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Frederick News
Maryland, U.S.A.
26 September 1893

A NEW JERSEY RIPPER
The revolting Murder of Mrs. Fahey by Her Brutal Husband

Perth Amboy, N.J., Sept. 26.
A horrible case of mutilation, in which Jack the Ripper is outdone, occurred in this city on Friday night, and a woman now lies dead from the effects of the brutal deed. Michael Fahey, who committed the crime, is a powerful man and employed in H.W. White & Sons' iron foundry, while his wife, who is the victim, was frail and sickly, weighing less than 100 pounds.

Mrs. Fahey was chopping wood in her yard when a neighbor who took pity on her weakened condition and did the chopping for her. When Fahey returned from work in the evening his wife informed him of the neighbor's kindness. Fahey flew into a rage, charged her with infidelity and threatened vengeance.

After supper Fahey visited several saloons and imbibed considerable beer. He returned home somewhere near 11 o'clock and retired. His wife, who was in great fear, waited until she supposed he was asleep and then retired. She had no sooner reached the bed than he pounced upon her with his bare hands, tearing and mutilating her in a sickening manner. The agonized shrieks of the victim alarmed the neighbors, and upon their approach Fahey fled.

Dr. Brace was summoned, and upon examination discovered that the woman was badly torn, and that internal portions of flesh were missing. The woman after telling some of the details of the crime, lapsed into unconsciousness, in which state she remained until Sunday, when she was relieved of her sufferings by death.

Fahey was captured and taken to the recorder's office, where he admitted his guilt. He was immediately hustled off to the county jail at New Brunswick. Had Fahey been in the city when the facts became known nothing would have saved him from the wrath of the angry citizens.

The couple had been married five years, and Mrs. Fahey had given birth to three children, two of whom are dead. She has always borne an excellent reputation, while Fahey has always treated her in a cruel and inhuman manner.


Related pages:
  Michael Fahey
       Press Reports: Frederick News - 26 September 1893 

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