Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-02-15
NORFOLK, January %.


1t is almost Impossible for the imagina
ton TO conceive a more horrible and tragi
cal event in a civilized community, thaI
the n which We have now the disagreea
Die task OF announcing, and in recountinI
OF which the pen fecoils with horror.
The particulars of this abominable dee,
we have from a young man who was a dis
tant spectator OF this shocking catastrophe
as given before the oroners inquest. A.
bout one O'Clock, p. M. on Saturday last
a young man named David Frank, VIII,
was in the employ of Mrs. Collins, Of thi,
borough, was seen walking with his
Anna Cabins, the oldest daughter OF hi
employer a charming young girl of l.
years Of age) on a small island opposite he
mothers residence, on which were som
negroes at woik-Ihe hey had proceeded ma
ny PAGES during the witnesses observation
when he perceived Frank e%ncircle MIS-
Us. waist with his arm, when she sudden
iy rushed from him, uttered a most violen
shrek and instantly fell upon which F
immediately ran to the adjoining creek an
threw himself into it, apparently with tn
Intention OF d owning himself, in which be
log bafazd BY the shallowness of the water
he returned to the shore which he had n
sooner regainsc, than he also fell !-Th
witness, on psrceiving these strange unac
countable Proceedings, procured a cano
and crossed The creek without delay, wheI
on attempting to raise the young lady (littl
dreaming other melancholy fate) perceive,
her throat cut from ear to ear las 500
as he recovered from the shock which 81
horrld a spectacle naturally produced, h
approached the young man whom he foun,
watering in blood, and on examination h
found his throat cut so effectually that hi
head was nearly severed from his body /.
he was l~i!eless, but the detestablc weapon
with which he had rendered himself Sc
Ca shor: butchers knyeJ was clenched il
ms hand.
Frank was a well conducted yoln,
man OF about 81 years of age, and said t,
be OF a respectable family in or contiguous t
Richmond--bnt from the superscription O
a letter written to his Brother, handed u,
this morning., suspect he is from Washing.
ton city. There are various and contradict
tory reports atloat as to the motives of his
committing this diabolical act but the one
most prevalent is, that of being thwarted
in his affection for the young innocent who
fell a victim to his temerity.
q The reader will perceive by the follow.
ing letter, which is dated the day before
the tragical scene, that Fran k con.
templated on murder. We give the let.
ter without any alteration.
NORFOLK, January IS, 1871.
Dear Brother,
l write these few lines hoping that they
may find you aud all my friends in perfect
health and in the path of virtue, for | have
stroled from them TO my sorrow.
o Brother do not let it grieve you that
I am a going to depart this life in a few
days and to leave this troublesome world,
for End this life a perpetual plague. 0
Brother do not let it make any impression
On your mind or any of my relations as l
think il mostproper to leave this world. o
Brother do not let it grieve mother, for |
have been an undutlful child--O Brother
do not think hard of 1t as it is lot so it
must be. o Brother Brother Brother l
hope tina. you will not take on any about it,
for it is my choice TO leave ibis stage OF ac-
ton. Brother soo,hc mother up and don't
let it hurt her feelings for she is old and |
fear il may be hrrfuin.
o Brother farewell farewell farewell till
the next world and hope there We shall
rest more peaceable.
Adieu Adieu Adieu.
DAVID FRANK.
Mr.. John Frank, Washington city,
District Of Columbia.