Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-08-11
RUINS DOINGS.
A CHILD KILLED BY IT'S FATHER,
AND THE WIFE BADLY INJURED.
ARREST OF The MURDERER.


ARREST OF The MURDERER.
A murder Of the most atrocious and re-
voting character was committed on We'd
nesday night, about 10 O'Clock. The muir
dcrer was J. N. +. Tucker, editor Of The
BROOKLYN Freeman, but better known az
The advertiser. The unhappy victim was
the son of this man, boy Of about years
old There are several accounts in crcua-
ton, but as yet the matter has not been
regularly investigated, aud IN order not to
lead the public mind esiray or TO create any
prejudice against the wretched culprit we
shall confine our statement TO a recital Of
those facts and circumstances which from
strict inquiries we are disposed 10 believe "a
true. Tucker resides at No. I03 Atlantic
ST.
lie was fornerly a Baptist minister, and
Is married TO his present wife about FIVE
years. BY his former wife he had four
children, who are now living in the country
lie is also a man Of Incorporate HABITS, and
there j. much reason TO suppose thaf~it was
partly, # not wholly, from intemperance
that the present occurrence originated. II
is also said that differences have existed be-
tween Tucker and hiswlfe which have exc t
ed at times bitterness of feeling among
them. On the evening IN question, Tucker
had invited his wife To take walk. She
went out with him, but on returning home
she observed a strange and alarming change
conc over his mind. HIS AIR and conduct
exhibited great agitation. the more singular
as there appeared me- reason for 1t. While
n this state he suddenly drew pistol and
threatened 10 shoot her. Mrs. Tucker had
sufficient strength of body as well as cour-
age to shake off his hold aud get away from
hlm without sustaining any injury. She
went home, but Tucker did not follow he.
lie next proceeded to a drug store kept by
Mr.. DeCamp, and presented pistol at the
clerk, requesting him at the same tile to
an ii. The clerk, equally amazed at the re-
ques, and the manner IN which It was made,
asked him what he meant and was informed
by Tucker that he wanted some cholera
medicine for a person who was Ill IN his
house. Ca further explanation the clerk
saw that he wanted brandy. Fucker then
gave INN wal, which he filed with that
liquor Tucker snatcnel II up and went
away. lie then proceeded 10 his house, but
before going % his own apartment he went
into the noon OF person named Denyse,
who lives IN the same house with hun. Be-
fore entering he room OF the latter Tucker
appears to have drank the brandy. As soon
a. Mr.. Denyso saw him he requested the re-
turn of the pistol which he had lent nm on
last Sunday when going TO the meeting at
the City Hall, aud when Tucker said he
would use IN case Of disturbance. The
pistol, he said, was up stairs, aud he left the
room immediately, seemingly with the lnten
ton of bringing il down.
la a few moments Denyse and another
mAn who boards 10 the same house were
somewhat alarmed by the cries of child,
but they imagined that Fucker was intlct-
ING some slight chlstisement on his son,
winch did not warrant their Interference. -
I Immediately after, however, they were start
I led by a Wild and piercing cry Of" Murder.
/ They instantly ran up stairs and attempted
[ to enter the room but they found Il bolted.
By using great force they bnrsted II open,
when one Of the mpst appalling sights that
can be presented tn the eye OF man was fully
displayed before them The body OF the
chlld, who a few moments before was quiet
! ~ siumbering, and which the wretched faith
er had taken up, was now lying on the floor
in pool Of blooi, with the head almost ais-
severed The mother was also found lying
on the floor at little distance The muir
dercr had one hand on her throat and the
other, grlsplng a razor, was about to nd.el
wounds equally mortal on her. Deuyse an.
his friend made an effort to drag HIM away
and dlsarn him, but before they could d,
this they had to beat him almost 10 a state o
insenslblIty.
The injuries which Mrs. Tucker has re
cewed are not very dangerous.
The above are the principil facts Of this
melancholy tragedy, but further revelations
are necessary To- form a conclusive opinion
as to the guilt of the wretched man. ilu
whole conduct would convey the impression
that he was either under the influence o
drink when he committed the act, or that la
was laboring under fit of mental aliena
ton, which was either natural to him or su
perinduced by intemperance