The Courier-Journal (Louisville KY), 29 June 1910, Wed, pg 1
KILLS WIFE AND ENDS OWN LIFE
James C. Bird Principal In Double Tragedy
Prominent Contractor Was Insanely Jealous
Fired Two Bullets Into Woman's Body
SHOT AT SON AND DAUGHTER
In a fit of jealous rage, James C. Bird, a well-known building contractor of the West End, shot and almost instantly killed his wife, Mrs. James C. Bird, at 8:00 last night. As a climax he inflicted a wound in his throat with a knife that resulted in his death about thirty minutes later. The tragedy was enacted in the beautiful home of James C. Bird at 644 Thirty-sixth street, in Granger Court.
After shooting down his wife, Bird dashed from his home. He flourished his weapon, and was pursued by his 18-year-old son, Frank Bird. Outside, the father turned upon his son and attempted to take his life by firing two shots from the pistol directly at the boy, but both shots went wild. He then fired a third shot at his daughter, Miss Grace Bird, who suddenly appeared behind her brother in the yard. Bird then turned and fled toward the rear of the house.
SON KNOCKS FATHER DOWN –
In the back yard a dramatic struggle between Frank Bird and his father occurred. The boy overtook the fleeing man and felled him to the ground with a blow from his fist, falling upon his father and pinning him fast. The father pleaded with the boy to kill him with the weapon which he held in his hand, and when the boy released his hold on his father's wrist to wrest the weapon from his grasp the father pulled a sharp knife from his pocket and cut his own throat.
The desperate man, still alive, was placed in a patrol wagon, which had been summoned hurriedly by Lieut. George Clifford, of the Seventh district police station. Bird died while en route to the city hospital.
Miss Grace Bird, after escaping a bullet fired at her by her enraged father, hurried to the side of her dying mother, who had fallen in the front hall, outside the parlor entrance to the Bird home. The mother was still alive when her daughter knelt to raise her head from the floor, but died a few minutes later.
NEITHER LIVED TO MAKE STATEMENT
Neither of the principals in this tragedy….[missing type]. Frank Bird and his sister, Miss Grace Bird, said that their parents frequently quarreled over trivial matters. The father, according to the two children, partook freely of intoxicants up to a few years ago, since which time he has been of temperate habits. They do not believe their father was under the influence of liquor when he fired upon his wife last night.
Mrs. Bird was shot twice, one ball piercing her neck on the right side and ranging downward. The other bullet entered her right breast near the arm. According to Coroner Ellis Duncan, either wound was fatal.
The wound inflicted by Bird in his throat extended all the way across. It was a deep gash and completely severed the jugular vein.
FATHER WAS JEALOUS
According to Frank Bird and Miss Grace Bird, the only children at home when the murder was committed, their parents quarreled over a trivial matter. They said that their mother planned to attend a lawn fete somewhere in the West End and their father objected on the ground that he did not want his wife to mingle with other men away from home.
The trouble began Monday night, when Mrs. Bird first announced her intention of attending the function. The husband immediately raised an objection, and a quarrel ensued. This lasted for some time Monday night.
At about 7:30 last evening, Mrs. Bird began making preparations to attend the function. The two children were not in her presence and were unable to throw any light on what passed between husband and wife when the quarrel was renewed. At any rate the daughter found the mother in tears, and when she inquired the cause, Mrs. Bird said she had decided to remain at home. She did not offer any explanation concerning the matter.
HEAR PARENTS QUARRELING
At about 8:00 Frank Bird was sitting in the front room upstairs, reading a book, while his sister was in the basement under the dining room. Both children heard angry words between their parents, but paid little attention. The father turned and walked out of the house, muttering as he went that he intended to "settle" something.
Frank Bird said that he saw his father stop in the front yard and then re-enter the house. The next instant two shots rang out, followed by a shriek. The son leaped down the steps and reached the front hall just as his father was disappearing through the door. He gave chase, drew his father's fire outside, and finally overpowered him in the back yard where Bird cut his throat.
Just before the father drew the knife across his throat he groaned. According to the son, who engaged in the struggle with the desperate man, the father exclaimed: "May God, have mercy on my soul."
CROWD QUICKLY GATHERS
The tragedy created great excitement in the vicinity of Thirty-sixth street and Broadway and Grainger Court. A crowd of a hundred persons gathered at the Bird residence just as the police arrived on the scene.
Many persons crowded around James C. Bird on the lawn, while others forced their way into the house, where Mrs. Bird lay dead in a pool of blood which saturated the carpet in the front hall.
