named Mary Colt (whose name I got from census records, it isn't mentioned in the articles), lived in a "wooden structure" at the top of a mountain with her criminal husband, son and his mistress. Her husband, their ten year old son! AND the mistress had been arrested the April earlier for shooting/stabbing and axing a man to death. Separately, articles mentioned that the husband, Frank, had also been arrested for shooting a man that summer for entering his house. They apparently got off for the murder, and the shooting in the summer, because they were back on the mountain by January. Mrs. Colt was forced to work for the two, support them and feed them, while they sat idle and had a good ol' time on the mountain. She feared of what was coming around the pike and warned some people that she believed her husband may want to kill her. Then one day she was found dead, possibly poisoned, in her house. The Galveston article is the one I originally found, and then I came across the New York version which gave more exact details. When I look further I found the Watertown article!!!! Searching the census records, we see the Franklin and Mary married sometime before 1867 and had two earlier children - Franklin 3rd and Minnie. I haven't found anything else about Minnie, but Frank is listed as "maimed, crippled or otherwise disabled" and living in the Warren County Poor House, at age 13, in 1880. Can't help but wonder what happened to those poor souls. I haven't found anything else about what happened to the case or these people - if anyone has additional info, please let me know.

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The articles:

Watertown Daily Times (Watertown, New York) - April 24, 1883

A bloody affray occurred at a farm house on Luzerne mountain, six miles from Glens Falls, in which George Dean, a resident of Luzerne, was cut in the arm with an ax, stabbed in the abdomen with a pocket knife, and shot in the back with a revolver. Frank Colt did the shooting, Nancy White used the ax, and Colt's ten-year-old boy employed the knife. All were roughly handled by Dean; he is dead and they are in jail.

Galveston Daily News (Galveston, Texas) - Jan 1, 1884

A Suspicious Death

GLEN'S FALLS, N.Y., December 31 - Great excitement prevails over the mysterious death of the wife of Frank Colts, at the top of Luzerne mountain, where Colts occupies a rough structure in the woods. A white woman of bad character had been an inmate of the place. She and Colts lived together in idleness, while the wife was compelled to work to support them. The pair are suspected of poisoning Mrs. Colts. The deceased frequently expressed a fear that her husband would kill her. The coroner will investigate the matter.

The New York Times (New York, New York) - January 1, 1884

A WOMAN'S SUSPICIOUS DEATH

GLEN'S FALLS, N. Y., Dec. 31. - Great excitement prevails here over the mysterious death of the wife of Frank Colts late this afternoon on the top of Luzerne Mountain, six miles north of here. The husband of the deceased woman occupies a rough, wooden structure in the woods. Nancy White, a woman of bad character, has been an inmate of the place for over a year. She and Colts lived together in idleness, while his wife has been compelled by him to work out and earn money and provisions for the support of the two. Although neighbors live within a few yards of Colt's house, not a word was heard of his wife being sick until some one went to the house and found her dead. The deceased woman frequently told the neighbors that her husband would kill her, and many believe that her fears were realized. Colts and Nancy White are suspected of having given the woman poison. The Coroner will investigate the case to-morrow. Colts was arrested last Summer for shooting two men who attempted to gain admission to his house, where the White woman was.

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Documents:

Queensbury, Glen Falls, Warren, New York - August 2, 1860
1860 United States Federal Census

Colt, Franklin - wm age 55, laborer, b. Canada
Colt, Mary - wf age 48, b. Canada
Colt, Franklin - wm age 14, b. Canada
Colt, Orson - wm age 16, b. Canada

Jail Record Book (1868-1883), Warren Count, New York

Colt, Franklin page 16 - November 10, 1869
Colt, Franklin Jr. page 26 - June 27, 1870

Luzerne, Warren, New York - July 15, 1870
1870 US Federal Census

Colts, Franklin - wm 76, stone mason, born Canada
Colts, Mary - wf 88, keeping house, born Canada
Colts, Franklin Jr - wm 28, farm hand, born NY
Colts, Joseph - wm 25, Works in Gannery, born NY
Colts, Mary J. - wm 28, at home, born NY
Colts, Franklin 3rd - wm 3, born NY
Colts, Minnie - wf 1, born NY

