Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-10-22
A MAN MURDERS HIS WIFE AT MONDAY
IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS CHILDREN

We have TO record another crime, by which
a wife and mother had been sent 'unanointed
| and unaneaed" to her last home. On Satur-
day, about noon Thomas Higgins, an indus
trions man, who, with his wife and two chill
dren, resides in Windsor opposite this city
went to his house from his work. and ate his
| dinner, After his meal was over, he became
incensed Mt his wife--according to the testimo-
ny of his little son--who was intoxicated, and
hit her upon the head several times with a
| stick or cordwood and piece of cane. He
knocked her down upon the floor kicked her
in the region of the Kidneys and leaving her
upon the floor, went to his work
Ills little boy gave the alarm, and officer
Samuel Port proceeded to the house, where he
found the woman seated in chair, still alive,
but where she soon died. The officer after
putting the corps in charge of some of the
neighbors, went to the Great Western Railway
freight depot, where Higgins was employed
and arrested him. A jury of inquest was sum
moned ut the Town Hall by the Corner DIR.
Casgram when the little son of the prisoner
was examined, and testified to the facts stated
in substance above.
post norton examination was held, by
which il appeared thot the scalp was badly cut
in several places that conclusion Of the brain
resulted from the blows, and that the kick said
to have been given caused the rupture of some
Of the blood vessels The little boy whose
testimony was taken is only years of age.
The only other witness is the daughter, aged 8
years, who ran away at the time the COrOner's
inquest was in session, but who was found
afterwards, The inquest was adjourned until
this morning at 10 o'clock, when the examina-
ton will he proceeded with. The prisoner was
lodged in the Sandwich Jail.
Our reporter conversed with Higgins in the
I ..... . l...a
he manifested the most stolid indifference not
seeming to care anything about the crime he
had committed, or as TO what became of him
self lie had not shed II tear, but when the
post-mortcm examination was being held,
helped to move the body, and assist in various
ways. lie informed our reporter that he had
II great deal Of trouble with his wife on account
of her drinking propcnsities, and then exclam-
ed, ~ couldn't help it," Weare informed that
he also stated that he pushed her over, when
she hit her back against the bcdstead and fell
upon the floor
The scene presented at the house was any
thing but pleasant to person of weak nerves.
The corpse lay upon a sort of bench and was
surrounded by number of women, who were
waling the children were sobbing as if their
little hearts would break; nephew of the
prisoner was crying and repeating over and
over again, ''Why did you do il? how could
you do it?' while the man who had imbrued
his hands in blood seemed but an unconcerned
spectator.
Higgins at one time resided and worked in
this city, but for some time past has been en-
ployed by the Great Western Railway Compa-
ny at Windsor station. He is in his 44th year
while the deceased was about 40 years of age
The children are Mt the house of Higgins, under
the care of the nephew, who with the neighbors
will see that they are properly cared for, until
some disposition is made of the father.