Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-06-08

little sufferers were fne healthy chill.
dren. and much liked by their neigh.
bors.
Thomas Greensmiih, Of Basford. 1.-THE
murderer, having been questioned BY
the Coroner said: live in the ward
nextto this house, and Mr.. Mark Wood.
ward is my landlord Invent on Mon
day morning last TO hedge on the farm
OF Mr.. &. Brown, at Westwood Park;
| remained there all the day; and re-
turned home in the evening about Sc
ven o'clock. When got home, took
something 10 eat. staid IN the house
about half On hour, and then went TO
the Seven Stars public house. near the
Leather Bottle, Noting CHAM. where 4
bad cup ale. then returned home.
walked alone the whole of the way,
and reached Basford between eIeyen
and twelve that night. / met Mr.. Jo-
seph Woodward. (who is the father of
MIR. Mark Woodward, my landlord. J
IN the yard; he asked me about the
rent, and told him 1 had arranged
with has son 70 pay IL the next We'd
nesdsy bot one; he told me he would
have II next morning; told him Il was
impossible for me 10 give il 10 him the
next morning. but that he should have
II IN the course Of the next week: he
said he would not be put off in that
way, and il / did Mt get it ready in the
morning he would take my goods. 1
thought il he took my goods, that /
should have no housc-no where 20 60
mo home, nor nothiDg-and thai be-
fore my children should be turned into
the street, and be separated from me. l,
would suffer what the law would please.
to clap on me. (The prisoner 30
paused, and it was very apps--;,''1 'na'
great emotion was. palsS~ "ith'n MS
bosom: but after A.~'Iad answered two
or threes cs.sSsdons, resumed and de-
scr;hs.jss- 20 the jury in The most minute
Ssetail, and with the greatest compo-
sure, as iollows):-
Coroner-Did you turn your house
keeper away that night?
Pnsoner-I told her she must 90:
and intended her TO go out aud not
stay there that night.
coroner-Did you go up stairs as
soon as she was gone,
Prisoner-No. vas not willing 10
part with my children. so made up my
mind TO strangle them, and | did II
with my handkerchief
I cOroner-When did thai idea FIRST
come into your mind?
Prisoner-Nol till that night-afler
talking TO Mr. Woodward. | did not
proceed up stairs Immediately after my
housekeeper left. staid in the house
place about an hour then went up
stairs, and went directly into the chill
dTen's room. think some of them
were awake, but don't know particu-
larry. The threat that Mr.. Woodward
gave me, caused me to do what | did.
There were two in one bed and two in
the other. think took my hand
kerchief out Of my pocket when got
up stairs, but don't know where.
went TO the bed where the two youngest
ones were lying Mark and Ami
think they were not awake at the time
! kissed them all. shook hands, baGe
them good bye, before / destroyed
them. In less than minute after !
got into the room, ! began; took the
youngest. Mark. first; l twisted my
handkerchief bit and put it round its
neck, and tied it IN fast single knot.
| drew it tight but did not pull it at all
Afterwards; ihenlefi hold of the hand
keTchieE The prisoner, there is little
doubt, in his agitation, drew the knot
Of the handkerchieiin the first instance
across lis mouth, as Il bears marks on
ITS lips, and its tongue is bitten. I had
candle with me in the chamber-I
stood IN the chamber, but do not know
that looked at il while it was sran-
Cling; believe did not look az II.
kept the handkerchief on its neck FIVE
minutes. I then took Il of, aud the
child appeared 70 be dead. did moi
see that Il bled al the mouth, Is I dad
not look at Il IN the face. 1t did NOT
scream. Not a single one OF them ever
WINGED. went to Ann next, and tied
80 hShdkeFnhief abound her IN the
same way. When liSd thfottlad Ann.
! went down stairs and slaid against the
FIRE few ainutes STOOD consider.
Iing--and thought might as well suffer
for them Al % for two.
then went up stairs again, and was
goingup 70 che bed where the oihertwo
lay (the bed under the window IN
which John and William, the two old
osl boys, were when William Jumped
out Of bed, ran across the floor. and got
into che bed where Ann and Mark Law,
which Is the cause they are all in one
bed. ] thought be had seen me stran-
gle the other lwo--ss he ran across The
floor. be said, Pray, father. don't do
me 20 I then tied the handkerchief
round the biggest boy 8 neck, (John's;)
] did nos look 70 see II John struggled
but went and Sat down ON the bed side
against William and said 90 him, my
Id