Criminal Indictment Records - Warren County, NY

Colt, Franklin Jr - indicted Sept 22, 1870 (no details)

Warren County Poor House, Warrensburgh, NY - June 2, 1880
1880 United States Federal Census
[The Almshouse records note that he was admitted Dec 14, 1875]

Colt, Frank - wm age 13, inmate, at school, born in New York
marked as "maimed, crippled, or otherwise disabled"

Village of Luzerne, Warren, New York - June 7, 1880
1880 United States Federal Census

Dean, Orrin - wm 60 - farmer - born NY
Dean, Amanda (wife) - wf 51 - keeping house - born NY
Dean, George (son) - wm 28 - farmer - born NY

Village of Luzerne, Warren, New York - June 8, 1880
1880 United States Federal Census

Colt, Franklin Jr. - wm age 35, farmer, b Canada, pb Canada
Colt, Mary J. (wife) - wf age 37, keeping house, b NY, pb NY
Colt, Charley (son) - wm age 6, at home, b NY, pb NY

Warrensburg, Warren Co., NY - 1890 Veterans Schedules
[this would be Frank Sr., father of the criminal]

Colt, Franklin D, Private - Co. E
Enlisted: Aug 20, 1863
Discharged: Aug 20, 1864
Enlisted: September 1864
Discharged: August 1865
Served: 1 year and 11 months.

of Lucerne, New York - Chronic Diaorrhaia
Gun shot wound in left hip.

Lesbian Murder Suicide - 1896

Mary Linnett was born in about 1878, her father was a contractor. She developed an infatuation with her next door neighbor, an older woman named Frances Sharman. Under unknown circumstances, Mary tried to kill Miss Sharman and was put into an insane asylum. She was later released and developed a 2nd infatuation with a Miss Elizabeth Trowbridge, the niece of Judge Sherwood of Elgin, Illinois. Judge David Sherman was married to Philury "Lula" Trowbridge, daughter of Stephen Trowbridge. She had at least five older brothers, any one of which may have been Elizabeth's father (see 1850 Census). On April 16, 1896, without warning, Mary shot and killed Elizabeth and then herself on So. State Street, very near to the Judge's home. An odd possible side effect of this was the death of Elizabeth's aunt, Lula Trowbridge Sherwood, who died a year later in October 1897 of "nervous prostration" - an emotional disorder that leaves you exhausted and unable to work.

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Articles:

Hamilton Daily Republican (Hamilton, Ohio) - June 24, 1895

Strange Love of a Girl

CHICAGO, June 24 - A mad infatuation of Miss Frances Sharman led Mary Linnett, of 43 North Campbell avenue, to make an attempt upon the former's life Sunday morning. Miss Sharman, who lives at 45 North Campbell avenue, is about 35 years old. Mary is not yet 17. The latter formed an attachment for the elder woman, and it is said grew insanely jealous whenever Miss Sharman ever so much as spoke to another.

Batavia Herald (Batavia, Illinois) - April 16, 1896

Mary Linnett of Chicago Kills Miss Trowbridge of Elgin.

Miss Elizabeth Trowbridge, of Elgin, was shot dead in South State street about 8 o'clock Monday night, by Miss Mary Linnett of 43 North Campbell avenue, Chicago, who then killed herself. About two years ago Miss Linnett became infatuated with another Chicago girl, whom she attempted to kill because the girl would not consent to live with her. She was adjudged insane and was sent to the Elgin asylum, where Miss Trobridge was an attendant. She was discharged last December as cured. She had become much attached to Miss Trowbridge, and tried hard to get her to come to Chicago and live with her. Miss Trowbridge was out walking with her sister, Alice last evening, when Miss Linnett came up behind her and shot her without warning. Miss Linnett was 18 years old, and was a general favorite. Miss Linnett's father is a contractor, and was formerly in the employ of the Chicago board of education. Supt. Loewy of the insane hospital testified at the inquest on Miss Mary Linnett and Miss Elizabeth Trowbridge that Miss Linnett was undoubtedly insane. Her victim had been warned of the danger, as friends feared such an outcome of their association. Miss Trowbridge, while in charge of Miss Linnett, had noticed suicidal tendencies.

