New-York daily tribune., 1858-03-05
BLOODY TRAGEDY.
ALLEGED WIFE MURDER.

ARREST OF TIE SlSPECItD IERPLlkAlOH.
Yesterday morning about 10 o'clock bloody tragedy
occurred in the negro tenement house in the rear OF
No. las West Tweny y-eighth street, which resulted in
the almost instant death Of Mary Ann Hilton, other
wise known as Mary Stevens, colored woman about
80 years of age she having been shot in the LETT eye
by heavily loaded single-baeled pistol said to have
been in the hands of William Hilton (coloredl, her
pued husband
In December last Hilton leased apartments 10 the
house in question for himself, wife aud little girl
about four years of age. Their near neighbors say
that they have lived pleasantly together, with the ex
ception of slight misunderstanding occasionally.
According to information received from Hilton how
ever bis wife became jealous of him recently, in con-
sequence of his familiarity with colored girls in
the neighborhood. He denied the allegations, which
did not prove satisfactory, and Hilton states, they
talked about separating. According to his story, he
packed his things into a carpet bag on Wednesday,
and told her that he would 90 and live with his
brother. She demuned to this arrangement, and,
taking the bag from him. said, if there was 10 be
separation, she would leave him. Thus matters stood
till yesterday morning, when according to the appear
ance of the room where the bloody occurrence took
place Mrs Hilton prepared comfortable breakfast and
placed the same on the table about which they seated
themselves, she being stool Immediately behind
the door. While so arranged, Mrs. Hilton was shot in
the left eye, and falling from the stool against the
door must have expired almost instantly. large
quantity of blood flowed from the wound aud ran over
the floor Several persons in the house heard the re-
port Of the pistol, and in few moments aiterward saw
Hilton rushing down stairs in his shirt-eeves without
hat and barefooted evidently in great state OF ex-
element In this condition he up Seventh avenue
10 Thirysecond street, where he rushed into the
house Of some friends, and, changing his clothes, left
at once.
The news Of the murder spread rapidly and the
Twentieth Precinct Police went in pursua of the al
legged murderer under the instructions of Actlng-ln-
spector Curry. The police weree close upon Hilton
several times, but he managed to elude them, and,
going the ferry crossed to jersey City, as he states,
in search of his mother. About o'clock in the after
noon Hilton returned to the of the tragedy, and
was promptly arrested by an officer Of the Twentieth
Precinct.
On being questioned as to the cause which induced
him TO 50 deliberately murder his wife, he denied IN
the most peremptory manner having committed the
deed and said that she shot herself because he had
declared bis intention to leave her. Hilton further
Gays that while he yet in bed he saw her take his
pistol ard fearing that she intended to commit suicide
lie leaptd out of bed, but before he could reach her
she placed the muzzle of the pistol to her lett eye
ard fred. This story, however, is very improbable,
he could not her movements at the table while
in bed, az he slept in another room. His subaequen;
conduct also goes far to contradict his theory, tor
she had taken her life, there was no necessity OF
bis running away changing his clothes, 40. Hilton
further denies being the husband of the deceased aud
says her name is Mary Stevens, but admits hav-
ing lived with her as his wife for year or two.
Her husband, he says is a seaman, and is now absent
on a voyage TO NeV-Orleans. However this may be
they have been known man and wife by their neigh
bos. She said to have been a very quiet ami
wellbehaved woman, and the Somans clothing &c,
indicated that she neat and tidy. Hilton was COM
mitted to the cells to await the COroners nqustoh
Several wtpesses whom, it is alleged, in pos
session of important facts connected with the mur-
der are also detained till they can be examined by
Coroner Gamble, who is to hold the inquest.
The accused bears bad reputation among the
Police OF the Twentieth Precinct and according to n'
formation in their possession he is associated with
gang of thieves and ruaDs whose headquarters are IN
Church street. Hilton % years Of age, and barber
BY trade The affair has created great excitement
among the colored population of the city. There IS
a mystery about the matter which the testimony may
clear up.