Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1858-07-09
IOWA NEWS.

JEFFERSON 20. BANK VOTB.-Ihe Falrnel0
Ledger says the State Bank Law received
about 700 majority in that county, and the
Free Bank Law 400.
LAND ENrRRED.-Amount Of land entered
at the Land Office at Council Bluffs, during
the week ending June 10Th, 1888:
Amt sold at public sale at
$3.50 per acre, eco acres.
Am'tsold Cash, private entry, 900 's
Warrants, 24,280
Total, 36,340 I"
HsnRIBLs sAy1ArR.--Msrdsr and Suicide.
A man named Ambrose s. Skeeles cut his
wife's throat, at Cedar Rapids, on Wednes
day last, and then stabbed himself in the
neck. Both died in few minutes after the
tragic deed. The parties had been separated
for some months, and Mrs. Skeeles was about
obtaining divorce, which is understood to
have incensed the husband to the rash and
murderous act. It seems to have been pre-
meditated by him, as he had sharpened the
knife during the day and went to the house
where his wife was living for the purpose Of
meeting her. Mrs. Skeeles was in the act of
fastening the cellar door with o paddock,
when Skeeles seized her, threw her upon the
ground, and held her down with his knee
across her body, while he deliberately took
the knife from his pocket, and opening it
cut the poor woman's throat in horrible
manner, nearly severing the head from the
body, and causing death instantly. Then
rising to an erect position, he coolly gashed
his own throat. The Times says:
Skeeles. We understand, came from Lock-
port, N. Y. and although not an Incorporate
man, had an ungovernable temper. While
under its influence he had undoubtedly ILL.,
treated his wife; and her determination to
procure divorce, probably aggravated his
unfortunat disposition to such an exteut as
to lead him to the Preparation of the awful
deed which we now record. Mrs. skeeles,
we believe, has relatives in this vicinity; of
her previous history we have not been in.
formed. Her maiden name was Bulah U.
Vinton. She was much esteemed by her
neighbors, as kind, amiable, intelligent
and good. .natured woman, and her violent
death by the hands Of her husband, has Justly
caused much sympathy for the four orphans
thus left destitute The eldest child, girl,
is about fourteen years, the youngest two
years of age. They were kindly taken in
charge by the neighbors.
Mr.. Skeeles was IS years Of age, and Mrs.
Skeeles 80. They were married fifteen years
ago, and separated three years after, but
again lived together until about seven
months since.
Accnrsr.-We learn that on Monday
last, as two lads were cutting grass with
scythes. near Amboy in this county, one Of
them accidentally struck the other in the
feshy mart Of the thigh with the point of his
scythe. severine an artery, from which he
bled to death in two hours. The name Of
the unfortunate lad was Hamilton Lightner,
about l6 years old Washington Press,
3Oth.
DRowNED.-An lrishman named Rodgers
was drowned at the levee in Burlington, on
Sunday morning: He was riding horse
into the river, and went in too far. In the
attempts of the horse to get out, Rodgers
was put off his back, and drowned before he
could be brought from the water.
SuloIDE.-Nr. VIM. D. Mcbride, an old
and wealthy citizen of Keosauqua, shot him
self on the 26th ult. His wife missed him
at breakfast; search was made, and he was
found in his own barn. Apprehension OF
poverty is assigned as the cause.