Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-06-13
Trials for .MMrSTcr.
TmAi. oF JOEL. CI.oUGu.

HtYIhen, Of Bsrsk7ng.rn, .Nsrr-Jersey.
This bloo,ly deed pcrl'stratcd GA the 9th Of
April. Ciough boar,icr in the house of
Mrs. i-ong>tryth, the mother Of Mrs IIanilton.
anil seems To have been driven 70 the foul act Il,
feelings Of revenge, created by disappointed io,,
and jealousy.
Copy II letter TO the Editor Of the Dailv INTEL
Hseaeer, dated MOUNT HOLLY, FRIDAY
The trial Of the unfortunate Clough
has commenced. The examination Of
the witnesses is progressing while I
write. and at every word which falls
from their lips the hopes of the prisoner
ebb away.
tits not surprising that the case
should produce excitement. Its ro-
mantle and melancholy in all its mar.
ticulars. The deceased was known 10
many, and esteemed by all who knew
her. She was lively. engaging. &C.
eomplished, and amiable. Her per.
: sonal beauty attracted the admiration,
and her estimable character secured
the affections, Of many Of the most
respectable young gentlemen in her vi
entity. She had not vet been twelve.
inonth a widow, yet there were several
suitors Tor her hand. The most i'm.
FASHIONED was the unfortunate Clouph.
Ii Is said that there had been between
them several gentle passages - that
she had accepted from him gold
watch, and had presented him in no.
turn, with an unfortunate and fatal
gift-her husbands dirk! The dark
reserve and lofty passions Of Clough's
nature made him to his rivals On obieet
OF mingled fear, envy and hatred; and
has suspicion and jealousy did much
with the object Of his love, either "a
repcl the affections he sought, or alien.
ate the fidelity which had been plight.
ed To him.
1t Is indeed said by her friends that
she had never encouraged his atten.
tions; and that he only shared in com.
mon with others the sfability and kind.
ness which characterized her in Ill the
relations of life. This may we'll be
subject of doubt. 1t may be doubted
whether IN the exultation Of conscious
power she did not trifle with the haueh.
~ and passionate spirit abe had capt..
waited; and encourage the wild, fren.
lied, but faithful affection which she
well knew he cherished for her. lfso,
the playful folly proved Q fatal one
the moving cause Of a tragedy most
deep, bloody and affecting.
The character Of Ciough, 40 depict.
ed to me by his associates. was moral,
gentle and affectionate; bot prone to
Jealousy, aud "when reused, psrpiex.
ell in the extreme" Upon a former
occasion, in which he had exhibited
this last dangerous trait. an aged friend
sotemniy rebuked him, concluding
with these words, MARX me. Clough,
this jealousy and passion, if not sub.
dued.will bring you 10 an early and in
famous death."-His words 1 fear are
about to be fearfulIy realized.
A short time before the commission
OF the fatal act for which he 10 now
arraigned. the malicious tattIe Of the
village informed him, that Mrs. Hamil.
ton was engaged TO another. His worst
suspielOns wege realized. The torture
OF spirit which, during the whole course
OF hrs passion, no had constantly be
trayed, was heightened into intense
and frsnZied agony. Reason was swept
away before the storm. The passion
which had so completely engros,ed his
nature was disappointed, bafFled, sham.
ell; hts pride mortified his elevation
of manner and lOftiness of pretensiop
exposed to ridIcule. and himself sub.
jected to the sneerirg pity aud open
aud bitter ribaldry Of his rivals and
enemies. The spirit of revenge start.
ed up IN his bosom, and he became, as
he has since confessed, the passive and
'eekIess instrument Of this new pas.
zion. IL did not, we are told. ex6ibi,
itself IN wildness Of demeanor, or VIC.
lenee OF outward passion. lie was calm
and desperate; and determined TO bury
himself, the cause and the remem.
brsnee OF his passion and modification.
an one oomIaon grave.
~ VIII be remembered that he bearded
m the same house with Mrs. n. Ue
ie'gned illness, and Mrs. ". being sent
INTO the room, he seized her. lie held
her IN one arm. while with the other
he brsndiahed her hTsJand's dirk. The
fatal pledge Of a fatal affection. RI.
weapon fell onee-again-and a third
time, and at each blew pierced through
her heart Her cries brought several
men into The room bat the sudden
ness aud horror Of the scens appalled,
them add to their eternal disgrace
Msy Hed. u has been said that when
seen' the dirk was IN the victims DO.
son. and &c wss moving il sbout in
The wound for the purpose Of making
u deeper and wider. This, however,
- denied. ADD it 10 alleged that the
weapon had struck upon a breast Din,
ana that be was dissngAging It. lie
InhIeted IN all eleven wounds. Mr..
~ shrIeklng, struggling and covered
with bloOd. sseaned - .,.,