The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-06-02


ed home usually OF half past ten o'clock
later rather than earlier. Armstrong was oc-
ossionally absent from his home for several
days together, on business, it was Tnmored,
for Wilson; and on the Sunday in the first
week Of January 1902, both he and his
wife had been away for upwards OF week,
and were not yet returned.
About quarter past ten o'clock on that
evening the early retiring inhabitants oil the
hamlet were reused from their SAUNDERS by
loud continuous knocking at the front
door Of Armstrong; house; louder and
louder, more and more vehement and i'm
patient, resounded the blows upon the still.
ness Of the night, till the soundest sleeperS
were awakened. Windows were hastily
thrown open, and presently numerous loot
steps approached the scene OF growing
hubbub. The unwonted nose was caused,
it was found, by Farmer Armstrong, who,
accompanied by bis wife, was laundering
vehemently upon the door with heavy
black-thorn stick. Sill no answer was
obtained. Mrs Strugnell, it was supposed,
had not returned from town; bat where was
Mr.. Wilson, who was almost always at
home both day and night! Presently lad
called out that white sheet or cloth oil
some SORT was hanging out of one oil the
back windows. This announcement, con-
6rming the vague spprehensions which had
begun 10 terminate in the wise heads oil the
villagers, disposed them to adopt more ell
fectual mode of obtaining admission than
knocking seemed likely TO prove. John
son, the constable of the parish, a man oil
great shrewdness, at once proposed to break
in the door. Armstrong, who, as well al
his wife, was deadly pale, ard trembling
violently, either with cold or agitation, hest
tstingly consented, and crowbars being
speedily procured, an entrance was forced
and in rushed a score Of excited men,
Armstrong; wife, il was afterwards remem
bered, caught hold of her husbands arm il
a hurried, frightened manner, whlspere'
hastily in his ear, and then both followe'
into the house.
Now, farmer, cried Johnson, as soon a
be had procured light, lead the way VI
stairs.
Armstrong, who appeared to have some
what recovered from his panic, daried a
once up the staircase, followed by the Who'll
body Of rustics. On reaching the landing
place, he knocked at MIR. Wilson bedroom
door. No answer was returned. Armstron
seemed TO hesitate, but the constable at ono
lifted the latch; they entered, and then
melanchOly spectacle presented itself.
Wilson, completely dressed, lay eItena
ed on the floor lifeless corpse. He ha
been stabbed in two places N the brea
with some sharp-Pointed instrument. LII
was quite extinct. The window was opeI
On farther inspection, several bundles, col
tanning many of Wilson's valuables
jewellery and plate, together with clothe
shirts, silk-handkerchiels, were found. III
wardrobe and a secretary. bureau had bee
forced open. The assassins had, it scenes
been disturbed, and had hurried off by Il
window without their plumber. A hat WI
also picked up in the room, shiny, blaC
hat, much too small for the deceased. I'll
constable snatched il up, and attempted
clap it on Armstrong; head, but it was N
nearly large enough. This, together wi
the bundles, dissipated suspicion whiC
had been growing in Johnson's mind, al
he roughly exclaimed,
'Yon need not look so scared, farmer; il
not you that's quite clear
TO this remark neither Armstrong n
his wife answered a syllable. but continu'
to gaze at the corpse, the bundles, and d
broken locks, in bewildered terror and q
constituent. Presently some one asked
anybody had seen Mrs. Strugnelll
The question reused Armstrong, and
said, She is not come home: her door
locked
How do you know that cried the co
stable, turning sharply round, and lookil
keenly in his face. How do you kno
that?'
Because-because,' stammered An
strong, because she always locks it VIII
she goes out
(Which is her roomP
The next to this
They fastened out, and found the ne
door was fast.
Are you there, Mrs. Strugnell!' shout
Johnson.
There was no reply.
She is never home till half-past ten o'clot
on Sunday evenings remarked Amstron
in calmer voice.
The key is in the lock in the inside
cried young man, who had been striyin
to peep through the keyhole.
Armstrong, it was afterwards sworl
started as if he had been shot, and his wi
again clutched his arm with the same ne
1T vous, frenzied grippe as before.
a Mrs. Suugnell, are you there? one
ss more shouted the constable. He was 81
a swered by a low mosn. In an instant Ii
At frail door was burst in, and Mrs. Struxne
D, was soon pulled out, apparently more dec
n than alive, from underneath the bedsteat
l. where she, in speechless CONSERVATION, Ia
lie partially concealed. Placing her in a chat
sr they soon succeeded--much more easily
T. indeed than they anticipated--in restorin
q her TO consciousness. Nervously she glaI
e ced round the circle Of eager faces tina; Ell
of vironed her, till her eyes fell upon Arm
il strong and his wife, when she gave lou
b shrek, and muttering, They. they are ii
:, murderers,' swooned, Or appeared to do 81
Is again instantly.
l. The accused persons, in spite Of their frel
s. zied proteststions ofinnocence, were instan
g ly seized and taken ofito place of securit,