The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-09-17
AN AFFECTING AND TRAGIC
STORY


"John Burke, prisoner, sentenced 10 the
Connecticut State prison for life, for the
murder of his wife, in Hartford, few years
since committed suicide on the night OF the
lst INST. by cutting an artery in his arm,
and died in few hours afterwards
There is very remarkable fact connect
ed with the history of this man, He former
Iy resided with his family on the road lead
ing from Springfield to Westfeld in Massa-
chusetts. A temperate and industrious man,
he possessed beautiful little cottage, which,
from lis neat appearance and the variety of
beautiful flowers and shrubbery that adorned
the garden, and small yard in front of it
attracted the attention of, travellers. Burke.
and his wife were much respected; they had
three children, of whom they were very
fond, and 10 whom each extended every care
of tender parent. One day gentleman
driving by in dashng style, accidentally
drove his carriage over one of the children.
Mrs. Burke saw the occurrence, and ran out
shrieking She seized the chld-in few
minutes il was a lleless corpse, and the
mother almost raving maniac. She faint
ed, but never probably recovered the entire
use of her reason. From this time it was
observed that g loom and melancholy hung
over the minds of the afflicted pair Mrs.
Burke by degrees neglected her duties, and
that most fatal of all resources TO a bruised
heart-a resource too often of many noble
and sorrow-strcken soul-the sorrow drown
| ing, but STORYTELLING draught of the intoxi-
eating bowl, fastened her footsteps TO an
untimely grave Her husband seemingly
more hurt by the misfortunes Of his wife
than by the loss of the child, at length fell
prey 10 the wiles of the King of Destroy
ers. They removed TO Suatford and from
this time their downfall was rapid. Burke
who had ever dotted on his wife with pas
sion amounting TO romance, here encounter
ed and yielded TO that enemy which destroy
ed the peace of Olhello. His wife was
a beautiful and attractive woman, and may
perhaps have innocently been the cause of
those jealous torments that stung the heart
of her husband to madness.
For his violent conduct towards her he
was imprisoned. Being released, in reply
to words used to persuade him 10 avoid the
society of his wife, he said he would rather
die than live without her. He, however,
promised good behavior, yet was again
thrown into prison for the same cause. Al
length he was released on promise TO re-
turn TO Springfield, which promise he made
in pursuance OF an agreement of his wife
TO accompany him. Their goods were pack
ed and put in the boat, when she faltered in
her purpose. He said he would kill bel
aud himself too if she did aot accompany
him; that he could not live without her
and that she should not live absent from him,
and as be thought and feared with another.
She relented mad fastened her preparation;
to depart. Again, however, she changed
her purpose, and declared she would not &C
with him, as she feared her life would moi
be safe. The boat was on the point o.
, starting-an officer.was present TO see thai
, Burke fulfilled his promise of leaving the
city. The distracted man stood for mo
ment almost rent assunder by contendng
, passions, but for an instant only; be seized
knife, and approaching his wife as if tc
take an adieu, threw his left arm around he
neck, and with the knife, cut her throa
, from ear TO ear. He then ran to the docl
and plunged himself into the river, from
which he was taken out apparently lfeless
. By great exertions, his life was resuscitatet
in order that the State might have the glor.
! and honor of putting him to death in a NOR
:, ignominious manner.
I The prisoner personally never denied tn