Person:William Wardwell (36)

Listed as unnamed male in his birth record.

Died of Internal Hemorrhage from a pistol shot wound. Living at 41 Florence Street at death.

There are three accounts of his murder which vary:

Dr. W.T.S. Wardwell Killed by Burglar Boston, June 24 - Dr. William T.S. Wardwell, thirty-five years old, of 41 Florence Street, West Roxbury, was shot and almost instantly killed at 4:30 this afternoon at his home by Amos L. Morse, twenty-nine years old, of 25 Revere Street. Morse entered the doctor's house for the probable purpose of robbery, and was discovered by the doctor, who evidently tried to detain him. Morse then shot the doctor twice and he died almost immediately. The murderer ran out of the house, but the screams of the doctor's wife, who heard the shots fired, attracted some workmen near by, who followed Morse, captured him, and turned him over to the police. While Morse was running he fired several shots at his pursuers, but none of them took effect. -New York Times 25 June 1893

"Jealousy Caused Murder A well-known Boston Physician Murdered Saturday Afternoon Boston, June 25 - Dr. William T.S. Wardwell, aged 35, of West Roxbury, was shot and killed Saturday afternoon by Amos L. Morse. Morse had become very jealous of the doctor, whom he believed to have been unduly intimate with his wife. Morse was noticed by several persons lounging about Dr. Wardwell's residence during the afternoon, and acted as though he was trying to attract his attention. About 4:15 Dr. Wardwell went upstairs to do some writing, and a few minutes later the door bell rang and Mrs. Wardwell went to the door. She ushered the caller, Morse, into the waiting room, and then went upstairs and told the doctor that a young man was below who was anxious to see him. The doctor continued writing, and upon a second request from his wife, went below into the waiting room, partially closing the door. Before a word was spoken, so far as known, three shots were fired by Morse, with deadly effect. He then ran from the house, but was pursued and captured. -Winnipeg, Manitoba Morning Free Press 26 June 1893

"Three Shots Fired A Boston Physician Killed In His Own House A Premeditated Murder People Who Know Him Think Him Insane Boston, June 26 - Dr. W. F. Wardwell was murdered at his home in Florence Street, Roslindale, at 4:25 o'clock Saturday afternoon by Amos I. Morse, who resides with his wife at 25 Revere Street in this city. At the hour named, Morse rang the doorbell of the doctor's residence. The doctor's wife answered the summons, and the man said he desired to see the doctor. Mrs. Wardwell invited the caller to step inside, and Mrs. Wardwell went upstairs after ushering the man into the sitting room. The doctor came down stairs and entered the room. At that moment, Mrs. Wardwell was startled by the rapid reports of a pistol. She rushed down the stairway and discovered her husband lying upon the carpet. She spoke to him. He did not answer. He was dead. The murdered had fired three shots at the doctor and well meant to kill him. After Morse had killed the doctor, he rushed out of doors and ran down Florence Street, closely pursued by Mrs. Wardwell, shouting "murder" and screaming to pedestrians to stop him. Several young men gave chase after Morse, and he, thinking he was to be captured, turned in a most deliberate manner and fired a shot at his pursuers. They stood for a moment, and Morse started off on a run again. The crowd of young men continued the chase. They closed up on him, and he turned again and drew his revolver. He fired another shot. His revolver was then empty. The crowd chased the murderer hotly as he ran down Washington Street. When he gained Keyes Street at Forest Hills Patrolman Delaney captured him. Morse, after he had been tucked away behind bars, said that he had no regrets and that he had only done what any man should do whose home had been broken up; whose wife's affections had been alienated. That was the charge he brought against the doctor. The murderer had secured his revenge at the muzzle of a new bulldog revolver. When Mrs. Morse heard the news she fainted. Upon being told that her husband had injured Dr. Wardwell she instantly inquired: "Has he shot him?" When she recovered from the shock, she exclaimed: "Why did he not kill me instead?" Mrs. Morse said she had known Dr. Wardwell, as had her husband, for several years, but had not seen him for several months. Mrs. Morse was married five years ago, and has since had an unhappy life, although the couple's troubles have not been generally known of until within a year. Morse had been an elevator man for several years, first at R.H. White & Co.'s store and afterwards at the Equitable building. Evidently Morse intended to commit the deed, for when he left work at noon, he said he should not be back that afternoon with an air of mystery, adding to the assistant janitor that he wished he would collect his pay Monday and see that his (Morse's) wife got that balance after paying $5 to Mr. McKay, a tenant in the building. Morse was regarded by his associates as a quite man with a dangerous temper. Dr. Wardwell was 32 years old, and graduated from the Boston high school and also from the Harvard Medical School. After that he went to the Massachusetts General Hospital and the to Providence, where he met his future wife, then known as Miss Amy Canfield, a nurse. For over three years, he had lived in Roslindale where he identified himself with many local interests, being a member of Longfellow Lodge of Odd Fellows and of the Masons, having taken his third degree in that order last Monday night. He also belong to the Knights of Honor. The autopsy showed one bullet entered the doctor's face below the left eye and imbedded itself below the left of the brain. A second entered one side and lodged in his intestines. The third went up through one kidney and a lobe of the heart, finally coming out through the other side. No satisfactory reason has yet been advanced for Morse's crazy deed. The doctor's personal character has been above reproach, according to the testimony of every resident of Roslindale, and Mrs. Morse is also spoken highly of. Since the murder, many of Morse's neighbors at his former residence in Dorchester recall his erratic disposition during his residence there. The neighbors regard him as slightly demented, as he at times committed minor acts that could not be otherwise construed than as originating from an unbalanced mind. But he was not feared. - The Fitchburg Sentinel 26 June 1893

Morse Held Without Bail Boston, July 3- Amos L. Morse was arraigned in West Roxbury District Court for the murder of Dr. W.T.S. Wardwell on Florence Street, Roslindale. He looked pale and careworn. The murdered man's wife gave her testimony and was cross-examined. Judge Howard held Morse without bail. - The Fitchburg Sentinel 03 July 1893

1. ↑ Boston Massachusetts Vital Records 1864 Volume 170, Page 18.

   Boston Massachusetts Vital Records 1864 Volume 170, Page 18

2. ↑ Boston Massachusetts Vital Records 1893.