Those who gathered around the murderer and suicide before the arrival of the ambulance said that the dying man offered no explanation. He groaned aloud at times and pleaded with those about him to end his life.
While en route to the city hospital Bird pleaded with Patrolman Fitzpatrick, of the Seventh police district, to kill him. He made no statement to the officer about the killing.
DIES IN PATROL WAGON
The patrol wagon containing Bird's dead body reached the city hospital at about 9:55. The body was held at the institution probably half an hour, and was then removed to Bax's undertaking establishment at 719 East Chestnut street.
The body of the murdered woman was not taken from the residence last night. The children of the dead woman and several relatives held a consultation and decided to prepare the body at home for burial.
Frank Bird in a quavering voice told the story of the killing. He said:
"It came with such suddenness that I was for the moment paralyzed. I was sitting in the front room upstairs reading when the two shots rang out. Then I heard my mother scream, and I knew that something awful had happened. I jumped down the steps and saw my father running through the front door with the pistol over his head. I followed him out into the yard with my sister behind me, and outside he turned and shot at me twice, just as I was about to close in on him. I felt no sting when he pulled the trigger, and I realized I was not hit. I started toward him again, just as he fired at my sister, and he turned and ran into the back yard. Here I knocked him down and while I was trying to take the pistol out of his hand he cut his throat."
DEED PREMEDITATED
Lieut. Clifford, of the Seventh district, procured the pistol after Bird slashed his throat with the knife. It was a thirty-eight-caliber revolver with five chambers. One chamber of the revolver was still loaded when it was taken from the hand of James C. Bird.
According to Frank Bird, his father never at any time kept a revolver in the house. He expressed the opinion that his father purchased the revolver some time yesterday, and that the murder was premeditated.
The first policeman to arrive at the scene was Lieut. Clifford, who was passing on a West Broadway car and saw the crowd running in Grainger court. He alighted and ran to the Bird home, from where he notified headquarters of the tragedy.
In a few minutes, Patrolmen Finley and Fitzpatrick, of the Seventh district, arrived, and the latter was detailed to accompany the dying man to the hospital.
Maj. Patrick Ridge, night chief of police, also visited the scene. He questioned the children, Frank Bird and Miss Grace Bird, who told of their father's jealousy.
EVEN JEALOUS OF CHILDREN
According to Maj Ridge, the father was even jealous of his own children. He said that Frank and Miss Grace Bird informed him that whenever the mother bestowed any unusual degree of affection upon her children the father would lose his temper and become unmanageable. He also would fly into a rage when he saw their mother engaged in commonplace conversation with a neighbor.
_____living in Grainger court, spoke ---[missing text]—outward appearances they were happy. However, not much was seen of the father or his family in Grainger court by other residents of that section, for the Bird family only recently purchased the residence where the tragedy occurred.
In the vicinity of Thirtieth and Market streets, where the Bird family lived for several years, James C. Bird was held in high esteem. He occupied the residence of 3004 West Market street up to about three or four weeks ago, when the residence in Grainger court was purchased.
SEEMED FOND OF FAMILY
Henry H. Bielefeld, a grocery at Thirtieth and Market streets, spoke highly of James C. Bird. He said that he appeared to be a very quiet man and seemed to be very fond of his family. He appeared to be in good circumstances, for he provided well for his wife and children and furnished his home handsomely.
The residence at Thirtieth and Market streets adjoins the headquarters of the West Louisville police substation, the police of which were intimately acquainted with the members of the Bird family. Corporal William Hutcheson and Station-keeper Frank Haffner both declared that they never heard of a quarrel between Bird and his wife.
Mrs. James C. Bird was a daughter of Peter S. Brown, formerly a blacksmith in the West End. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Brown and she and her husband were married thirty years ago. She was a sister of George Brown, station-keeper at the Fourth district police station, at Nineteenth and Main streets. Mrs. Bird was 48 years of age, while her husband was 59. [ages off from d.c.]
There are six children as follows: Mrs. Ella May Hall, who lives in Alford avenue; James C. Bird Jr., Miss Grace Bird, Miss Ruth Bird and Frank and Raymond Bird.
--------------
Kentucky, U.S. Death Records:
Eliza Brown Bird, a 52 year old, married, white, female, died on 28 June 1910 of gun shot wound of lungs and heart - murder. Burial - Cave Hill.
