The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1827-05-24
NEW YORK. May II.

New YORK, May IL.
SHOCKING MURDER.-A most horrid
murder was committed in this city at noon
day yesterday, by laboring man named
| Alexander M'Lane, upon the body of his
wife. The deed was perpretratcd at the
house OF q mr. Gardner, No. II Water st.
We happened TO be at the City Hall when
the murderer and witnesses were brought
to the Police.
Ryanna Gardner, an interesting young
woman, was the only witness examined
She stated that M'Lane came to the house
of Mrs. Gardner between 10 g. Ii o'clk. and
had some dispute with his wife, Maria NJ
Lane, who was sewing in the family af
! ter which, he went away and returned
gain about IL o'clock. His wife was at
this time dressing herself, and she went a
way from him, saying that she did not
want to see hlm--Shc did not leave the
room however, but her husband fol.
lowed her about. Witness suddenly heard
a shrek, and saw Lane draw a large
knife from his wile's side, and saw the
knife bloody. Mrs. M'Lane then ran down
stairs, with her hand on her side, and the
blood streaming down hor cIothes.- She
then sat down, saying" Mrs. Gardner my
husband has stabbed me-" She died in a
bout an hour afterwards. The knife was
brought 10 the Police office, bloody Il is
large butcher knife, entirely new, and
evidently purchased for the mnrderous OBJ
Ject. MLanc showed no disposition to es
cape. An alarm was given, and several
citizens came in and arrested him, and
brought him to the Police. Here he pre-
tended 10 be quite stupid--allegi that
ne had taken arsenic, and that doctor
had given him an emetic to bring it up A
small quantity of arsenic was found upon
him bnt the physician who was ca el in
yesterday afternoon informs us that ne had
not swallowed enough ofthe poison mater
ally TO mjure him. He infused the poison
IN rum and being mineral, not easily
soluble in alcaho, it was preciptated to the
bottom, where it was found in the cup from
which he had drank what was intended for
deadly llbatiOn.
We have not learned the causes which
ed 10 this desperate and tragic act NJ
Lane is a native Of Ireland, about ~ to 45
years old, and is said TO have been intem.
perate in his habitc, aRa extremely ungov-
rrnable when under tho influence of liquor.
lis wife is the daughter of mr.. Alexander
Thompson, carpenter in this city, and was
about ~ years OF age and had one child.
In Murch last, he was arrested for abusing
MS wife, and committed to Bridewell, but
was soon afterwards baiicd out, and secur
lty given for his good behavior. II is said
that when he approached her yesterday
morning with his murderous intention, he
pretended that he was about to depart from
the city, and wished to take a final leave Of
her.
[ A New York paper ofFriday says-M-
Lane, expired in Bridewell between elev-
en- and twelve o'clock yesterday morning,
from the effects oflhe arsenic he hud swal-
lowed
MLane's age was about forty--that Of
his wife twenty six. The latter was ofres-
pectable connexions. MI.ane, when So
Der, is stated to have been peaceable and
quiet, but when under the effects Of liquor
which was not scldom;--brutal and say.
age. When in prison, he seemed perfect
ly rational, but he never spoke of his wife,
nor made any allusion whatever to his hor-
rid crime.
A coroner's jury sat over the body yes
terday afternoon. The physician who ex-
amined him stated that he found the sto-
mach in a high state efinfammation and
much corroded. The verdict was " Sui
eide from taking arsenic"
The child was taken violently i'll on
Wednesday night, and an emetic being ad-
ministcred by physician, he gave IT as
his opinion that It's illness was produced by
arsenic. II is not certain how t received
it--whether II took ofits own accord part
Of the mixture which M'Lane prepared,
(and which he called egg nog, or whether
1t had been inserted into an orange which
It's wretched father gave it, just before the
murder. The child, however, could not
have imbibed much, as 1t was last evening
doing well.
We might moralize for ages on the de-
deplorable and fatal effects ofintemperance
and the allowing the passions free and un-
bridled sway. But inst,nces--horrible
examples--like this, speak more loudly and
strongly than volumes of formal argumen-
tative admonition.l
--..eoe~--
Mr.. RUSH, Secretary ofthc Treasury has
advertised that more than rvE MILLIONS
of the Public Debt will be paid off on the
first of July. That is right. The finances
are ably administered. Considering the
times, the Treasury is in highly flourish
ing condition. The National Debt 10 fast
sinking and will soon be paid of, five keep
on the wise and prudent course we are
now going. Village Record.
The criminals usually condemned TO the
State Prison, IN Ohio, are now sentenced
10 labor in making Canal.