Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1842-09-08
MISCELLANEOUS.
A MURDERER's HISTORY.

The arrest of Wiley Freeman, few
days ago, on the heinous charge of
numbering his wife, has been noticed,
and the New Orleans Picaynne now
gives at length the promised history of
the man, his act, and the long pursuit
Of her brother for revenge. The ac-
count points moral on which it is well
to reflect.
Freeman is about forty~eight years
of age; his countenance bespeaks
shrewdness and intelligence, and it al
so plainly tells of mind narrowed up
with feelings of intense agony and Bit
tar, biting remorse.
He was raised in Edgefeld, South
Carolina, and was married at the early
age of twenty-one or twenty two years.
His wife he had known from early in
fancy-they went to school together,
and together participated in the village
sports. Their union seemed to be such
a one as to insure perpetual happiness,
undying love.
After having lived together for some
twenty-five years, and after having gi-
ven the world eleven children, Freeman,
it appears, became the scottish slave of
intemperance, and, as a necessary con-
sequence, failed to discharge the duties
incumbent on every husband-on eve
ry father The mother, Mrs. Free
man) as mothers ever do, chung to her
children, and used her every exertion
TO supply them with those necessarles
and that education and protection
which it was the duty of father to
provide.
Freeman would sometimes come and
take from his wife the youngest mem
bers of the family; and this would
seem to have been done more with a
viewof narrowing the mothers feelings
than from any paternal affection which
he felt for his children.
On one occasion he took off the two
younger children and placed them at
the house ola sister ofhis. Their mo-
Their, feeling solieitous. for their well
fare, sent one of her sons, young man
seventeen years old, after them, who
brought them back to their mother
They had not long left when Freeman
returned to his sisters and found them
gone; his mind dethroned by rum, and
his soul fired by an unfounded jealousy,
for this cursed passion, too, preyed
upon him) he hastily seized his rife,
swearing that he would take the life Of
his own son! He loaded his piece with
two balls, hurried after his children
with the design Of spilling their blood
but failed to overtake them.
Having thus failed, and having de
termination to commit foul and bloc
DIV deed, he went on to the house of his
wife, whom he found engaged in he
domestic duties; he levelled his rifle
at her, and ere she had time to say
God have mercy on me!' he LODGED
the fatal bullets in her body. She liv.
ed but few hours afterwards.
This, as we said on Tuesday, wa
on the 10th of June, 1887. He fled
The authorities of the state offered re
ward for him, and he was taken in tn,
state of Alabama. He was sent bacl
to the districtJail of Edgefeld. From
this he managed to escape before tn
time Of his trial came on, and made hi
way through Tennessee and Mississip
ri to this city. Here, being an activ'
mechanic, he worked for considera
BILE time with Mr.. Sewell, the builder
and in the construction Of the Nash
Vile Railroad. But though he foun'
employment, he found not peace; tn
canker-worm of guilt gnawed at hi
heart. and the spirit Of a murdered wifi