-------------
1910 U.S. Fed Census of Louisville Ward 12, Jefferson, Kentucky
James C Bird, 57; Eliza A. 52, wife - married 32 years. 6 children/6 living;
Children: James C. 29; Grace R. 24; Ruth G. 19; Frank B. 16; Raymond T. 11
[Provided by CatheaC #47339429]
KILLS WIFE AND ENDS OWN LIFE
James C. Bird Principal In Double Tragedy
Prominent Contractor Was Insanely Jealous
Fired Two Bullets Into Woman's Body
SHOT AT SON AND DAUGHTER
In a fit of jealous rage, James C. Bird, a well-known building contractor of the West End, shot and almost instantly killed his wife, Mrs. James C. Bird, at 8:00 last night. As a climax he inflicted a wound in his throat with a knife that resulted in his death about thirty minutes later. The tragedy was enacted in the beautiful home of James C. Bird at 644 Thirty-sixth street, in Granger Court.
After shooting down his wife, Bird dashed from his home. He flourished his weapon, and was pursued by his 18-year-old son, Frank Bird. Outside, the father turned upon his son and attempted to take his life by firing two shots from the pistol directly at the boy, but both shots went wild. He then fired a third shot at his daughter, Miss Grace Bird, who suddenly appeared behind her brother in the yard. Bird then turned and fled toward the rear of the house.
SON KNOCKS FATHER DOWN –
In the back yard a dramatic struggle between Frank Bird and his father occurred. The boy overtook the fleeing man and felled him to the ground with a blow from his fist, falling upon his father and pinning him fast. The father pleaded with the boy to kill him with the weapon which he held in his hand, and when the boy released his hold on his father's wrist to wrest the weapon from his grasp the father pulled a sharp knife from his pocket and cut his own throat.
The desperate man, still alive, was placed in a patrol wagon, which had been summoned hurriedly by Lieut. George Clifford, of the Seventh district police station. Bird died while en route to the city hospital.
Miss Grace Bird, after escaping a bullet fired at her by her enraged father, hurried to the side of her dying mother, who had fallen in the front hall, outside the parlor entrance to the Bird home. The mother was still alive when her daughter knelt to raise her head from the floor, but died a few minutes later.
NEITHER LIVED TO MAKE STATEMENT
Neither of the principals in this tragedy….[missing type]. Frank Bird and his sister, Miss Grace Bird, said that their parents frequently quarreled over trivial matters. The father, according to the two children, partook freely of intoxicants up to a few years ago, since which time he has been of temperate habits. They do not believe their father was under the influence of liquor when he fired upon his wife last night.
Mrs. Bird was shot twice, one ball piercing her neck on the right side and ranging downward. The other bullet entered her right breast near the arm. According to Coroner Ellis Duncan, either wound was fatal.
The wound inflicted by Bird in his throat extended all the way across. It was a deep gash and completely severed the jugular vein.
FATHER WAS JEALOUS
According to Frank Bird and Miss Grace Bird, the only children at home when the murder was committed, their parents quarreled over a trivial matter. They said that their mother planned to attend a lawn fete somewhere in the West End and their father objected on the ground that he did not want his wife to mingle with other men away from home.
The trouble began Monday night, when Mrs. Bird first announced her intention of attending the function. The husband immediately raised an objection, and a quarrel ensued. This lasted for some time Monday night.
At about 7:30 last evening, Mrs. Bird began making preparations to attend the function. The two children were not in her presence and were unable to throw any light on what passed between husband and wife when the quarrel was renewed. At any rate the daughter found the mother in tears, and when she inquired the cause, Mrs. Bird said she had decided to remain at home. She did not offer any explanation concerning the matter.
HEAR PARENTS QUARRELING
At about 8:00 Frank Bird was sitting in the front room upstairs, reading a book, while his sister was in the basement under the dining room. Both children heard angry words between their parents, but paid little attention. The father turned and walked out of the house, muttering as he went that he intended to "settle" something.
Frank Bird said that he saw his father stop in the front yard and then re-enter the house. The next instant two shots rang out, followed by a shriek. The son leaped down the steps and reached the front hall just as his father was disappearing through the door. He gave chase, drew his father's fire outside, and finally overpowered him in the back yard where Bird cut his throat.
Just before the father drew the knife across his throat he groaned. According to the son, who engaged in the struggle with the desperate man, the father exclaimed: "May God, have mercy on my soul."
CROWD QUICKLY GATHERS
The tragedy created great excitement in the vicinity of Thirty-sixth street and Broadway and Grainger Court. A crowd of a hundred persons gathered at the Bird residence just as the police arrived on the scene.
Many persons crowded around James C. Bird on the lawn, while others forced their way into the house, where Mrs. Bird lay dead in a pool of blood which saturated the carpet in the front hall.
Those who gathered around the murderer and suicide before the arrival of the ambulance said that the dying man offered no explanation. He groaned aloud at times and pleaded with those about him to end his life.
