The Texas Republican. [volume] (Marshall, Tex.) 1849-1869, 1852-04-03

Our city was thrown into great excite
mcnt this morning. by the preparation %
one of the most awful tragedies we have
ever been called upon M journalists To re
cord. The facts, so far as we could asccr,
tain, are as follows:
About half past five o'clock this morning
fire was discovered issuing from the upper
story OF a small brick house in Maiden.larc
one door from East street, occupied SONS
time past by n man named James White,
boo,nalscr. The tircmen and police were
promptly on the ground and succeeded in
coniining the ire TO the part of the house
where i, originsied No one appearing in
the house ut the time of the fire, and Il,
being known that ]; was occupied, some
uncanness was felt ms TO the tate OF the
inmates, aud after the flames were subdued,
some Of the police assembled to the upper
story. where u most awful aud horrid spec.
tacle met their sight,
The bod, of White was found lying on
the floor, with his head nearly severed from
the body. lis throat being cut from ear to
ear and few feet from him. near the
hearth was found the body Of his daugh
ter, about fifteen wears of age. The body
of his little son, about two years old. was
living on the bed. The throats of the chill
drcn were also cut, and their bodies black.
encd and burnt almost to a crisp by the fire.
The bodies were still warm and smoking
from the effects Of the fire, aud. Ms soon rs
circumstances would admit, were removed
to a stable adjoining. 1t WAS found, upon
examination, that the little boy, in addition
to having his throa! cut, had his brains
blown out bv pistol The whole affair
seemed almost too dreadful for belief, aud
had not the evidences been lying before
them, the spectators might well have doubt
ed if any one could exist 30 hardened as
to pcrpe,rn,e decd so horrible.
Coroner Hooper was called on TO hold
an inanest upon the bodies, and from the
evidence elected. the jury rendered yer.
diet that the deaths OF the deceased were
caused hy having their throa:s cut by u
shoe knife. in the hands of James White.
while probably laboring under an attack
of dclirium tremens. he having previously
il is supposed. set fire to the house. This
appeared to be the only conclusion TO which
the Jury could arrive, The knife was found
living on the iloor and was shown to the
Jury. A pistol was found afterwards, which
was used, ii is supposed on the boy, the
back part OF his head being greatly frac'
tured
This is a most horrible affair. and Is af.
other warning against a too free indulgence
in Intoxicating drinks. White, It appears,
had been what Is called " free drinker "
for many years, and while under the effect
of liouor would abuse his wife and family
in bad manner To such an extent had
this been carried of late .ha' his wife, being
ON the eve OF confinement was induced to
leave him about two weeks ago, and went
TO reside with her grandmother, where she
now lies no, expected to live, The girl
was LEFT with him in order to take care OF
the house and cook hi. meals. The mother,
it is said, on leaving h'o, took with her The
Youngest child, the boy, and yesterday
White went to see his wife, and induced
her TO lot the boy return home with him,
promising to take care OF him. lie was
probably at the time medtsling the deed
which has filled every one with horror
White was about thirty five or forty years
old.