Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-06-25
MOST AWFUL TRAGEDY.

from Huntingdon paper, giving some sc-
| count Of a most awful tragedy, in the muir
der ola whole Family. A more minute rcla-
from the Chambersburg depository of the
llth instant:
One of the most shocking murders-or TO
ther massacres of an almost entire family
that ever cast stain upon civilization, was
perpetratcd in Cromwell township, Hunting
don county, on Saturday the 25th ult.-Ths
prominent particulars, as gathered from an
Individual present at the examination, are
these William Brown is the father of the
murdered family, which consisted of the pa
rents and six children. The eldest daughter
was married TO Robert McConahy, who lived
on his father-n-law's premises as tenant.
Brown, it seems, is rough man, addicted to
intemperapce, and when in this condition was
in the habit oftbreaiening To kill some Of his
family, though never known to have attempt
ed any thing of the kind. He was in the ha-
bit OF working in the neighborhood at carpen-
tering, while McConahy conducted the farm
ing operations.
On Saturday morning the old man and his
eldest son, aged about 81, left home for their
places of employment !; shortly after which,,
Nice onahy proposed to the next eldest son and
Il younger one to ego a hunting at the same
time directing the daughter and another OF
the boys TO do some work i'll cornfeld.--
Nc Conahy's wife having the day previous
been conveyed to friends house at some
distance, by her husband, after the above dis
position had been gone into, the whole fami-
ly was dispersed, except Mrs. Brown, who
remained in the house. McConahy and the
two boys, on the hunting excursion, had not
proceeded much beyond half mile from
the house when the report ofg guns We're heard
and when the bodies of the two hoys were
afterwards found, it appeared that the oldest.
n stout boy, had not been mortally wounded
by the shot, that he made desperate battle,
until overcome by his merciless assailant.
who finally cut his throat. Whilst this sceno
was enacting, the smaller boy ran some dis
lance, but was pursued, shot and beaten to
death, and, with his brother, buried beneath
leaves and ether rubbish.
Shortly after !his, the girl and her broti,or
engaged in the corn field were attacked; the
girl was shot, but there was ample and pain
ful evidence to show that the first wound was
not fatal, and that she resisted the murderer
with extraordinary power, which ceased only
when both arms were broken, and her throat
cut from ear to car The boy here, as in the
other case, appeared to have been first shot
and then beaten and stabbed until life was
extinct. The bodies were covered up. The
next object of the fiend incarnate was the mo-
ther of those murdered children. She was
found in the house, and was despachcd with
d common butcher knife, with which her head
was nearly severed from her body, though not
without manifestati on of having resisted her
destroyer to the extent of her power. She
was buried in her bed, and the blood careful.
ly wiped off the floor.
The murderer then stationed himself in the
barn, with two loaded rifles, at a point COM
-, 4 e 81.
house, and awaited the approach Of The next
victims. The first was the eldest son, who,
when upon the Threshold Of the door, re-
ceived fatal shot, and fell dead upon the
spot. He was dragged inside the house, and
the door closed.-NeXt came the father, and
upon putting his hand to the door, found it
fastened, upon which he made some exclana-
ton of dissatisfaction, and at the same mo-
ment heard the report of gun, and felt that
ball had passed so close to his eyes as TO
cause considerable pain in a moment after,
another discharge of rifle sent ball SO as
to cut a part of his ear, Craze his whiskera,
and pass through his hat.-He then cast his
eyes towards the barn, and discovered per-
son hastily turn around the corner, directing
his course to the woods.
| Upon effecting entrance into the House,
| Mr.. Brown found his eldest son upon the floor,
dead. and upon further examination, dscoy-
cred his wife concealed by the bed clothes,
! life also extinct. He then communicated tho
! dreadful circumstance to the neighbors, who
| Immediately instituted search for the ether
members Of the family, who were found ~
already described, the seaTchers being led
in the right direction Ivy the report Of The guns
previously heard.--The next question was.
JTho is he Murderer ? The character ard
habits Of Brown at once gave color TO The sus-
cjcinn that he had r1turrnd toruo ruaSjcrIcd,
as thousands have been before him, by lntox-
catirg Liquor, and had thus put into exeeu-
ton his Oft threatened ard unnatural purpose.
lie was secured-but fortunately for him he
had remained sober that day, and only needed
to bring forward his proofs to satisfy all that
he could not be The murderer.
! McCVnaliy, the Son-in-law, was present,
yorabic to Brown, the latter at once accused
him as the criminal averring that he was the
lnan ne saw FunniEg from the barn, &c. This
soon resulted in the liberation o. the old man
aud the securing Of McConalIy, who, in all
the subsequent examination. became more
deeply involved in condefnning circumstan-
ces, and was finally committed to Huntingdon
Jail to await his trial in August.
Providence seems to have iuterposcd in
remarkable manner TO Illustrate the design Of
the assassin. Ii McConaiiy is fiie guilty
man, the only object he can have had in view
was to destroy the whole family in order TO
secure the property Of his father-ir-iaw 10
himself-and il wcrld seem that the cslcula-
! ten was that tie public would be ready to
conclude that Brown had perpetrated the
dreadful SIauuhfer and then committed silicida