While en route to the city hospital Bird pleaded with Patrolman Fitzpatrick, of the Seventh police district, to kill him. He made no statement to the officer about the killing.
DIES IN PATROL WAGON
The patrol wagon containing Bird's dead body reached the city hospital at about 9:55. The body was held at the institution probably half an hour, and was then removed to Bax's undertaking establishment at 719 East Chestnut street.
The body of the murdered woman was not taken from the residence last night. The children of the dead woman and several relatives held a consultation and decided to prepare the body at home for burial.
Frank Bird in a quavering voice told the story of the killing. He said:
"It came with such suddenness that I was for the moment paralyzed. I was sitting in the front room upstairs reading when the two shots rang out. Then I heard my mother scream, and I knew that something awful had happened. I jumped down the steps and saw my father running through the front door with the pistol over his head. I followed him out into the yard with my sister behind me, and outside he turned and shot at me twice, just as I was about to close in on him. I felt no sting when he pulled the trigger, and I realized I was not hit. I started toward him again, just as he fired at my sister, and he turned and ran into the back yard. Here I knocked him down and while I was trying to take the pistol out of his hand he cut his throat."
DEED PREMEDITATED
Lieut. Clifford, of the Seventh district, procured the pistol after Bird slashed his throat with the knife. It was a thirty-eight-caliber revolver with five chambers. One chamber of the revolver was still loaded when it was taken from the hand of James C. Bird.
According to Frank Bird, his father never at any time kept a revolver in the house. He expressed the opinion that his father purchased the revolver some time yesterday, and that the murder was premeditated.
The first policeman to arrive at the scene was Lieut. Clifford, who was passing on a West Broadway car and saw the crowd running in Grainger court. He alighted and ran to the Bird home, from where he notified headquarters of the tragedy.
In a few minutes, Patrolmen Finley and Fitzpatrick, of the Seventh district, arrived, and the latter was detailed to accompany the dying man to the hospital.
Maj. Patrick Ridge, night chief of police, also visited the scene. He questioned the children, Frank Bird and Miss Grace Bird, who told of their father's jealousy.
EVEN JEALOUS OF CHILDREN
According to Maj Ridge, the father was even jealous of his own children. He said that Frank and Miss Grace Bird informed him that whenever the mother bestowed any unusual degree of affection upon her children the father would lose his temper and become unmanageable. He also would fly into a rage when he saw their mother engaged in commonplace conversation with a neighbor.
_____living in Grainger court, spoke ---[missing text]—outward appearances they were happy. However, not much was seen of the father or his family in Grainger court by other residents of that section, for the Bird family only recently purchased the residence where the tragedy occurred.
In the vicinity of Thirtieth and Market streets, where the Bird family lived for several years, James C. Bird was held in high esteem. He occupied the residence of 3004 West Market street up to about three or four weeks ago, when the residence in Grainger court was purchased.
SEEMED FOND OF FAMILY
Henry H. Bielefeld, a grocery at Thirtieth and Market streets, spoke highly of James C. Bird. He said that he appeared to be a very quiet man and seemed to be very fond of his family. He appeared to be in good circumstances, for he provided well for his wife and children and furnished his home handsomely.
The residence at Thirtieth and Market streets adjoins the headquarters of the West Louisville police substation, the police of which were intimately acquainted with the members of the Bird family. Corporal William Hutcheson and Station-keeper Frank Haffner both declared that they never heard of a quarrel between Bird and his wife.
Mrs. James C. Bird was a daughter of Peter S. Brown, formerly a blacksmith in the West End. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Brown and she and her husband were married thirty years ago. She was a sister of George Brown, station-keeper at the Fourth district police station, at Nineteenth and Main streets. Mrs. Bird was 48 years of age, while her husband was 59. [ages off from d.c.]
There are six children as follows: Mrs. Ella May Hall, who lives in Alford avenue; James C. Bird Jr., Miss Grace Bird, Miss Ruth Bird and Frank and Raymond Bird.
--------------
Kentucky, U.S. Death Records:
Eliza Brown Bird, a 52 year old, married, white, female, died on 28 June 1910 of gun shot wound of lungs and heart - murder. Burial - Cave Hill.