Fort Wayne Weekly Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) - April 16, 1896

KILLS HER FRIEND

Murder Followed by Suicide on State Street in Elgin, ILL.

Elgin, Ill., April 15. - At 8 o'clock Monday evening a tragedy was committed on State street, near the residence of Judge David B. Sherwood. One of the victims was his cousin, Elizabeth Trowbridge, aged 35 years; the other was Miss Mary Linnett, aged 18. They were walking Miss Alice Trowbridge, a sister of Elizabeth. Suddenly without any warning or indication of what was to happen Miss Linnett drew from her pocket a revolver and shot Elizabeth Trowbridge, the bullet taking effect in her heart. She fell dead, and the murderess placed the weapon against her own temple and followed murder with suicide. Miss Alice Trowbridge ran screaming to Judge Sherwood's house and told the awful story. It appears that the murderess had been a patient at the asylum. Last December she was discharged as cured. She went to her home in Chicago and is believed to have remained there until she came out Monday. The murderess tried to induce her victim to accompany her to Chicago. Failing in this, the two walked down the street to where Alice Trowbridge boarded, and with her were retracing their footsteps when the tragedy occurred. The prominence of the two parties, and the fact that Miss Linnett is reported to have been concerned in a somewhat similar tragedy in Chicago a few years ago, lends additional interest to the affair. Miss Trowbridge was an asylum attendant.

Batavia Herald - October 14, 1897

Death of Mrs. D. B. Sherwood

Mrs. D. B. Sherwood, wife of ex-Judge Sherwood of the Probate Court died Sunday, Oct 10 of nervous prostration at her home in Elgin. She was 52 years of age and was prominent in church and society circles of Elgin. Mrs. Sherwood was a member of the Episcopalian Church, and the funeral was conducted by the Rev. J. Stewart Smith of Kansas City.

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Documents:

Town of Russia, Lorain, Ohio - August 1, 1850
1850 United States Federal Census

Trowbridge, Stephen - m 46, farmer, born NY
Trowbridge, Almira - f 42, born NY
Trowbridge, Barton - m 20, born NY - farmer
Trowbridge, Asenath? - f 19, born NY
Trowbridge, Gardiner - 14 m, born NY
Trowbridge, Stephen - 11 m, born NY
Trowbridge, Levi - 9 m, born NY
Trowbridge, Charles - 6 m, born NY
Trowbridge, Philury - 4 f, born NY

263 South Street, Elgin, Illinois - June 10, 1880
1880 United States Federal Census

Sherwood, David - wm 32 born in Ill, pb NY - lawyer
Sherwood, Lula (wife) - wf 34 born NY, pb NY - housewife
Sherwood, Martha (dau) - wf 5, born Texas
Sherwood, Granville (son) - wm 1, born Illinois
Trowbridge, Stephen (father-in-law) -
---wm age 75 - retd Farmer, b NY, pb Conn
Gibson, Lizza (servant) - wf age 20 - servant

45 N. Campbell Ave., Chicago, Illinois - June 4, 1900
1900 United States Federal Census

[43 N. Campbell, Mary Linnett's residence, was also enumerate but the Linnett family had already moved away - if they ever lived there, she could have been a domestic or boarder. In 1900 the building at #43 was broken into two residences. The first was James and Matilda Parker and James' mother Rhoda Thompson. The second was occupied by A.E. and Katie Rupp and their two sons George and Fred. Today, both residences have been leveled and the lots are empty fields.]

Sherman, N.? - wm b Aug 1855 in Illinois to English parents
Sherman, Martha (sister) - wf b Sept 1853 in Ill
Sherman, Frances (sister) - wf b Oct 1855 in Ill
Sherman, George J (brother) - wm b May 1852 in Ill
Sherman, Virginia (sister) - wf born Oct 1862 in Ill