Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-07-13


HoRRID MURDERS IN PrTERsBuRGH, " Y.
Noah Smith and his wife, both over 20 years
Of age. were murdered at Peicrsburgh on Satur-
diy night.-Mr. Smith was farmer, an old
resident ot the town, very quiet lnoiit'nslve
man-and was known To have quite a sum of
money in his house, generally supposed TO be
from $1,000 To $500, and that much Of it VAS
IN specie.
They lived about mile and half Fast of
the village OF Petersburgh on the Williams
Town road. Mrs. Smith was sister of the
father of the Hon. Gideon Reynolds, present
member of Congress from that district. Mr.
Smith was a citizen of high character, and en-
loyed the confidence and respect of the com
munlty. The occurrence produced the most
profound sensation and highest excitement IN
that section Of the county and as the news
spread like electricity, thousands assembled
yesterday at the scene of the horrldtragedy.
No person lodged at the house on the night
of the murder, except Mr.. and Mrs. Smith.
Tho murdered bodies were found about five
- clock yesterday morning. Mr.. Smith was
fdufd rear his barn, short distance from the
house, with his skull broken in. Ii is thought
hun he was called out on some pretence, and
spdlchcd.-The body of Mrs. Smith was in
the house, with a severe wound upon her head
and her throat cut from ear To ear. From
appearances. she was about retiring TO rest
and from this fact il is supposed the murders
were committed about clock in the evening
Ii was known 10 the friends aud neighbors
Of Mr.. Smith, that few days ago he received
$500 or $500. No definite suspicion Is enter
t.iued as to the authors of this horrible crime
-Four hundred dollars were found in the house,
IN thirteen different places, where II Is supposed
II Vas placed to peyent the chances OF robbery
The WIFE Of TIE PREsrnEHT.-AIrs
Maury, an Engllshwoman, in her work des
rriptve of what she saw while IN the United
States, has the following pleasing sketch o
Mrs Pok:
Mrs. Polk Is very well read, and has mucl
talent for conversation. She ishlghly popular
Her reception Of all parties Is that OF a kim
hostess and accomplished gentlew oman. She
has an excellent taste in dress. and both in tn
morning and the evening preserves the subduc'
though elegant costume which characterize
the lady. She Is ready at reply, preserves he
position admirably, At levce gentleman re-
marked, Madam, you have a very gentee
aspmblage tonight" "Sir," replied Mrs
Polk, with perfect good humor, but very sgui
hrantly, d" have never seen it otherwise
O.e NOR ming found her reatlrg. II hlv,
many books presented to me by the writers >
she said,' and | try to read them all at prescn
this is not possible but this evening the auiho
Of this book dimes with the President, and
could not be- so unklnd to appear who'll,
ignorant and unmindiul of his gift" ! wOr,
broach in which was contained the hair OF
nv hY.baud and children, very tastcfuly dis
played. Mis-. Polk carried it to the window
read tho names Of the eleven" compared
their hair, s~d asked many questions abou
=. hnr ,,a,, ~
have put my arms round her neck aud kissed
her.
PAT ASD THE ALPHAGEr.-The following
scene occurred at one OF the private schools IL
this city -
"Ah, Pat Pat'' exclaimed the schoo'-
mistress, To very thick-hea0cd urchin, into
whose brain she was attempting To beat Tia,
alphabet, "Im afraid you'll never learn any.
thing. Now, what's that letter, ch -
Sure, don't know ina am, replied Pat
Z" / thought you recoccted that"
"Why, ina ann"
6. Because il has dot over the top of it,"
"Oc'h, ina am ] mind i, well, but sure
thut' It was a fly speck.
"Wcll' now remember Pat it's l."
"lou MA aml'
''No no NOT L , but l. -
Not ], but vou, ma 'am-how's that"
Not |, but I--biockhcadr'
''Oh, yis faith now ] have it ma am You
mean to say that not |, but you, are block
headl"
'Fooi fool ,''excaimed The pedagoguc,
almost bursting with rage.
'Jist as We Place" quietly remarked Pat,
''iool or blockhead-it's no matter which, 50
long as yeer free to o,cn mp. "-.Notiondi Eogh.
ACCIDENTS on THE FOURTH AT NIAGARA
FiLr.s.-A serious accident occurred at Mia
CARA on Tuesday, by the premature discharge
of a cannon. Three men were injured one
lost an arm, two Others hand each, and one
Of the latter was so badly injured in the side
that his life is despaired of.
Ar MANCHESTER, Nr-By the premature
discharge Of a cannon, Mr.. Albert Jordan had
his left hand and wrist entirely blown away
Mr.. fayeite Bat,lst had part ofone hand shot
oil, and was otherwise badly injured, and it is
feared mortay.
Ar MoRRisrowS, y. J.-Ifenry Williams.
young man working in the Jcrsevman Office.
was shockingly wounded by the bursting of
small cannon, made from a musket barrel. -
Severe wounds were made by the fragments
IN his neck, breast, shoulders, &c, but having
received prompt medical aid il is thought he
will recover. Williams was attached to 1ay-
lor's battery under General Scott, and partici-
pated in all the battles from Vera Cruz 10
ihurubusco, where he was wounded ~ the
les.