-------------
1910 U.S. Fed Census of Louisville Ward 12, Jefferson, Kentucky
James C Bird, 57; Eliza A. 52, wife - married 32 years. 6 children/6 living;
Children: James C. 29; Grace R. 24; Ruth G. 19; Frank B. 16; Raymond T. 11
[Provided by CatheaC #47339429]
The Courier-Journal (Louisville KY), 29 June 1910, Wed, pg 1
KILLS WIFE AND ENDS OWN LIFE
James C. Bird Principal In Double Tragedy
Prominent Contractor Was Insanely Jealous
Fired Two Bullets Into Woman's Body
SHOT AT SON AND DAUGHTER
In a fit of jealous rage, James C. Bird, a well-known building contractor of the West End, shot and almost instantly killed his wife, Mrs. James C. Bird, at 8:00 last night. As a climax he inflicted a wound in his throat with a knife that resulted in his death about thirty minutes later. The tragedy was enacted in the beautiful home of James C. Bird at 644 Thirty-sixth street, in Granger Court.
After shooting down his wife, Bird dashed from his home. He flourished his weapon, and was pursued by his 18-year-old son, Frank Bird. Outside, the father turned upon his son and attempted to take his life by firing two shots from the pistol directly at the boy, but both shots went wild. He then fired a third shot at his daughter, Miss Grace Bird, who suddenly appeared behind her brother in the yard. Bird then turned and fled toward the rear of the house.
SON KNOCKS FATHER DOWN –
In the back yard a dramatic struggle between Frank Bird and his father occurred. The boy overtook the fleeing man and felled him to the ground with a blow from his fist, falling upon his father and pinning him fast. The father pleaded with the boy to kill him with the weapon which he held in his hand, and when the boy released his hold on his father's wrist to wrest the weapon from his grasp the father pulled a sharp knife from his pocket and cut his own throat.
The desperate man, still alive, was placed in a patrol wagon, which had been summoned hurriedly by Lieut. George Clifford, of the Seventh district police station. Bird died while en route to the city hospital.
Miss Grace Bird, after escaping a bullet fired at her by her enraged father, hurried to the side of her dying mother, who had fallen in the front hall, outside the parlor entrance to the Bird home. The mother was still alive when her daughter knelt to raise her head from the floor, but died a few minutes later.
NEITHER LIVED TO MAKE STATEMENT
Neither of the principals in this tragedy….[missing type]. Frank Bird and his sister, Miss Grace Bird, said that their parents frequently quarreled over trivial matters. The father, according to the two children, partook freely of intoxicants up to a few years ago, since which time he has been of temperate habits. They do not believe their father was under the influence of liquor when he fired upon his wife last night.
Mrs. Bird was shot twice, one ball piercing her neck on the right side and ranging downward. The other bullet entered her right breast near the arm. According to Coroner Ellis Duncan, either wound was fatal.
The wound inflicted by Bird in his throat extended all the way across. It was a deep gash and completely severed the jugular vein.
FATHER WAS JEALOUS
According to Frank Bird and Miss Grace Bird, the only children at home when the murder was committed, their parents quarreled over a trivial matter. They said that their mother planned to attend a lawn fete somewhere in the West End and their father objected on the ground that he did not want his wife to mingle with other men away from home.
The trouble began Monday night, when Mrs. Bird first announced her intention of attending the function. The husband immediately raised an objection, and a quarrel ensued. This lasted for some time Monday night.
At about 7:30 last evening, Mrs. Bird began making preparations to attend the function. The two children were not in her presence and were unable to throw any light on what passed between husband and wife when the quarrel was renewed. At any rate the daughter found the mother in tears, and when she inquired the cause, Mrs. Bird said she had decided to remain at home. She did not offer any explanation concerning the matter.
HEAR PARENTS QUARRELING
At about 8:00 Frank Bird was sitting in the front room upstairs, reading a book, while his sister was in the basement under the dining room. Both children heard angry words between their parents, but paid little attention. The father turned and walked out of the house, muttering as he went that he intended to "settle" something.
Frank Bird said that he saw his father stop in the front yard and then re-enter the house. The next instant two shots rang out, followed by a shriek. The son leaped down the steps and reached the front hall just as his father was disappearing through the door. He gave chase, drew his father's fire outside, and finally overpowered him in the back yard where Bird cut his throat.
Just before the father drew the knife across his throat he groaned. According to the son, who engaged in the struggle with the desperate man, the father exclaimed: "May God, have mercy on my soul."
CROWD QUICKLY GATHERS
The tragedy created great excitement in the vicinity of Thirty-sixth street and Broadway and Grainger Court. A crowd of a hundred persons gathered at the Bird residence just as the police arrived on the scene.
Many persons crowded around James C. Bird on the lawn, while others forced their way into the house, where Mrs. Bird lay dead in a pool of blood which saturated the carpet in the front hall.
Those who gathered around the murderer and suicide before the arrival of the ambulance said that the dying man offered no explanation. He groaned aloud at times and pleaded with those about him to end his life.
