New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-12-03
MURDER OF A WIFE By HER HUSBAND.


Wells River, VT, and vicinity were thrown into
se of wild excitement BY the commtt Of one ofthe
most dreadful murders on record. The scene Of the
butchery was the little village of WOOdsyie, in the
northern part of Hayerhi, n H., Just opposite Wells
River WI Village. The victim beautiful woman,
some "a years Of age the wife of Franklin s. Wright,
and the murderer her own husband. II is bat few
years since they were married at Wells River not long
after which they went TO Bradford VT, where they
lived six years. In the early part OF Last September
they removed to Woodsville, and in connection with
another family, by the name Of Deming, occupied an
old unpainted two-story house about one-fourth Of
mile from the depot On Thanksgiving Day, Wright
and his family had visited at his fathers distant be-
tween and two miles. The following day, with
his wife and sister he walked over 10 Wells River,
less than mile and after making some purchases,
they returned together soon after noon, talking quite
pleasantly.
Soon after reaching home, he stepped out of the
kitchen into an adjoining bedroom, and laid down on
the bed. About 3 O'Clock he arose, and coming out
told his sister to leave the house forthwith although be
had previously asked her 10 remain all night. She i'm
medately put on her cloak while Wright ordered his
wifes brother who CHANGED 20 be present, TO be off,
and directly sprang upon his wife, she stood leaning
over the stove, attending to the stewing OF few APP
pies. Holding butcher-knife in one hand, he seized
her with the other, and crushed her down upon the
floor as she implorngly exclaimed, Why, Frank,
what do you mean p while her brother sadly deficient
bors Wright stood astride his PROSTATE wife, thrust
ing at her repeatedly with the knife regardless OF tho
screams of his two youngest children twin girls OF
two years and, his sister started for the door, be
bounded after her, and struck her violently upon tbs
back, nearly knocking her down. and cutting through
her cloak and all her under-clothng, wounding her
slightly, although the blade was very dull especially
near the point. She escaped him, however, and ted
toward Wells River, giving the alarm as she went.
The assassin, meanwhile, burst into the apartments
occupied by the family of Mr. Dening the male MEM
bers of which were absent no one being present ex
cept Mrs. ID. and her daughter Mary, the former of
whom ran for assistance and the latter went INTO an
adjoining room and fastened the door. Wright at
tempted to open it, calling on her to let him in, but did
not succeed in forcing the door. IL would seem that
he then returned to his rooms and after restoring
the fatal knife to its accustomed place in the cupboard
he went into his bedroom and tined TO shoot himself
with gum swapping the cap, but missing fire. Soon
the neighbOrs, in breathless haste, gathering
around the house. and villagers from Wells River, but
all feared to 90 in, knowing the desperate character OF
the man. and believing him to have firearms within,
and that he would shoot any who should dare 10
snter On the arrival of Mr. Slack of the Co uck
House." guards were stationed around the building,
and four five men, armed with axes and ptchforks,
went into the kitchen. There the murdered woman
was lying the floor with her feet drawn under her,
her clothes raised above knee and her head rest
ing against a door. Her clothes were saturated with
blood and dark pools covered the floor about her.
Her countenance had very mild and pleasant express
son if her spirit joyful at its release, had left upon
her fair features the seal Of its gadness. The men
then proceeded TO the bedroom, where Wright was
found lying crosswise the bed, with his gun beside
him. file was instantly seized and the gun taken
of. knife was found in of his pockets, and a
bottle of spirits. His captors bound him with rope.
He offered resistance, and assured them that there
was no necessity of combining him. az he did not wish
to escape. He confessed his crime, expressing much
regret and stated n for the deed that has
wife had been crimnally intimate with his elder
brother William, remarking, g should like to have
got one grip at Bills throat.
At various times he bad conversed with his friends in
relation to his domestic troubles stating that he had
caught his wife and brother William together several
times, and said he had talked with William and
told him to keep away, and he had promised 10 do
So IL is a matter of notorety that William seldom
visited his brothers house except when intoxicated,
and on one he had aroused his brothers anger
to such degree that be threatened to kill him. He
had offered similar threats OF violence to his wife, say
nR one night that he would have her life before
morning IL is known that he had a conversation
with bis brother upon this subject some three weeks
before the time Of the murder. This might seem to
accord with what the prisoner said when going TO
ail For the citizens not awaiting the process Of ar
rest had substituted handouts in place of the rope
upon bis wrists, and three men took him IN charge,
and placing him in carriage with themselves, started
for Hayerh Jail just Sc dusk. As they were passing
along the culprit reteratd his statements concerning
his wifes infdelty with much postiyeness saying he
had last her in the act Of incest with his brother
in an entry, about three reeks before. At the same
time he manifested much sorrow on account OF his
fatal deed weeping and moaning bitterly. Tho I'M
happy wife told Mary Deming few days since that
Frank jealous Of her. and she seemed to resent II
as indlgnty.
On the other hand some persons think that the pris
Oners statements concerning his wifes inc0nstaney
were merely fabricated for effect. IL is said that Mrs.
w. maintained an unblemished reputation during
her residence in Bradford while her husband thought
10 have transferred his affections and attentions from
his wife TO another woman, after which he tried to
.FaA frlry h. ha
efforts of his sister; and perhaps this may have some
connection with the late murder OF his wife, and the
attempt 10 kill his sister.
Upon a post-mortem examination, three wounds
were found upon the person Of the deceased. The
fatal wound was in the left breast; the blade Of the
knife used was seven inches long, and one and onehalf
inches in width 1t entered just below the nipple, sew
eing two ribs thence santing downward to the heart,
making an ineision in the side Of il two and 0nehalt
inches long at the base and with maximum depth Of
one and one-haf inches. Her death must have been
instantaneous.
The funeral services occurred on Sunday, and were
largely attended.
The prisoner was born in Ryegate, W., and is a
shoemaker by trade. He rather small. thiek-set
man. very healthy and muscular, and has always
prided himself very much upon his strength and
proves in bandtOhand fights. lie has the reputation
Of hard drinker and for eight or ten days preceding
the murder he almost constantly under the innu-
enee of intoxicating liquor. His disposition u savage,
morose and vindictve bis appearance plainly ind-
Gates. He wac not very industrious, and has no prop
erty for the support Of his four young chldren-the
two eldest boys, Of seven and four respectively;
and the two youngest twins, az before stated. AT
present they find home with their fathers brother,
james.
The public feeling against the prisoner was so strong
that MANY persons proposed lynehing him. instead Of
sending him 10 jail; the better opinion prevailed,
however, and on Saturday warrant was issued, and,
after examination, he was committed TO await trial
next Spring.
EXCITEMENT n TALBOT CoUSTr.-On Sunday last
an incendary letter was picked up IN y. Michaels,