American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1826-04-14

Boston Municipal Court.--A case was recently
tried at the sitting OF this Court of more extraor-
dinary character than ever recorded in the his.
tory OF crimes; and although the occurrence pro-
vldenally even.uatcd without any personal injury.
it is Of iightful nature, than most of those
which attended with serious or fatal conseuuen.
lces.
The defendant, who was called William Dunbar.
although that is understood not to be his exact
namc is stout brawny red-haired Irshman, six
feet high and about twenty-five years of age, OF
grea, muscular power, dark countenance and low
erng eye
The prosecutor resides in Ann street, in large
brick house; the lower front rosm oil which is oc-
cupied as a store, and the remaining part by his
family only, which consisted of his wife and two chill
dren, her brother, sister, two boarders and the do
mestics AT about eleven O'Clock they retired to
rest having frs; carefully put out the 6res and Sc
cured the doors and windows by the usual fasten-
ngs.
The sleeping room of the prosecutor was large
front chamber, carpeted the bed had curtains and
| was placed with one aide close to the wall This
bed was occupied by the prosecutor and his wife, a
nursing infant on her arm and child of about three
years old who slept between them and, according
to their usual practice, lamp was left burning in
the chimney. In This condition they had sunk into
| sound sleep when the lady was reused by feeling
the cold hands OF man about her person; and on
turning round found the Prisoner aCithout any thing
but his shirt on, actually in her bed
Her screams alarmed her husband, and the rest
OF the family, who succeeded in securing him and
delivering him over to the custody of the Watch
The prisoners coat, hat and shoes were below in
the entry, by the side door his panaloons were
at the foot of the bed The lamp was out; and
had evidently been blown out. as was after wards
re lighted and burned without more oil. The bu-
reau draws were pulled out--some things were
scattered on the foor--a haf dkerchiei in which
some money was tied up, was united, but not
moved-a knife which was in the prosecutors waist
coat pockc was taken out, and lay by the prisoners
pantaloons No part of the house was unfasened; |;
and 1t is therefore conectured that he secreed
in the house when the family went to bed
What his precise object was in coming there
or whether he had any when he vent IN, only
be ascertained by his conduct. TnSs much seems
certain, that il the husband had by any Sccdent been
away from home, the most lamentabe consequences
would have followed; or had he beeN within reach
of arms, the prisoner might have met his uunish-
ment without process OF law.
The only account given of himself by the Prison
err was, that he was intoxicated, and mlstook the
prosecutors house for his own. II appearedtha
his proper lodgings in Portland Street, at leIst
quarter Of a mile from the house he entered and
not very like it, either in accommodation or appear
ance. He had never been in this house before, for
any purpose and was wholly unknown to all the
inmates. The witnesses, who were examined for
the government, expressed their confident opinion
that he was not drunk. They testified FIRST, to his
offers of money to be discharged and when lha,
was treated with contempt, to his insolen language,
and threats of revenge, if prosecuted.
witness, called for the Prisoner, said he left
his store about ten O'Clock, evidently having drank
too much liquor. Mr.. Austin in closing the cause
for the government, remarked that it was not i'm.
probable the prisoner might have got into the house
under the influence of rum, and remained in some
part undiscovered, until sleep had carried off some
of its effects and then finding himself in strange
place. proceeded from act to another, until the
fright he had given to the family had nearly proved
fatal to the lady and her child.
l, may serve as caution TO house keepers how
their houses are secured in the evening, we'll as
night, and induce some care in the examination Of
them before retiring TO sleep.
Samuel L. Knapp, Esq. appeared for the Pris.
oncr.
The defendant was convicted, and sentenced to
confinement in the State Prison for two pears and
ten days.