While en route to the city hospital Bird pleaded with Patrolman Fitzpatrick, of the Seventh police district, to kill him. He made no statement to the officer about the killing.
DIES IN PATROL WAGON
The patrol wagon containing Bird's dead body reached the city hospital at about 9:55. The body was held at the institution probably half an hour, and was then removed to Bax's undertaking establishment at 719 East Chestnut street.
The body of the murdered woman was not taken from the residence last night. The children of the dead woman and several relatives held a consultation and decided to prepare the body at home for burial.
Frank Bird in a quavering voice told the story of the killing. He said:
"It came with such suddenness that I was for the moment paralyzed. I was sitting in the front room upstairs reading when the two shots rang out. Then I heard my mother scream, and I knew that something awful had happened. I jumped down the steps and saw my father running through the front door with the pistol over his head. I followed him out into the yard with my sister behind me, and outside he turned and shot at me twice, just as I was about to close in on him. I felt no sting when he pulled the trigger, and I realized I was not hit. I started toward him again, just as he fired at my sister, and he turned and ran into the back yard. Here I knocked him down and while I was trying to take the pistol out of his hand he cut his throat."
DEED PREMEDITATED
Lieut. Clifford, of the Seventh district, procured the pistol after Bird slashed his throat with the knife. It was a thirty-eight-caliber revolver with five chambers. One chamber of the revolver was still loaded when it was taken from the hand of James C. Bird.
According to Frank Bird, his father never at any time kept a revolver in the house. He expressed the opinion that his father purchased the revolver some time yesterday, and that the murder was premeditated.
The first policeman to arrive at the scene was Lieut. Clifford, who was passing on a West Broadway car and saw the crowd running in Grainger court. He alighted and ran to the Bird home, from where he notified headquarters of the tragedy.
In a few minutes, Patrolmen Finley and Fitzpatrick, of the Seventh district, arrived, and the latter was detailed to accompany the dying man to the hospital.
Maj. Patrick Ridge, night chief of police, also visited the scene. He questioned the children, Frank Bird and Miss Grace Bird, who told of their father's jealousy.
EVEN JEALOUS OF CHILDREN
According to Maj Ridge, the father was even jealous of his own children. He said that Frank and Miss Grace Bird informed him that whenever the mother bestowed any unusual degree of affection upon her children the father would lose his temper and become unmanageable. He also would fly into a rage when he saw their mother engaged in commonplace conversation with a neighbor.
_____living in Grainger court, spoke ---[missing text]—outward appearances they were happy. However, not much was seen of the father or his family in Grainger court by other residents of that section, for the Bird family only recently purchased the residence where the tragedy occurred.
In the vicinity of Thirtieth and Market streets, where the Bird family lived for several years, James C. Bird was held in high esteem. He occupied the residence of 3004 West Market street up to about three or four weeks ago, when the residence in Grainger court was purchased.
SEEMED FOND OF FAMILY
Henry H. Bielefeld, a grocery at Thirtieth and Market streets, spoke highly of James C. Bird. He said that he appeared to be a very quiet man and seemed to be very fond of his family. He appeared to be in good circumstances, for he provided well for his wife and children and furnished his home handsomely.
The residence at Thirtieth and Market streets adjoins the headquarters of the West Louisville police substation, the police of which were intimately acquainted with the members of the Bird family. Corporal William Hutcheson and Station-keeper Frank Haffner both declared that they never heard of a quarrel between Bird and his wife.
Mrs. James C. Bird was a daughter of Peter S. Brown, formerly a blacksmith in the West End. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Brown and she and her husband were married thirty years ago. She was a sister of George Brown, station-keeper at the Fourth district police station, at Nineteenth and Main streets. Mrs. Bird was 48 years of age, while her husband was 59. [ages off from d.c.]
There are six children as follows: Mrs. Ella May Hall, who lives in Alford avenue; James C. Bird Jr., Miss Grace Bird, Miss Ruth Bird and Frank and Raymond Bird.
--------------
Kentucky, U.S. Death Records:
Eliza Brown Bird, a 52 year old, married, white, female, died on 28 June 1910 of gun shot wound of lungs and heart - murder. Burial - Cave Hill.
