The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1858-04-20
4 Correspondence Of The New York Times.
WArrRrowN. NY. April s. ls5

WATERFOWL, n. K, April 5, 1858.
The inhabitants Of this place have had twt
rather exciting topics on their tongues for th,
past few hours, the first relating to shocking
affair in the adjoining town Of lie Roy; the
second TO another affair not SO shocking in oul
own neighborhood.
4 The first il, as learn by actual personal in
vestigation, some What thus: A farmer named
Daniel Comstock has been living with his four
little daughters, Mary, Maria. Colona and Cora,
alone in his house, which is located fourteen or
fifteen miles from here, on what is known as
the Philadelphia Road. His wife has been ab
sent some two months, in Auburn, under medi.
cal treatment Last Sunday night, aboat nine
l O'Clock, it was discovered that the residence Of
Mr.. Ccmstock was in flames, and before assist
snce could be rendered it was burned to the
ground, together with its FIVE inmates! It
would seem from the position Of affairs as
found them to- day, on the ground. that Mr.. Z.
and his four daughters (the eldest of whom was
only ten years. we're all asleep together in one
| bedroom, in corner Of the house. The first
indication they had Of the fire was, probably,
| not until the building was full Of flames, for it
is apparent the fire "took" from keg Of ashes
in the wood-house, which is some distance from
the bedroom in question, and, in burning it's
way to the bedroom, it must have enveloped
every thing in flames. Rushing in the darkness
forth from the bedroom, the frantic children
flew in different directions, blinded by the
| smoke and fames while the unnatural father,
who loved his money more than his oF-pIing,
ran up stairs to get his box Of valuabes, while
he might have easily opened his bedroom win.
dow at the outset, and placed himself and chill.
dren out Of danger-tor the bedroom was on
the ground floor. But, alas for human frailty
his miserly habits ruled him, and his bla k
ened bones and ashes we're found, after the FIRE,
lying across his box in the cellar, where he had
fallen.
As If this affair we're not sufficiently shocking
in itself, we are compelled to turn to the poor
wife, who, away in Auburn, is contemplating the
happiness Of her little ones, and the prospect Of
speedy reunion with them. Before left that
vicinity, to return to Wateriown, tonight,
letter was placed in my hands, which had just
been received from the poor woman, addressed
to her husband, and dated at Auburn, last Fri
day. | extract for you these portions:
MY DEAR OsEs At HoME: You will all be
surprised, and trust, like me, you will be joy
fully surprised, when tell you that am COM
ing home next week. should
have started this morning, If l had an answer to
the letter that sent on Tuesday last. feel as
if | cannot possibly wait till it comes.
am not strong enough to endure much, though |
am gaining. am very much excited with |
the prospect Of going home; hope shall get
calm before start. | think ! see you all look |
ing very happy. my dear children, when pa
reads this to you. Be good children, and |
hope before another Friday noon to be with
you. Your affectionate mother, A. NJ. c.
Alas. alas! for this poor woman, when she |
learns the fate Of her "dear children" and real
Zes that alter all she is alone in the world -
May God pity and strengthen her.
The second topic Of which spoke is more
agreeable to dwell upon. Early on Sunday
morning, three prisoners, named Wilson Eddy, |
Missile ana Ward, Dy feignng the sickness Of
one Of their number, go; the ailcr at this place,
Mr.. Baker, in their power, gagged aud bound
him. and locked him in a cell. This done, they
robbed him Of his money and the keys Of the
prison. and were calmly taking their leave when
they were drought up standing" by beholding
the jailor's little wife pointing at them through
a railing loaded revolver, and calmly inform
ing them that she would put bullet through
the first man who attempted to come forward.
A conversation like this followed:
Prisoner-The devil you will! You don't
know how to shoot it.
Mrs. Baker-Try it and see if you like it
have been practicing with this pistol for the
past few days, and promise you will Kill the
first man who comes forward
Prisoner--Well. if that's your game, we'll be
quits with you. Now, take your choice, young
woman-ether let US pass out in peace, or sub
init to have your husbands brains knocked out
against the walls of the jail. Which do you
like best? Perhaps that won't be gay, nor moth
ing, jus. to see him laying out there cold and
stiff, with his brains laying around. Ila! ha
-d-d pretty picture, amt it? D-d pretty
wife you are, amt ye, TO get your husband kill
ed? Come, now, what dye say? Let us out
and it'll be all right-won't ye? And the
speaker moved forward STEP.
Mrs. Baker-7Ae first man Who steps oser that
sill dies,
And there that brave woman held those men
at bay for something like half an honr, until
help came, and they we're driven into their
cells.