Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-06-14

| TRiGgpY on LONG isLAND.-Mr James Wick
ham and his wife. and a cOlored boy, were brutal
~ murdered on Friday night the 2nd inst, at his
! farm at Cutchogue, Long Island Mr.. w. was
f,rmerly of the firm of Wiclham s. Corwin, gro
GERS. in New York, but had retired from business
with considerable fortune. A man named Mich
olas Banc, formerly in his employ. is supposed TO
have been the murderer, as two servant girls who
slept up starts, heard Mrs. Wickham eXclaim,
.Nichulas, don't kill him, don't kill him." Up
on this the girls, surprising that Mr. Wickham
was being murdered, gotout OF an attic window
and fled TO the nearest nelghbors aud gave the
alarm The house was immediately visited. and
| presented horrible spectacle. Mr.. Wlckham
| iay welterng in his blood. his head cut literally
to pieces, and apparently in the last gasp of exis
tence. Mrs. Frances Wickham, his wife, was
dead The negro boy, about fifteen years old.
who was living in the family. was also beat and
cut about the head to such an extent that he can
not survive his injuries. The deed was COM
mitted with post axe. As nothing in the house
was carried away, it is supposed the murderer
sought to be revenged upon Mr. w. for dscharg-
inr him, and determined to murder his whole
| family. He some time since desired 10 marry enc
of the servant girls but, on her refusing to have
him, swore vengeance against her.
Bane was captured on Monday morning in
Hermitage swamp, about eight miles from Cut
chorue. where the murders were committed. 1t
is said that the inhabitants OF the township had
turned out in body to hunt the villain, and when
they found him they could scarcely be restrained
! from hanging him TO a tree. lie had cut his
throat with the intention OF committing suicide,
and was weak from the loss Of blood. lie was
! found lying partially covered up, among some
brushwood, in swamp. He was placed in the
custody of the sheriff of Suffolk county, and taken
| 10 River Head, the county town, where he was
locked up for trial. Mr.. and Mrs. Wickham
were buried on Monday afternoon.
The examination Of Bane took place on
Wednesday. He said he was not guilty and re-
peated'y interrupted the witnesses. during their
ate nents and at times laughing aloud. He had
previously confessed his guilt in presence Of a
magistrate and the physician, but now denied it.
/ DEATH FROM HrpRorHoBTA.1John L. Cook
son; young married man in Cincinnati, was bit
on the ep abuut nine weeks since by dog, but
he thought little ofj,it until Thursday evening
the LIST Inst, .whesEhea felt unwell and retired to
bed. The night, however, was almost sleep
less one interrupted ny horrid dreams and nervous
| starts, and early in the morning the first symp-
toms ofhy drophoba made their appearance. Not
withsiauding prompt medical attendance, he was
soon in commissions. 10fnling at the mouth, cast
ing himself upon the ground, and endeavorlng to
tear his flesh, allthe time moaning pltcously.-
He appeared, however, it is said, to be conscious
of his dreadful situation, and earnestly entreated
the Mortified spectators to keep away, lest he
might involuntarily do them an injury He was
tied down 10 the bed. but he succeeded in break
ing the cords, until, finally, six strong men hold
ing him down, chloriform was administered 10
him, under the influence Of which he slept for
half an hour. When he awoke, about o'clock
p. NJ, it was bat to bfsaibe his last. few con
vusive gasps and nervous twilchings, and the rig
id features and motionless limbs proclaimed that
his sufferings were al an end. The dog, which
10 still alive, it is said has bit man named John
son, and several Others His owner should be
made to suffer The scveresl penalty for permitting
him to run at large. An action for damages is to
be instituted.