The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-08-02


time, as it has spread about the country
far and wide. No further information,
however, appearing likely to be elected,
we shall even tell what Ue know of the
matter. The following will throw much
light upon the sublect--it was published
in the Picayune fer gears ago:
ANEW HAMPSHIRE MYSTERY.
The remarkable history we are about
to relate, occurred within our own recol-
lection, and near a certain locality in New
Hampshire the exciting event will be re-
cognized and remembered. About two
miles from a small town in the State we
have mentioned the road crossed hill Of
considerable emiuence, behind which a
valley of a mile broad, called by the peo-
pie an interval lay extended. This
piece of land from over-tlllage was worn
ont. and belonged to a man who kept a
tavern on the road side. Near the top Of
the hill, on The side nearest the valley,
was a deep pond-a strange place, it is
UHc, lol SNcIl d tilII1 w tAIol, uul tuS h'-
ture of the ground made a permanent
Judgment of water in the hollow of the
hill perfectly natural. Near this pond
there stood little rude tenement, in
which lived woman unknown in the
neighborhood, and looked upon with
great distrust and suspicion. She had
little girl with her, child Of five years
old, whom she called her daughter, and
who was her only companion in the hut
ig which she lived.
A farmer who resided upon the out
skirts Of the town, upon opening his door
one morning, discovered this poor little
girl, bareiooted and ragged, crouched be.
meath the cave Of the house, and seeming
~ very much terrified. When he ques-
toned her, she said she had come TO tell
him something dreadful, but she feared
her mother would kill her for doing so.
%, good sir she said Il :hnk it is
right that should tell you, for it is some
thing very bad, but my mother will kill
me if you tell her
The farmer quoted the child's fears,
and then learned from her the horrid re-
lalion that her mother had last night mur.
dered and robbed traveller who had stop
ped at her house. 1t had stormed des
perately during the night, and a strange
man, she said had come to the little lone
~ hut looking for shelter. lie had gone
to sleep, stretched upon the floor before
the fire, and, hearing groan in the night
she woke mp and saw her mother killing
the stranger with knife. She lay still.
in great terror, and saw her wretched
mother take money from the mans peck
cts and hide it, then drag the body into a
narrow space behind the chimney and
cover it with the brush wood used for lu-
ell, after which the miserable murderess
crcpt into bed by the chld's side. The
poor girl couId not sleep, and at the first
peep of morning she saw her mother rise
again, drag the body from behind the
chimney to the pond at the back of the
house, tie stones to it, and with a long
pole force it down into the thick mud at
the bottom. Terrified, pale, and almost
speeches. with fear, the little glll fled
from her miserable mothers habitation,
and ran mile and half to the farmers
house to relate these hOrrid details.
OF course the alarm was instantly CIV
en-, and a terrific excitement flew through
the town and among the neighbors for
miles around. An early hour in the
morning found consmbles and large
crowd of persons assembled at the wo
mans dwelling. The unhappy wretch
instantly turned pale and exhibited every
sign of guilt; first refusing the Officers
admission, then forcing herself between
them and the space behind the chimney
as if eager to rctard investigation, but still
vociierously asserting her innocence. An
officer got behind the chimney and pick.
ed up large knife, which, together with
the floor around, was newly clotied with
blood; but the woman continued InsO
lenlly to deny her guilt, and accused the
child of lying, in revenge for having beer
whipped the night before. This rash as
serion instantly confirmed her guilt lo
it was quite evident a child Of five year,
old could never invent such a story, ant
the burst of Indignation against the moth
er for her unnatural charge told the strong
feeling that was already awakened agans
her The girl was still overcome witt
terror and KEEP, in awe by the mother:
frowns, so tina, it required long persua
sion and promises Of protection before
she would reveal where the money wa,
hidden. At length she pointed to. the
spot, and the sum OF thirty dollars was dug
up, the miserable amount for which fe
| ,,,la damon L,1 I,unrhaI 4, human holm,