Washington telegraph., 1849-09-12
-gHE TRAGEDY IN MICHIGAN.

THE TRAGEDY IN MICHIGAN.
We day or two since published tel
,soraphic account of fearful tragedy IN
Yorkshire, Michigan, in which MIR.
Kelloqg killed his own son. The Syra-
cuse N. W Journal contains the follow
;no letter from brother OF the deceased,
detailing the particulars OF the horrid
affair:
YoRKvILLE, August 8, 1849.
r. G.. AIuord, Esq.-Dear Sar.: In
compliance with your requst-which was
received this morning. will write you
and endeavor as far as possible to give
the particulars of the horrible affair which
was barely mentioned in my first COM
munication. For some time back father
has acted at times strangely; l had occa-
sionally the idea that he might commit
suicide, but did not suppose he could con-
template such horrid transactions as fol.
lows. He seems to have entertained the
idea that there would soon be famine,
and that he could not live long. lie says
he does not think his sons capable OF sup
porting themselves without his assistance
and counsel; and he was determined to
take his two sons with him.
Tn order to kill William, he detained
him at the store, talking with him until
we had all left He then went to his
desk and wrote two or three letters, which
he desired William to copy. While Will
liam was writing the first, father goes to
the tavern and procures an axe. lie
W ent back to the store-went quick to
the office. and set the axe down behind
William. He could not strike him while
he was writing the first letter. Father
saws that William looked back and saw
the axe, and heard him walk the floor and
groan But the poor boy could not enter
tain the idea that his father would raise
a murderous hand against him. He set
him to copying the second letter, when
he struck him with the back OF the IN
strument on the back of his head, break
inc his skull most horribly.
William fell from the chair. Father
afterwards struck him three times, mang-
ling his head terribly. He shut the door
of the office, locked the store door, and
with the axe started for my house with
the full intent to kill me. l had gone to
bed, but had left the candle burning. He
came first to the bedroom door, and wait
ed few minutes-then went out and
watched at my window until l had eX-
tinguished the light. heard some noise
at the window and got up and struck a
light. He mistrusted [ heard him and
went off down to the bridge, and was
making preparations to plunge OFT and
strike some lower timbers, which would
kill him; but it happened that man saw
him. He asked him if he was unwell.-
Father answered, "Yes-I feel very bad" "
He then started to come to the house.
One of the girls walked me, and said
father acted strangely. l Immediately
went in pursuit of him; ran to the store;
there was no light. l called William,
but could hear no reply. l then woke
man named Ide; and while l was i'll the
yard of this mans house l saw father
walking very fast along the bank of the
miI-pOud. | ran round and headed him.
Ispoke to him. but he ran in the bushes.
AT this time several men were on hand.
He, however, succeeded in getting away
from us all, went up to the headgates and
plunged in. He pitched himself against
a beam in order to make himself sense
less. We were OH the lookout, and
heard him plunge and splash in the water.
Mr. Elded with good deal OF courage
plunged in aud swan to him; he was
then twenty feet from shore, in fifteen feet
of water, and striving to keep his head
under. He was determined to drown,
and it was with the utmost difficulty he
could be got ashore. He kept saying
that he had killed William, and he was
murderer.
We went to the store, broke it open
and found William; he lay in his gore,
the most horrid spectacle | ever saw
He did not die as soon as was expected.
He lived until about two hours since, all
the while senseless and in the most ex-
cruciating pain He is dead and will be
buried on the 10th. Father seems to feel
rather bad he thinks he will not live long,
and thinks they ought to hang him. We
have had jury of physicians, and they
pronounce hlm insane. There will be an
inquest held tonight over William, and
tomorrow father will have legal exam
ination, and some one be appointed to be
his guardian and settle his matters as
soon as possible.
| shall endeavor to have him sent to
some asylum. Yours, truly,
L. G. KELLOGG
BURKING-I'he new editor of the I'm