Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-08-12
Correspondence of the 1owa City Republican.
HOSR1BLE TRAGEDY IN IOWA-A WIFE
: CUT TO PIECES WITH AN AXE-SUICIDE
OF THE HIISRANn

Correspondence of the lows City Republican,
HOSRlBLE TRAGEDY IN 1OWA-A WIFE
: CUT TO PIECES WITH AN AxE-SUICIDE
. s LIBERTY, johnson Co., July 10, 1857.
You have undoubtedly heard rumors of terrible
outrage committed in settlement on Friday even,
ing last. Living, as do, near the of slaugh-
ter and being acquainted with the circumstances
and the parties, have thought it best to give you
shor: sketch of the same About mile north Of me
there is Tor was) living family by the name of Hurt
consisting OF Hurt, his wife, his wifes mother and
four children. Friday morning Hurt went to the
city for the purpose Of assertanng the truth of the
report in circulation, which was that his wife had
succeeded in obtaining bill of divorce. He came
home little beforce sunset, went to the well, got
drink of water, then picked up and drove his
wife from the house. Overtakng her in the yard he
struck her with the axe on the back of her head
She fell to the ground and he then hacked her up
in the most shameful manner; cut her right arm
nearly off, and sunk the bit of the axe several times
in her back and sides. He then left her dead, and
took after his mother-in-law, who running
through the field to one of the neghbors. She had
got far off that he left her, went into the house,
took some fire. went up stairs and set the beds on
fire. In half an hour the house and everything in it
was in ruins. Two of his sons, young men, were
present at the time, but dare not make the least re-
sistance.
While the house was burning, Hurt was seen 60
ing through the field towards the thicket. About
the burning ruins. Mrs. Hurt was found in pota-
to patch, scnseless. She carried to neighbours
house. and it was arranged to meet at daylight the
next morning, to hunt for Hurt. The search was
short He went about twenty rods to the edge OF
thicket, aud stabbed himself twice with pocket
knife. He was heard crying and moaning all night
by some of the neghbors He had lost his knife in
the grass, and had no other weapon with which to
finish the work of sefdestruction. One man was
dispatched to the city for doctor. He had double
barrel shot gun with him, and in leaving for the city,
he left the Outstanding under the shed. Hurt lett
the thicket in the night, came to the house, where
it Stood pulled off his right boot, fastened it to
pole with his handkerchief ard got water from the
we'll to drink. AS soon as it was light he saw the
gun, and placing the muzze to his left ear, he dis
charged the piece as is supposed with his toes tie
was found lying upon his back, with bis left arm
Hurt was drinking, shiftess, and evidently des-
pirate man. His wife was a Woodworking, industri
Gus woman. The family were left without shelter,
or change of clothes. Mrs. Hurt had lived in con.
slant fear of her life for the last TOUR years. anu SUI
fered thousand deaths
The family formerly lived in the northern part OF
Ohio Some fifteen years ago Hurt killed neigh
Dor of his in drunken affray, and fed to Canada She
remained in Ohio until about four years ago, when
she received letter from him from Michigan, stating
that he had land there and wanted her to sell out and
join him. Her children being anxious to come West
she did So Hurt was in debt for grog and board
bill when she found him. She paid it, for she had
abont 81 500 with her. She bought place here !;
and net seeing any reformation in the man. she Sc
cured the title in her own name. They lived togeh
er as man and wife but short time. He came near
killing her two Years ago. She swore her life on him
and applied for bill He has been living in the
family SINCE terror to them all. She employ
ed Clark 4 Brother to get divorce At her request
wrote them once or twice in her behalf knowing
her. as did, (>he having worked for us several
times when compelled to flee her own home,) l in
formed them of the troublos and they secured the
divorce and her right to the little property she pos
sesSed. But she is not here now to tha.k them for
it for have just learned that she died last night
Hurt was buried yesterday, and she will be this
evening Thus ends the tragic scene.
CAROLINA FEMALE CoLLEGE-The annual COM
of this institution took place on Wednes-
day 22d inst The exercises were opened on Sum
day morning previous with sermon to the gradu-
ating class by the Rev. w. A. McSwain of the s. q.
Conference He spoke from Cornth. Chap. ID
verse IL. His discourse was listened to with mark
ed attention and admirably suited to the occa-
sion.
On Monday and Tuesday the lower classes were
examined in the different branches which their
tention had beer called during the year. The re-
suit was creditabe TO all !; while evEced a
proficiency rarely surpassed. The Conversations"
of the little girls moral, literary and scientific
subjects, which by the way, is a feature never saw
introduced, were wen fecelEcu lndeeu the SpfiSnt-
ly and graceful manner of some and the natural I'M
restrained abandon OF others were really refreshing
Tuesday evening given up to Lecture by
Prof Gillian of the college Those who were fOrtu-
nate enough to bear and understand enjoyed no
doubt, treat. If the Professor hiss fault
speaker, it is that his language is chastc and beau
tul, the mind is drawn from his subject matter en-
tireIy.
Ncdnesday, the Graduating Glass appeared on
the boards. This familiarity with the higher branches
of mathematics, chemistry, geology, mental and NOR
al science, shown by the examination, was suf-
ficent guarantee that they being premature
ly sent forth. Though rgdly questioned they were
prepared at every point. Their compositions too
showed an order of talent unusual in girls so young.
B. low is list of the Class and the subjects on which
they wrote:
l. Miss s. A. Walsh, N c., Nature and Revela-
ton.
q Miss c. l. Dye, S. c., Virtue alone is happiness
below.
g. Miss L. NJ Plunkett, N c., The Warriors
Fame.
4 Miss S. A. Browne, S. c., Hope, the bright
s. Mis- &. L. Dye S. c., Flight of Time
6. Miss S. NJ White, N. c., Chdhood's Dream.
T. Miss NJ E. Walsh, N. c., Literature of the day,
| and Valedictory.
! At night the usual Literary Address was deliver
| ed by Col. w. L. Steele of Richmond. The Colon
81 is we'll known to your readers speaker and
of letters that it is needless to alude to his
effort here. grated audience is the best evidence Of
his The Musical performances of the evening"
by Miss Campbell, Miss Cottroll, Mis- Punkett, Miss
Porter, Miss Dye, and others, were awarded their
full share of praise. They very excellent.
The presentation Of a copy of tho Bible to each Of
the Graduates by the Rev. M. A. McKbben, was
followed by neat and appropriate Address. few
valedctory remarks by the President and the scene
closed. May the College prosper and these annual
| festivities long continue.
VISITOR.