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Sullivan Republican
Laporte, Sullivan County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
In Rochester, Michigan, farmer William Major murdered his wife, daughter Mrs. Joseph Depew, and granddaughter with a revolver and axe on a Friday night, then committed suicide by hanging. His son survived by hiding.
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ROCHESTER, Mich., Dec. 29.--A cold-blooded triple murder was committed two miles North of Mount Vernon Friday night by William Major, who killed his wife, his daughter and his grand-daughter. Major is about 50 years old and a well-to-do farmer. His daughter, Mrs. Joseph Depew, of Brandon, and her little daughter were visiting the house. The people were but fairly asleep when Major arose and began the work of slaughter. He took a revolver and shot his wife as she lay asleep, putting two bullets into her body and mortally wounding her.
Springing into the apartment occupied by his daughter and the child, he coolly fired a bullet at Mrs. Depew, and when it failed to kill her he procured an axe and knocked out her brains. Then he pulled his little granddaughter from beneath the bed clothing, and with one blow of the axe split her head open, killing her instantly. Major rushed into the room where his little son slept and groped about the bed for him. The lad had crawled under the bed for safety. As he heard his father searching the room he said: "Are you going to kill me, too, papa?" "No, my son," replied the murderer; "do not be afraid."
Major's body was yesterday found in his barn. He had committed suicide by hanging.
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Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Two Miles North Of Mount Vernon, Near Rochester, Mich.
Event Date
Friday Night
Key Persons
Outcome
wife mortally wounded by two bullets; daughter mrs. joseph depew shot then killed with axe; granddaughter killed instantly with axe; william major committed suicide by hanging; son survived.
Event Details
William Major, a 50-year-old well-to-do farmer, arose while his family slept and shot his wife twice with a revolver, mortally wounding her. He then shot his visiting daughter Mrs. Joseph Depew, and when that failed, used an axe to knock out her brains. He pulled his granddaughter from under the bedclothes and split her head open with the axe, killing her instantly. He searched for his son but reassured him without harm. Major's body was later found hanged in his barn.