Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-05-24
SHOCKING NURpER!-A no.t

hnrrid murder was committed in this city
at noon-day yesterday, by a labouring
man named Alexander M'Lean, upon
the body of his wife. The deed was
perpetrsted at the house OF aiI. Gard
net, No. III Water. street. We happen.
ed TO be at the City Hall when the muir
derer and witnesses were brought to tue
Police. Ryanna Gardener an Interest,"
ing young woman was the only witness
examined. she stated that ALean
came to the house ol Mrs. Gardner be.
tween 10 aud IL o'clock, and mad some
dispute with his wIfe, Maria IA Lean,
who was sewing ia the family; alter
which, he went away, and returned a
gain at about ~ O'Clock. HIS wife was
at this time dressing herself, and she
went away from him, saying that sac
did not want TO see him. She did not
leave the room, however, but her hus-
band followed her about Witness sud
denly heard a shrek, and saw A'Lesn
draw large knife from his wIfe's SIDE,
and saw the knife bloody Mrs. N H. an
then ran down stairs, with her hand on
her side, and the blood streaming down
her clothes. She then sat down, saying
-"Mrs. Gardner my husband has stab
bed me.o Sine died in about an hour
afterwards. The knife was brought TO
the Police Office, bloody. II is large
butcher knife, entirely new, and evl.
IDENTITY purchased for the mui deroas OBJ
ject M'Lesn showed no disposition TO
escape.
An alarm was given, and several of
the citizens came in aud arrested him,
and brought him to the Police Here he
pretended 10 be quite stupid alledging
that be had taken arsenic, and that a
doctor had given hin IN cmeilc 10 bring
it up. A small quantity of arsenic was
found upon him; but the Physician who
was called in yesterday afternoon, in
forms US that he had not swallowed e.
nouGh of the poison materially TO iniure
him. He infused the poison in rum, and
being a mineral, not easily soluble ia
alcohol, it was prscipitated to the bot
tom, where IL was found IN the cup from
which he had drunk what was intended
for deadly llbation.
We have not learned the clause which
led TO this desperate aud tragic act.
M'Leau is u native of Ireland, about ~
to IS years old, aud Is said 10 have been
Incorporate in his habits, and extreme.
y ungovefnabla4when under the infu.
enee OF lquor.-His wife is the daugh.
Ter of MIR. Alexander Thompson, car
penter, Of this city, and was about 81
years Ok age. and had one child. in
March last, he was arrested for abus-
ing his wife, and committed 10 Bridewell,
but was afterwards bailed ont, and Sc
eurity given for bis good behaviour. IL
is said that when be approached her
yesterday morning with bis muederous
intention he pretended that he was
bout to depart from the city, and wished
10 take final leave of her.
Nc y Commercial sfdccrtiser.
The Albany .Mafde, The Albany
Daily Advertiser OF faesday last, says,
'it is now ascertained that the true
name of the person confined in gaol, on
suspicion of numbering Mr. btnpple, is
Jesse Strang. Circumstances are con-
tioually developing which increase the
belief of his guilt Ii is deemed impor.
tant to further the ends of justice, that
the rifle or pistol. with which the horrid
deed was committed, should be found.
It's supposed to be hid in the vicinity
of the place where it was so fatally used,
but all the search as yet made, has pro-
we'd unagailing. II was suggested 10 the
citizens of Albany, to meet yesterday
morning at ten O'Clock, near Cherry
Hill, form themselves under the drec-
ton OF some proper officer, and scour
the ground, that, possible, the inslra-
ment may be discovered.