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EAST SHORE NEWS
PENTWATER, OCEANA Co., MICH.
FRIDAY, May 24, 1872
Vol. II, Number 71


                      The Musekgon Tragedy.
                 
           The particulars of the murder and suicide at
         Muskegon on the 15th, brief mention of which was
         made in the news columns of last week, show it to
         have been one of the most terrible tragedies of
         this age of tragic events. It occurred between
         9 and 10 o'clock in the evening, the murderer
         being W. IRVING BIRGE, a book agent well known
         in different towns of this section.
           It appears that BIRGE married, or pretended to
         marry a Miss NANCY J. MERRITT in North Carolina
         or Alabama, with whom he became acquainted while
         serving as a soldier in the Union army, some years
         ago. He came North with her and with her called
         upon his first wife, then living at or near Rock-
         ford, Kent Co. Mrs. BIRGE No. 1 has four children
         yet living. It was the first knowledge Mrs. BIRGE
         No. 2, or Miss MERRITT, had of BIRGE'S former mar-
         riage, and it led to differences, to quite serious
         trouble. She wanted to go home, but BIRGE would not
         allow her to, and she was obliged to live with him
         for some time after. He deeded some real estate to
         her while she was living with him. Some months ago
         she left him for good, and then other troubles about
         the property began. He frequently called upon her
         and tried to regain the property, but she adhered
         to her resolution of keeping it. She was in the
         employ of Herbs & Co., was an industrious, well-
         appearing woman, and was much respected by her
         acquaintances.
           Wednesday night BIRGE called at her house and
         words ensued - what was the cause or nature of
         the quarrel that followed will probably never
         be known - when she, fearing him, left the house.
         BIRGE followed her, and when near the school
         house fired at her with a revolver three times,
         two of the shots taking effect in her breast,
         the other in her shoulder, causing almost im-
         mediate death. He then shot himself through the
         head, and died in about two hours. Both bodies
         were taken to the Court House and an inquest
         held over them.
         
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