New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-03-31
MURDER IN PORTSMOUTH.

The Portsmouth, ~. H. Chronicle contains the psr-
tculars of horrible murder which was committed In
that city on Sunday evening. We condense the fol-
lowing account from that paper:
1t appears that Mr.. Daniel II. Spinney, With HE
wife. Lad taken tea at the houe Of Nelson N. Down
ing lat Christian Shorel, who is cousin OF Mrs.
Spipney Early in the evening, difficulty arose be-.
tween the two men, in which Downing, who had
been drinking was the aggre ssor. and in which he
was overpowered. Spinney, with his wife, then eft
the ouse ami the threats OF Downing thss ne would
shoot their They started for their home, on Whi'es
Road and Downing was seen to leave his house with
gun. -
Soon after = O'clock, when Mr.. Spnney aud hi
wife were opening ths door Of their house, = IN wac
fred from the opposite eide of the road and Mr.. Spin
ney in eCistely exclsin ed, am shot; my God he
has shot Sarah.' Mrs. Spinney fell dead inst snty,
buckshot having entered her braln Mr.. Spnney was
shot through the arm.
Downing Immediately Ian toward the wood, bu.
returned to his home little before midnight. and
errested and placed in Jail. He sand be rad $40. At
Spipn.y, ard hoped he should have another chance.
Downing IL not far from 10 years old and has wife
and Elk children He is peacesble man enough when
not Ill der tue influence of liquor. Mr.. Soinney was
born ard brought up in Pat'mouth, is lrmoer'
dealer, ard has fine estate about mile GU. OF the
city, the paDkroad. lie is said to be quite wealthy
His wife was 30 years ofsge.
Special dispatches TO the Boston papers say
The CoroIeIs inquest on tie body o. Mrs. Daniel
Spinney, who was murdered on Sunday evening "
NelsOn Downing, adjourned MONDAY evening a. .
o'clock till tomorrow morning at O'ClocI, after the
examination of ell but two Of the Witnesses The In.
quest was he'd by Acting Coroner john Bennett, and
the jury consisted Of Augustus jenkins, Phineas
Nichols apd Horace Webster. Enough evidence mas
already been received to irsurs the commta of Down
irg after has been given at hs examination, which
will probably take place TO morrow. Samue! spnney,
brof er 10 tie husband of the deceased was the prn
cipal tres and testified that Downing he would
XII S,iurey We visited the scene OF tie murder
this evening, and aLo the murderer in jail. Tue
door ard fence Of SpiLneys house are msrked with
shot holes. Spinney is wounded in the arm by toree
shot and in the face by fall Downing lies 10 stupid
state and terribly bruised in the face, % and sb-
doInen tie fleets of the ssuhie. He admits ha. he
was intoxicated, and says he intended to give Spnney
charge in the legs out Of revenge but intended no
murder Splnpey disclams having given HIN any
rroyocation. Downing will probably waive An exam
ration We understand there ia DO foundation Tor the
rumor IL ct Down:ngs Jealousy caused the qasrrel.
There is much excitement in the city. Downing
was captured in the privy OF his own house. The
fight at DowniDgs house before the shooting must
have been severe, both he and Spinney are much
scared and bruised. Downing was reported 10 Lave
concealed weapons, but the only thing found on Dis
arrest was a brandy flask, Uat most deadty Of an
pocht-pistois Mr.. Spnney was go mich wounded
that he faiuted from loss Of blood Do~eing has
ALWAYS been esteemed, at least full as hIghy az
SplnDey.