The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-25
Terrible Domestic Tragedy-A Husband
Murders HIS WIFE and Kills Himself
from the Malone IN. Y.) Paladfum.1

Henry Aeecham, living on the Hopknton and Fort
the town Of Dickinson, Franklin county, Friday
ing the 9Th inst murdered his wife by shooting her with
pistol, and afterwards cutting her throat Having sats
fed himself that he had despatched his victim, he
loaded bis peol and discharged It's contents into his
BRAIN and fell dead the floor his murdered wife,
and which were mainly sustained 1t the Coroners in
quest, epllows-Seme few weeks past Meecham
became Jealous Of nis Wife and i seems hal TOO good rea
weeks previous To this sad occurrence. Mrs. Meecham
returned with two or three of their nve children, TO the
house Of her parents. MeeCham brooded this state
OF things, and at divers times threatened TO shoot
the guilty wife and her paJamour. Mrs. Mcecham be-
came at the earnesness Of these threats, and
three weeks since made complaint to JUS
bce, and Meecbam was required 10 give bonds 70 keep
the peace toward his wife.
had committed second act Of inhdety with yet another
person. which exasperated him that he proceeded at
, once to take bis threatened revenge.
The hoaee Of Thomas Cook, the mother of Mrs. Nee
cham ard where she was at the time twenty
thirty rods of the turnpike, in lonely hollow, and s
nearly baf mile distant from any other habitaton 90
the evening of the murder Mrs Cook Mrs Meecham and
two little children, aged three and half years and
the other ten months, were at home. Mr. Cook and
neiehbors by the name Of Dustin who keeps tavern in
the vicinity Between the hours Of and eight Nee
cham entered the house Of Cook Mrs Cook said to him,
'Good evening, Henry" He made no reply, but imme-
diateIy asked, "Where IN MelissaS"
Mrs. Cook told him she was on the bed getting the chill
desperate and rsmemberns v his threats she
became exceedingly alarmed and has but indstinct
recollection Of what transpred except that she him
towards the bedhat she heard the discharge of
Grearmstbat she saw him drag her towards the door,
and heard the little boy say, Grandma Henry has killed
Melissa he has cut her neck just as he does deer -
Meecham to table at the end OF the and
menced reoadng his pistol Mrs. Cook said 70 him, care
you going to kill me, Henryf' He replied, "No you
have always been good mother 70 me- and good TO my
children, and shall not harm you" She, however,
made bcr escape from the house, and ran immediately
towards tho peighbors TO give the alarm Asshe
was passing the do0vysrd she heard the report Of
the pistol again She however proceeded and had passed
about thirds Of the way when meeting her son. she
sent him back 10 alarm the negbbors Mr.. Dustin and
others repaired immediately 10 the spot Upon entering
the bouse they found both husband and wife extended
upon the Hoor dead and wetering in their gore Ths
infant had crawled 70 the side Of its mother, and
deavoYDg 10 draw from her exposed breast the remaining
drops Of nutrment that nature had elaborated for s
tenance.
The wounds upon tho body Of Mrs. Meecham were two;
one, gunshot wound, entering the left breast inch
and half above the nipple and passing dagonally
through the lung and base Of tho heart passing out
ust At the lower point Of the right shoulder blade tho
other, clean cut the throat, severng the wind
pipe and the left jugular vein The wound Meecham
single ope and entered the skull an inch and half
above the right ear the ball did not pass out Under the
body Of Meecham was found pocket knife tho keenly
sbarpened blade Of which was bloody; near his head,
lying partly behind q low BENCH q double barreled
pocket pistol, both barrels Of which were empty.