Shot Her Husband

EXTRA! Shot Her Husband. And Hid The Pistol Under The Refrigerator. SAYS SHE DID NOT DO IT. But The Dying Man Says She Did. The Husband Was Jealous and Suspicious. WIFE VIOLENT AND VENGEFUL Husband Dead—The Wife Behind The Bars. CHARGED WITH HIS MURDER. McCusker's Ante-Mortem Statement—Another Chapter in Camden's Horrors. Michael McCusker, about 3[?] years old, superintendent of the Union News Company, at Federal street station, was shot in the abdomen at his home, 206 Benson street, about 10.15 o'clock last night. He was taken to the Cooper Hospital, where the surgeons performed an operation at midnight, and died at six o'clock this morning. Mrs. McCuskter was placed under arrest and is locked up at the City Hall, her husband having made a statement in which he accused her of committing the deed. Mrs. McCusker informed Policeman Steen, who was among the first to arrive upon hearing a shot fired, that her husband shot himself during a struggle for the possession of the revolver. After telling him this she ran to the house of Mrs. McGann, mother of her husband, 430 south Second street, and informed them that he had shot himself. HAD BEEN A STRUGGLE. When the officer entered the house he found the wounded man lying in the entry writhing in agony. He sent in a call for the patrol wagon, which arrived in charge of Sergeant Golden and Policeman Zanders. The carpets indicated that there had been a struggle before the shooting took place. Golden desired to remove the wounded man to the hospital, but his relatives objected, and much time was lost in a vain search for a physician. Finally, Golden put the man on a litter and placed him in the wagon. His story is corroborated by Harry Laird, a railroad conductor of 439 Trenton avenue. Laird said he was about to turn into Benson street, at Second, on his way home, when he was met by Mrs. McCusker who emerged from Daniel Hughes' cigar store on the corner. She was wringing her hands and cried: Oh, Mike is shot! What shall I do? Laird went over to the house and was joined by Policeman Steen. They entered together and found the injured man lying in the hallway with a pillow under his head. What's the matter, Mike? asked Laird. My wife shot me; that woman there, he replied, as he pointed to her. Oh! don't say that, Mike, said the woman. I do say it, and I mean it." As they were about to drive away William Stees and his wife, friends of McClusker arrived, and when the wounded man recognized them he said: "Bill, Florence shot me." Sergeant Golden overheard the conversation and he ordered Mrs. McCusker to get in the wagon to assist with her husband. On the way to the hospital McCusker said: "My wife shot me." Golden turned to Mrs. McCuskter and said: "Mike tells me that you shot him and hid the revolver. What did you do with it?" Mrs. McCusker answered: "Did Mike tell you that? You will find the revolver in the kitchen under the refrigerator." When McCusker was placed on the operating table he was informed that in all probability the wound would prove serious and was asked to make a statement. William A. Husted, a notary, took his deposition. He said that he usually gets home at 6.30 but he did not reach home last night until nearly 8 o'clock, as he stopped at a barber shop intending to take a ride on his bicycle after supper. He said that he did not go out as he intended, and he and his wife got into a family quarrel, and during the excitement he made serious accusations which angered her. She ran upstairs, he declared, and secured his new five chambered [?]2-calibre revolver that he kept under his pillow, and came down stairs with it in her hand. Her actions convinced him that it was necessary for his protection to secure the weapon, he said, and during the struggle for its possession, he charges, she raised the hammer, aimed it at him and pulled the trigger. DECLARES SHE DID NOT DO IT. When Mrs. McCusker arrived at the city prison and saw the door of the cell open for her she went into hysterics and shouted: 'Don't put me in that place; put me in a room. Oh! Don't put me in there.' She declared that she did not shoot her husband intentionally. Upon returning to the house Sergeant Golden made a search of the room designated by Mrs. McCusker and found the revolver under the refrigerator, as she had stated. The police also found Clarence Smith, a boarder, who occupies a room in the second story. He said that he heard loud talking, which was followed by a shot and a scream by Mrs. McCusker. The friends of Mr. McCusker told the police that the couple had been married five years, but had not lived happily. The surgeons at the hospital said that the bullet entered the abdomen. From the condition of the wound the bullet had