-------------
1910 U.S. Fed Census of Louisville Ward 12, Jefferson, Kentucky
James C Bird, 57; Eliza A. 52, wife - married 32 years. 6 children/6 living;
Children: James C. 29; Grace R. 24; Ruth G. 19; Frank B. 16; Raymond T. 11
[Provided by CatheaC #47339429]
KILLS WIFE AND ENDS OWN LIFE
James C. Bird Principal In Double Tragedy
Prominent Contractor Was Insanely Jealous
Fired Two Bullets Into Woman's Body
SHOT AT SON AND DAUGHTER
In a fit of jealous rage, James C. Bird, a well-known building contractor of the West End, shot and almost instantly killed his wife, Mrs. James C. Bird, at 8:00 last night. As a climax he inflicted a wound in his throat with a knife that resulted in his death about thirty minutes later. The tragedy was enacted in the beautiful home of James C. Bird at 644 Thirty-sixth street, in Granger Court.
After shooting down his wife, Bird dashed from his home. He flourished his weapon, and was pursued by his 18-year-old son, Frank Bird. Outside, the father turned upon his son and attempted to take his life by firing two shots from the pistol directly at the boy, but both shots went wild. He then fired a third shot at his daughter, Miss Grace Bird, who suddenly appeared behind her brother in the yard. Bird then turned and fled toward the rear of the house.
SON KNOCKS FATHER DOWN –
In the back yard a dramatic struggle between Frank Bird and his father occurred. The boy overtook the fleeing man and felled him to the ground with a blow from his fist, falling upon his father and pinning him fast. The father pleaded with the boy to kill him with the weapon which he held in his hand, and when the boy released his hold on his father's wrist to wrest the weapon from his grasp the father pulled a sharp knife from his pocket and cut his own throat.
The desperate man, still alive, was placed in a patrol wagon, which had been summoned hurriedly by Lieut. George Clifford, of the Seventh district police station. Bird died while en route to the city hospital.
Miss Grace Bird, after escaping a bullet fired at her by her enraged father, hurried to the side of her dying mother, who had fallen in the front hall, outside the parlor entrance to the Bird home. The mother was still alive when her daughter knelt to raise her head from the floor, but died a few minutes later.
NEITHER LIVED TO MAKE STATEMENT
Neither of the principals in this tragedy….[missing type]. Frank Bird and his sister, Miss Grace Bird, said that their parents frequently quarreled over trivial matters. The father, according to the two children, partook freely of intoxicants up to a few years ago, since which time he has been of temperate habits. They do not believe their father was under the influence of liquor when he fired upon his wife last night.
Mrs. Bird was shot twice, one ball piercing her neck on the right side and ranging downward. The other bullet entered her right breast near the arm. According to Coroner Ellis Duncan, either wound was fatal.
The wound inflicted by Bird in his throat extended all the way across. It was a deep gash and completely severed the jugular vein.
FATHER WAS JEALOUS
According to Frank Bird and Miss Grace Bird, the only children at home when the murder was committed, their parents quarreled over a trivial matter. They said that their mother planned to attend a lawn fete somewhere in the West End and their father objected on the ground that he did not want his wife to mingle with other men away from home.
The trouble began Monday night, when Mrs. Bird first announced her intention of attending the function. The husband immediately raised an objection, and a quarrel ensued. This lasted for some time Monday night.
At about 7:30 last evening, Mrs. Bird began making preparations to attend the function. The two children were not in her presence and were unable to throw any light on what passed between husband and wife when the quarrel was renewed. At any rate the daughter found the mother in tears, and when she inquired the cause, Mrs. Bird said she had decided to remain at home. She did not offer any explanation concerning the matter.
HEAR PARENTS QUARRELING
At about 8:00 Frank Bird was sitting in the front room upstairs, reading a book, while his sister was in the basement under the dining room. Both children heard angry words between their parents, but paid little attention. The father turned and walked out of the house, muttering as he went that he intended to "settle" something.
Frank Bird said that he saw his father stop in the front yard and then re-enter the house. The next instant two shots rang out, followed by a shriek. The son leaped down the steps and reached the front hall just as his father was disappearing through the door. He gave chase, drew his father's fire outside, and finally overpowered him in the back yard where Bird cut his throat.
Just before the father drew the knife across his throat he groaned. According to the son, who engaged in the struggle with the desperate man, the father exclaimed: "May God, have mercy on my soul."
CROWD QUICKLY GATHERS
The tragedy created great excitement in the vicinity of Thirty-sixth street and Broadway and Grainger Court. A crowd of a hundred persons gathered at the Bird residence just as the police arrived on the scene.
Many persons crowded around James C. Bird on the lawn, while others forced their way into the house, where Mrs. Bird lay dead in a pool of blood which saturated the carpet in the front hall.
Those who gathered around the murderer and suicide before the arrival of the ambulance said that the dying man offered no explanation. He groaned aloud at times and pleaded with those about him to end his life.
