Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1833-06-13
MURDER OF MRS. HAMILTON.

\ On Friday, the 7th inst. ate p. m. th'
jury empannelled to try Clcugh for thu
murder of Mrs. Hamilton, came into
Court at Mount Holly, Nsw-Jersey, af
ter an hours absence, with verdict o
MURDER IN THE FIRST JECREE. Clougf
was then sentenced to be hung on the
the 26th day Of July next. Our readers
are already in possession Of the mos
prominent particulars Of this atrocious
/ deliberate and cold blooded murder-but
will find in the following extracts from
the Philadelphia Gazette, many thrilling
details as they came out on the trial, moi
hitherto published. The unfortunate vic
tim of this determined villain is repre-
sented TO be lady of uncommon anna
bleness of character, and great personal
attractions.
Il The reports we have heard, as to
Clough's previous good character, turn
out TO be untrue. No sooner rad the n
York police officers heard Of his arrest,
than they came on here to see him. He
was, at once, recognized as prominent
actor in a daring robbery, committed d
some time ago; and on being asked to
tell where the stolen properly was con-
cealed, he disclosed to them the place
where it might be found.
Il The testimony of Mrs. Longstreth,
the mother Of the deceased, was of the
most affecting kind. Her appearance
commanded universal respect, founded
as it was, upon a character the mos, un
sullied, while lier position, being called
upon to testify, in crowded Court room,
to the minute details Of heart-breaking
deed, the murder Of her own dearly
cherished daughter, appealed to the sym
pathies Of the spectators with an agoniz-
ing kcenness no pen can picture, and no
fancy realize. When she approached
the awful point Of receiving her dying
daughter in her arms, her agitation near
ly overcame her feelings, and the breath
less stiffness Of the audience evinced at
once their interest in the recital, and
their sympathy for her grief; but when
she repeated that gentle, but too keen re-
proach of the victim, ooh, mother, |
screamed, and l screamed, chy didn't
you comet" her bursting heart relieved
itself in a torrent of tears, and the conta-
gious influence Of the affecting specta-
Gle, difused itself among all around,
knocking at their hearts with a vehe-
mence that melted every eye that gazed
upon her. Never did witness so sub
DUNG an exhibition. Clough alone re-
mained immoveable-his face sought
hiding place beneath the covering of his
hand, and if he fell the narrowing scene,
his sterner nature refused to give an evi-
dence that he did,
You will observe, from the evidence
now send, that when the screams of the
deceased were first heard, three men, so
called, rushed up stairs, and saw the
bending over his defenceless
victim, with the fatal weapon, at that
moment in her breast, and that he even
stabbed her three times before their eyes!
What, in the name of all that is virtuous
and manly, do you think these grown I'D
chuckleheads did, when they beheld the
horrid spectacle, Of woman in the grasp
of her murderer : Did they strike the
wretch down to the earth h?-dd tbov
seize him?-did they knock away his
arm?-did they even call nm
on him to desist No No! Thew lc(l |
that office TO a girl Of thirteen wears old
while they, TO their everlasting disgrace
be it spoken, fled down stairs One orII
them, more hardy than the rest, vent,r.
ed to call for "pistos and constable -
while the others made arrangements 10
surround the house! Oh shame upon the
craven hearted men-strong, stout, able
bodied as they all were, either ono of.
hem match for the fiend-that ,bev
should witness his stabs, and, with one
accord, run away, and leave him to COM
,lcte the bcllish deed! But their conduct
vas exposed to the ridicuc and execro-
ion Of large community, by Mr. Brown.
n his cross examination and as thew
walked the streets Of the village, the wo-
nen pointed at them the finger of scorn.
ind the men turned up their lips, in utter
contempt of their pusillanimity. II
The conduct of Clough in prison indi-
.ates him to be hardened and callous
wretch. He asked for book, and Bi-
lie was sent TO him. lie refused il. and
Iesired II to be taken away, saying that !