Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-05-13
IFrom the Eastern ..,r,,7

lNTEMPERANcEA AND MURpER.-A melancholy scene
TOOK place IN the shape of judicial trial. at York in
the county OF York, on Friday last, before the Su
preme Court, al the Justices being present The ac
cused was james Murphy, who was indicted for the
murder of his wife, Lucy Murphy at Kennebunk PORT
IN November last In addition to the barbary of his
crime the rla presented peculiar features of meau
choy and Distress the persons appesri as wines
ses against him. Among them his own son and
daughter the aged about IL years and the other
the latter, about s. The heart could not but revolt
at the disclosures made by these two Witnesses res
pcctng tile practices and crimes famiarizcd 10 thc
by their accused father and deceased mother whose
duty 1t was-whOse pleasure doubtless would have
oeeh, out Tor the Intoxicating bowl-to implant and
nurture IN their offspring by prccept and example
the seeds o. virtue and usefulness to society.
But horid as these examples were in their own an
pearances--the mind could but feel still more mn
goish, when seeing their dreadful effects upon the
hearts, ieelmgs and character Of the children them
selves 10 sec them srrayed in avowed hostility 10
her only living parent and obviously earnest TO effect
his condemnation, while his life was mt stake and do
pendant on their tesmony-to see the father in such
sItuation gazing wshiully upon his own ofsprinr
watching III GREATNESS anxiety every word from
their lipa-aternntely hoping for and desparinp of
their Kindness aud mercy, what could rot but
affect very scnsiby and sorrowfully the heart of
inc spectator, however strongly persuaded of the
quit ofthe accused.
The testimony established very clearly that Mummy
having probably first compelled his wife TO drink until
she Tell intoxicated the floor, then built TN fire
upon her, which he in the act Of blowing witt,
bellows, when the neighbours alarmed by some of his
children, rushed III and rescued her. The wretched
woman was, however, so much burnt that nf1or lin
gerng III an almost unconscious state for ID DAYS she
died of modification induced by the burns. This
wrctchcd couple had eleven children, some Of whom
arc married
The examination ~ tie w,nesscs and arguments NJ co,
mle the whole day. and at O'Clock in the evening tire m
retired FOR elaboration, the evidence having fully and pef
spcuosy sIuned Up by Judge Weston aud some Additional
remarks having been made by tire Chief JUSTICE
tG law applicable 90 the case, and the aueniahc cos,.
Guenccs OF niemprrdnre, from which this TRANSACTION tnr,
onaby originated The Jury an absence NJ neafy two
hos returned into court ana pronounced verdict Of G
/ 9 he crime Of Jh,yjer
Athe opening Of tho court on Saturday morning. Tire prisoner
was brought m, and having been asked he had Thug
OBJECT why tine sentence Of the law sloud uassed
ped that he never had any intention n taking the life NJ
wfe The same inquiry made Of the the mi
soncr who Piled that they had carefully examined the ndc
Uen' and other paPcfs, and discovered inegUay
upon I've Chief Justice after solemn adnoniion pronounce
the awful sentence Of DEATH.
The time ofeyecutou will be hxsdby the Executive,