penetrated the intestines, which prevented any attempt to locate it by probing. HUSBAND AND WIFE. Michael McCusker was about 3[?] years of age, while his wife is about 28 years of age. Her maiden name was Coffee, and it is said that she came orginally from New York. She was a woman of attractive appearance and is said to have been separated from her husband two or three rimes. Their boarder, Clarence Smith, who is said to have been asleep in the house at the time of the shooting, is said to be a brother-in-law to Mrs. McCusker's sister. Michael McCusker had the reputation everywhere of being quiet but good natured, and was apparently highly esteemed by all who knew him. He leaves four sisters and a brother, Stephen McClusker, who is the employ of the Union News Company at the foot of Federal street. D. J. Russell, the saloon keeper at Second and Benson streets, said this morning that while McCusker and his wife were not what might be called drinking people, they bought a small kettle of beer occasionally, and in fact had a kettle filled shortly before the shooting last night. 'Squire Schmitz of Market-street, said this morning that Mrs. McCusker had frequently had her husband haled before him and held to keep the peace, alleging that he, McCusker, had threatened to take her life. McCusker, the 'squire says, always said that the woman's accusation and complaint was "a — lie, and only a ruse to get me out of her way for awhile." The 'squire says he always regarded McCusker as being a peaceable and truthful man. AT THE HALL. Lawyer Francis B. Weaver who has been Mrs. McCusker's attorney upon several occasions, has been retained to defend her. This morning shortly after 9 o'clock Prosecutor Jenkins and Assistant Prosecutor Carson called at the city hall and the prisoner was taken into the mayor's hearing room and privately examined. During the course of the examination Lawyer Weaver appeared with Mrs. Smith, mother of the defendant, and demanded to be admitted to the examination as counsel for the accused woman. Chief Dodd, evidently acting under the instructions of the prosecutor, told Lawyer Weaver that it mattered not who he was or who he represented he could not be admitted to the examination, and he was not. Lawyer Weaver remarked that this kind of action was what would result in the acquittal of Shaw. What was developed at the private examination could not be learned, as the Prosecutor and Chief Dodd refused to have anything to say. Mayor Westcott arrived at 11.30 o'clock and the prisoner was arraigned for a hearing. The Mayor in reading the charge said: 'Florence McCusker, you are charged with assaulting, shooting and killing Michael McCusker.' The prisoner exclaimed: "Oh!" and burying her head in her hands sobbed bitterly. Lawyer Weaver said his client would waive a hearing, and she was committed to the city prison. A lady residing in the vicinity of Fourth and Market streets said this morning: "Mrs. McClusker lived near my house for a while. She was a rather showy-looking blonde, and I frequently saw her on the street. Her husband was the better one of the two, and I always understood that while they separated frequently she invariably ran after him to get him back." County Physician Jones will hold an autopsy on McCusker today. Coroner Lippincott, who has charge of the case, says no date has yet been fixed for the inquest. No time to lose if you wish to join the embroidery class. Classes will soon form. Inquire at Varney's. STOCKTON. Items of Interest to Readers Across Cooper's Creek. At last night's meeting of town council the Camden and Suburban Railway company presented petitions asking the privilege of laying a double track on Riverroad from Cooper avenue to new Cove road; also on Westfield avenue from its intersection with Federal street to Forty-second street. A resolution fixing a hearing on the petition for the thirtieth instant was adopted. The treasurer reported a balance on hand of $63,754.63. The appointments of J. C. Johnson, Frank Schocklin and Chris Waltz as fire wardens by the Stockton, Penn and Pavonia companies respectively were approved. The joint committee on parade asked council to furnish an escort of police for the Thanksgiving Day demonstration. The request will be complied with. The board of education requested that the janitors be sworn in as special officers to protect the property of the schools. The question arose as to the authority to swear in special officers, and the town attorney will give an opinion on the subject. Bills to the amount of $687.32 were ordered paid. The ordinance compelling the sprinkling of streets used by railway companies by said companies was passed. The Westfield avenue sidewalk came in for a good share of discussion again. An ordinance making the width of the sidewalk on Broad street fifteen feet was introduced. Frank Mathias was awarded the contract to erect the retaining wall at Garfield avenue at a cost of $271.25. A bill in favor of B. F. Sweeten & Son of $29.57 was ordered paid. A bill in favor of the same firm to laying cross covered gutters on Riverroad was laid over. NOTES. Silas Betts, V. R. Blackwell and Officer George Palmer went gunning yesterday in south Jersey. The Stockton wheelmen will have a club run to Burlington via Mt. Holly on Sunday. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Taylor, on Merrel avenue, Rosedale, was the scene of a pretty event last evening, the occasion being the marriage of their daughter, Lillian, to Mr. Harry A. Dick. The ceremony was performed in the parlor, amid a profusion of chrysanthemums and palms, by the Rev. J. B. Whitton, pastor of Bethel M. E church, in the presence of a host of friends and relatives of the contracting parties. Miss Lillie Grant, of Philadelphia, cousin of the bride, acted as bridesmaid and Mr. Arthur Sharp, also of Philadelphia, was the best man. Miss Stella Buck rendered 'The March of the Friares,' A reception followed the ceremony, at which the happy couple were congratulated Among those present were: Rev. J. B. Whitton, Alfred Taylor, Harry Dick and wife, Mrs. Buck and daughter, Mrs. Horner and son, Mrs Stark, Mamie Euckenhofer, and William R. Dauuenhower, all of Cramer Hill; Dr. Wm. Taylor and wife, Mrs. Charles and Miss Tillie Grant, Arthur Sharp, Benjamin Taylor. all of Philadelphir, and many others. The Stockton Hose company will have a smoker next Monday evening at headquarters. Instructions by capable teacher. No charge for embroidering lessons. For particulars inquire at Varney's. B. & O. Improvements Finished. The improvements on the main line of the Baltimore and Ohio west of and between Martinsburg, W. Va. and North Mountain, was completed November 1. They cover a distance of nearly four miles, starting three miles west of Martinsburg, and extending some distance west of Myers' Hole which is near the North Mountain station. At Myers' Hole the line was changed, taking out some very objectionable curvatures, and the road bed raised nearly fifteen feet, eliminating two grades of 43 feet per mile, which came together at Myers' Hole and substituting therefor an almost level track. This point on the road has always been a dangerous one and many freight wrecks have occurred there. Apart from doing away with the dangerous feature of two sharp down grades coming together, as was the case in this instance, the saving in operation of the road by the change will be very large, as it enables the tons per train to be greatly increased and reduces the liability to accident to the minimum. At Tablers the road bed has been lowered about 13 feet, and the same at Tabbs, besides taking out objectionable curvature and reducing the rate of grades at these points from 42 feet per mile to 10 feet per mile, thus increasing the cars that can be hauled per train. Though these improvements have cost quite a sum of money, the expenditure is fully justified by the great saving in operation. Delair. Musical entertainment at the Delair Methodist church, this evening at 8. The choir of the church have secured the following eminent talent: Mr. Albertus Shelley, the eminent violin soloist, assisted by Mr. C. Virgil Gordon, pianist; Miss Helen Mar Wilson, the celebrated reader and elocutionist; soprano soloist, Miss Bishop, and the inimitable Damico Brothers, guitar and mandolin virtuosi. Admission, fifty cents. An amateur entertainment is being arranged by the Athletic Association that will eclipse anything in that line heretofore attempted. Collingswood. A meeting of the borough commissioners will be held in Tatem's hall tonight, when the trolley and the electric light questions will be discussed. A petition is in circulation against the suburban improvement company being granted a five years' contract for the exclusive lighting of the town. Roy French and his brother left this morning on a gunning trip. The regular weekly prayer meeting will be held tonight in the Methodist church. After serious illness, like typhoid fever, pneumonia, or the grip, Hood's Sarsaparilla has wonderful strength-giving power. Trustees' sale, 4-story brick residence, 190 Cooper street, Thursday, November 11th, at 12 o'clock noon, by Thomas & Sons, at Philadelphia office, 201 Bourse building, Philadelphia. Newly painted and papered. $2,000 may remain on mortgage at 5 per cent. Sale positive; no reservation. F. S. Simmons, 309 Market street Camden, N. J. Phone No. 9. Lodge room for rent, $10 per quarter. Apply to F. G. Hitchner, Fifth and Benson streets.