Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1828-12-26
SWEARINGEN AND HIS PARAMOUR.
From the Winchesier { Va.J Repu577cd''.

SWEARINGEN AND HIS PARAMOUR.
From The Winchester Na.) Republican.
We have verbally heard through various channels,
in manner which goes to render the actvery pro.
bable, that Gen. Van Swearngen, who is charged
with having murdered his wife in Aegany county,
Md. in September last recently taken near the
Red river, in Kentucky together with Rachel Gun
nlnaham, his suspected partner in the crime. 1t i
said they were apprehended by tavern-keeper,
(who is also postmas'er) at whose house they mad
passed the night In hour after their departure,
the mail arriving with Gov. kent's proclamation
describing Swearingen and bl paramount, Suspicion
was directed towards them, and the postmaster coll
lecting few neighbours, went 10 pursuit and over
took them in two or three hours.
From another source we have heard the following
| history of Rachel Cunningham, to whom Lilies
WILDWOOD, in the tragedy Of George Barnwell.
cannot hold candle.
She was brought up at Bedford, Pa. where she was
probably early initiated into the corrupons OF that
during the watering SEASON. fashionable and ltcen-
tous place. Of her early history. however, we have
heard nothing, except that her person was perfectly
lovely. and that her countenance was mirror IN
which each winning grace strove tor pre-emnence.
Possessng perhaps as great share Of personal beau
ty as was ever lav:shed on woman IN the most
wanton freaks of Natures WORKMANSHIP p-rvalling
perhaps the tabled nymphs of Cyprus--shea visited
Frankn county, Pa. where the FIRST act OF the dra-
ma may be said to have opened. She there ensnar-
! ed the affections of a Mr.. L., one of the most
wealthy and hitherto respectable merchants OF that
cou nty, and effected separation between himself
and wife. Stung at length with remorse, ne sum-
naned sulicie mt courage to break the spell Whlch
bound him, and by successful stratagem, effected
through the aid Of of his clerks, he succeeded IN
extrcating himself.
The scene now shifts to Pttsburg, where the
heroine of the drama soon captlvated a wealthy
blacksmith the proprietor also of an extensive livery
table, whose niItity threw his wife into irenzys
and caused her, IN moment oil revenge ana despe-
ration, to set fire her husbands possessions, BY
which his extensive stables, and forty horses we're
. consumed. This effected the wife's desires. and
the modern Wildwood was again cast upon the world
The scene next shifts to Harrisburgh, tue capital
of Pennsylvania, where she soon contracted an
amour with jl,lce F. name foremost In, the
list Of debauchees and prohigaes in that stad and
exemplary State. The consequence of which was
another matrimonial separation. Her reason for
leaving the judge we do not remember, nor is 1t ma
/ terial.
! The fourth act finds her in Hagerstown, Maryland,
where she speedily enrapped in her tolls the sheriff
of the County George Van Swearngen, who has
frequently been heard to say that he never knew or
felt the raptures of love until he looked upon this
syren. and that he could gaze upon her with
out his whole frame being wrought up to the highest
state of bewldering excitement. TO her he saerI-
feed every thng,-fortune, honour fame for he
became ielon-and for her he will probably die
feon's DEATH
The fifth aud last act is yet to be performed. The
} materials are at hand.--the dungeon scene-the
ga!lows-the ex ecutinner-the assembled multitude
the dying speech and the slow but certain triumph
of Justice.
This history is brief, but what tale does it unfold.
We question whether, if written out at LENGTH if the
life OF any other woman 10 this any other country
would present onler picture OF sell pollution, lust
and loathsnineness with more lanentable conquest
: over connubial honour or domestic peace. The de-
q sire of gam NAV induca hreng writers and more
! sordid publishers TO collect the particulars of her
u life. and spread them before the world. protessedlF
as beacon light uard the morals OF our country
women from similar excesses But we trust not
c Such bnok, By presenting in captivating language
j. her career of crime, would do infinite mischief
h and be the means of blighting many fair Hover,
that but for it would have expanded its chaste and
II glowing beauties in yirtuOus Innocence. and cast
+ fragrant odour upon the circle of its admirers
Cra,,iologu-The collection of skulls made BY
r the late DR.. Gal has heen purchased by an Eng
s lishman for s $1,000 BY his last will the Doctor
. ordered that his own skull should be added to the
/. collection This study seems to have become quite
. a mania in France. The Gaxette lie France states
x that the Minister of Marine. Hyde de Melville. has
j. become convert to the system, and has made 1t
g the foundation Of new classification of galley
q slaves Hitherto these wretches have been classed
according to the length of time for which they were
If convicted. Mr. Appert has been sent by the MINI
l. stor to visit all the seapor,s to examine ana feel
the heads of all the galley slaves. and t" class them
G according to the analogy found to exist between
the bumps and protuberances found on their skulls.
This order has already given rise to pleasant sarce
which has beea very successful at Paris,