While en route to the city hospital Bird pleaded with Patrolman Fitzpatrick, of the Seventh police district, to kill him. He made no statement to the officer about the killing.
DIES IN PATROL WAGON
The patrol wagon containing Bird's dead body reached the city hospital at about 9:55. The body was held at the institution probably half an hour, and was then removed to Bax's undertaking establishment at 719 East Chestnut street.
The body of the murdered woman was not taken from the residence last night. The children of the dead woman and several relatives held a consultation and decided to prepare the body at home for burial.
Frank Bird in a quavering voice told the story of the killing. He said:
"It came with such suddenness that I was for the moment paralyzed. I was sitting in the front room upstairs reading when the two shots rang out. Then I heard my mother scream, and I knew that something awful had happened. I jumped down the steps and saw my father running through the front door with the pistol over his head. I followed him out into the yard with my sister behind me, and outside he turned and shot at me twice, just as I was about to close in on him. I felt no sting when he pulled the trigger, and I realized I was not hit. I started toward him again, just as he fired at my sister, and he turned and ran into the back yard. Here I knocked him down and while I was trying to take the pistol out of his hand he cut his throat."
DEED PREMEDITATED
Lieut. Clifford, of the Seventh district, procured the pistol after Bird slashed his throat with the knife. It was a thirty-eight-caliber revolver with five chambers. One chamber of the revolver was still loaded when it was taken from the hand of James C. Bird.
According to Frank Bird, his father never at any time kept a revolver in the house. He expressed the opinion that his father purchased the revolver some time yesterday, and that the murder was premeditated.
The first policeman to arrive at the scene was Lieut. Clifford, who was passing on a West Broadway car and saw the crowd running in Grainger court. He alighted and ran to the Bird home, from where he notified headquarters of the tragedy.
In a few minutes, Patrolmen Finley and Fitzpatrick, of the Seventh district, arrived, and the latter was detailed to accompany the dying man to the hospital.
Maj. Patrick Ridge, night chief of police, also visited the scene. He questioned the children, Frank Bird and Miss Grace Bird, who told of their father's jealousy.
EVEN JEALOUS OF CHILDREN
According to Maj Ridge, the father was even jealous of his own children. He said that Frank and Miss Grace Bird informed him that whenever the mother bestowed any unusual degree of affection upon her children the father would lose his temper and become unmanageable. He also would fly into a rage when he saw their mother engaged in commonplace conversation with a neighbor.
_____living in Grainger court, spoke ---[missing text]—outward appearances they were happy. However, not much was seen of the father or his family in Grainger court by other residents of that section, for the Bird family only recently purchased the residence where the tragedy occurred.
In the vicinity of Thirtieth and Market streets, where the Bird family lived for several years, James C. Bird was held in high esteem. He occupied the residence of 3004 West Market street up to about three or four weeks ago, when the residence in Grainger court was purchased.
SEEMED FOND OF FAMILY
Henry H. Bielefeld, a grocery at Thirtieth and Market streets, spoke highly of James C. Bird. He said that he appeared to be a very quiet man and seemed to be very fond of his family. He appeared to be in good circumstances, for he provided well for his wife and children and furnished his home handsomely.
The residence at Thirtieth and Market streets adjoins the headquarters of the West Louisville police substation, the police of which were intimately acquainted with the members of the Bird family. Corporal William Hutcheson and Station-keeper Frank Haffner both declared that they never heard of a quarrel between Bird and his wife.
Mrs. James C. Bird was a daughter of Peter S. Brown, formerly a blacksmith in the West End. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Brown and she and her husband were married thirty years ago. She was a sister of George Brown, station-keeper at the Fourth district police station, at Nineteenth and Main streets. Mrs. Bird was 48 years of age, while her husband was 59. [ages off from d.c.]
There are six children as follows: Mrs. Ella May Hall, who lives in Alford avenue; James C. Bird Jr., Miss Grace Bird, Miss Ruth Bird and Frank and Raymond Bird.
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Kentucky, U.S. Death Records:
Eliza Brown Bird, a 52 year old, married, white, female, died on 28 June 1910 of gun shot wound of lungs and heart - murder. Burial - Cave Hill.
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1910 U.S. Fed Census of Louisville Ward 12, Jefferson, Kentucky
James C Bird, 57; Eliza A. 52, wife - married 32 years. 6 children/6 living;
Children: James C. 29; Grace R. 24; Ruth G. 19; Frank B. 16; Raymond T. 11
[Provided by CatheaC #47339429]
Gravesite Details
Burial Date: 06/30/1910, Ref: Cemetery Records
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