American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper., 1846-08-18
From the New York True SUM-

AFFECTING AND TRAGIC STORY.
John Burke, a prisoner, sentenced to the
nnecticut State prison for life, for the muir
of his wife, in Hartford, few years since,
ninitted suicide on the night Of the lst inst,
cutting an artery in his arm, and died in
h hours afterwards"
sE'here is very remarkable fact connected
Efh the history ofthis man. He formerly re-
ed with his family on the road leading from
brngfield TO Wesifield in Massachusetts. A
nperate and industrious man, he possessed a
autiful little cottage, which, from its heat
pearance and the variety of beautiful flowers
! d shrubbery that adorned the garden, and
=holl yard in front Of it attracted the attention
i ira vellers. Burke and his wife were much
Bpected; they had three children, of whom
ey were very fond, and to whom they ex-
$nded every care of q tender parent. One day
gentleman driving by in dashing style, acci-
ntally drove his carriage over one OF the chill
len. Mrs. Burke saw the occurrence, and
b out shrieking. She seized the child-in a
" minutes it was lifeless corpse, and the
gother almost a raving maniac. She tainted,
1at never probably recovered the entire use Of
3r reason. From this time it was observed
! lat gloom and melancholy hung over the
inds Of this afflicted pair. Mrs. Burke by
grees neglected her duties, and that most fa-
| i of all resources for bruised heart-a re-
URGE too often Of many noble and sorrow
Eficken soul-the sorrow drowning, but soul
llng draught ofthe intoxicating bow, hasten
| her footsteps to an untimely grave. Her
lsband seemingly more hurt by the misfor-
mes ofhis wife than by the loss OF the child,
| length himself fell a prey to the W lies OF the
ling Of Destroyers. They removed to STRAIT
rd and from this time their downfall was ra-
|d. Burke who had ever dotted on his wife
|ith passion amounting to romance, here en-
|buntered and yielded TO that enemy which de-
|lroyed the peace of Othello. His wife was a
BEAUTIFUL and attractive woman, and may per-
laps have innocently been the cause of those
Ealous torments that stung tho heart Of her
husband to madness
For his violent conduct towards her he was
Imprisoned, being released, in reply to words
| sed to persuade HIM to avoid the society OF
lis wife, said he would rather die than live
githout her. He, however, promised good be-
[ayour, yet was again thrown into prison for
1le same cause. At length he was released on
promise to return to Springfield, which pro-
|aise he made in pursuance Of an agreement ol
| is wife to accompany him. Their goods were
|acked and put in the boat, when she taltered
Ii her purpose. He said he would kill hel
/ nd himself too if she did not accompany him
aat he could not live without her, and that she
[hould not live absent from him, and as he
[hought and feared with another. She relent'
Id and hastened her preparations to depart
again, however she changed her purpose, anc
eclared she would not go with him, as she
cared her life would not be safe. The boa
ERas on the point of starting-an officer wa:
sresent to see that Burke fulfilled his promise
f leaving the city The distracted man stooe
|or moment almost rent asunder by contend
|ng passions, but for an instant only; he seizet
knife, and approaching his wife as if to take
IN adieu, threw his left arm around her neck
Ind with the knife, cut her throat from ear t
bar. He then ran to the dock aid plunged
himself into the river, from which he was taker
but apparently lifeless. BY great exertion, hi
life was resuscitated in order that the Statt
night have the glory and honor of putting
aim TO death in a more ignominious manner.
\ The prisoner personally never denied tn
murder or made any attempt to defend himself
but ON the contrary, expressed his willingness
20 be hung. He was, however, ably defended
loy The present Governor Of Connecticut ant
Charles Chapman, Esq. The sentence OF deatl
was pronounced by the late distinguished Judg
Sherman, at the close of which the prlsone
khanked him and ejury. Though Burke per
konally expressed no desire for life, yet the Leg
bslature having regard to the peculiar clrcum
btances of the case commuted his punishment
ko imprisonment for life. He was sentenced i
h859. His late suicidal act shows that his feel
|hngs had remained unchanged. What palnlu
thoughts must have narrowed his soul as h
hooked back upon the time when he dwelt IN hi
own cottage in the enjoyment ofall that make
life blessed and happy! But when all this ha
departed, and she with whom his own being
was entwined had gone from him forever-ther
were no charms left for him, and maddened a
we suppose he must bass been, no has rashl,
gone 10 his final account