Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1852-03-12
Awful Tragedy in Baltimore.


MURDERS AND SUIcIDE-The Baltimore
! Patriot, Of Saturday, gives the following
dreadful narration Of crime -
Oar city was thrown into great excitement
this morning, by the perpetration OF one of the
most awful tragedies we have ever been cal
led upon as journalists to record. The loca-
ton OF the dreadful affair is IN Maiden Lane, "a
small court running from East to Ajsoujth
street) between Baltimore and Fayette streets.
The facts, so far as we couId ascertain. are as
follows About haii-past FIVE o'clock this
morning, fire was discovered issuing from the
upper story of small brick house in Maiden
Lane, one door from East street, occupied for
some lIme past by a man named james White, a
boot maker. The tiremen and police were
promptly on the ground. and succeeded in con-
Hnn9 the tlre 10 the part OF the house where
1t originated. No person appearing in the
house at the time OF the fire, and it being
known that It was occupied. some Hneasincss
was felt Us to the fate Of the inmates and
after the flames were subdued, some of the po-
lice ascended to the uppe- story, where most
awful and horrid spectacle met their sight
The body OF White was found lying upon
the floor, with his head nearly severed from
the body, his throat being cut from ear to ear
and few feet from hnI, near the hearth was
found the body Of his daughter, about L. years
CT age; the body Uf his little SON. about two
years Old, was lying on the bed The throats
OF the children were also cut, and their bodies
oIachencd anu burnt almost to a crisn by the
fire +. The scene was most appalinr and
those who first gazei upon it, started back
with horror! The bodies were still warm and
smoking from the effects Of the fire. and. as
soon as circumstances would admit, were re-
moved to a stable, adjoining. It was found.
upon examinations that the little boy, ia ad-
dIton 10 having his throat cut, had his brains
also blown out by ii pi- tot! The whole affair
seemed almost too dreadful for belief, and had
not the evidences been yIng before them, the
spectators might well have doubted If any one
could exist, so hardened as To perp tratc deed
50 horrible
Coroner Hooper was called on 10 hold an
inquest upon the bodies, md from the evidence
elected, the Jury rendered verdict that the
deaths OF the deceased were caused by having
their lhroalS cut By shoe knife IN the hands Of
James " bite, while probably aboiine under an
attack OF deiIrIum trtmens-hc having, prevI
ousiy, IL Is supposed, set fire To the house
TINS appeared la be The only conclusion to
winch the Jury could arrive. The knife was
found lying upon the floor, and was shown To-
the Jury. A pistol was found afterwards, which
was used, It Is supposed, upon the boy, the baca
part Of his head beng greatly fractured.
THIS IS most horrible affair, ana is another
warning against too !rae HduigoGcc in iutoX-
icatiug DRINKS White It appears, bad been
what Is called a " free drIakcr" for many
years, and while under the effects Of liquor,
would abuse his wife and family in Il bad man
ncr To such an extent had tbs been carried
Of late, that his wife, being on IT,. eve Of con-