, 1862-07-03
THE WHEELING MURDER.
a Cold.b1ooded and Brutal Murder.

the scene Of the late fearful tragedy, has fur
nished Us With full particulars Of the murder
which can only be regarded in the light Of 3
cold-blooded and savage atrocity without q
shadow of excuse, either legally or morally,
and marked by an unfeeling conduct and cold
unconcern upon the part Of the murderer,
which stamp him as q man but little removed
from brute whatever may have been his an
tecedentE.
William Hopps and his wife Martha Hops,
were united in marriage in 1889, at the town
Of Pawpaw, Lee County, III. They resldedat
that place short time, and then removed to
Wheeling, where, from . small beginning,
they amassed considerable wealth, secured a
farm Of 800 acres, Well-stocked, and probably
the finest in Cook County, erected an elegant
brick farm house, handsomely furnish
cd. They have had thirteen children,
seven girls and six beys,-of whom
three hare died. His wife was q very quiet
industrious, Scotch woman, loving her hus-
band most affectionately, and managing the
domestic economy with rare tact. He Was
taciturn, reserved man, but highly esteemed,
end enjoyed the confidence Of the communi-
IL Of which, probably, he YVES the most PROM
inent member. Year bE year this wealth IT,
creased, and apparently their happiness, but
some ten years since trouble arose in the
household.
The husband unaccountably and without
the shadow Of a pretext was seized with G
sudden ft Of jealousy, and accused his wife
Of inproprleties with other men, although
unable to single out any one against whom to
direct his suspicious. The wife, conscious Of
her innocence, paid little heed to bis insane
accusations. The matter was dropped for
time but again broke out, and this time was
accompanied with blows. The wife left the
house and went to her brothers in : VI Paw,
where she remained for three mo tbs, but
band that he would do better in future H.
minded his promise but ashort time, aud from
that time until the present he has frequently
accused her and abused her, and she has left
him upon several occasions, unable to stay
with him SO bitter WIS his jealousy.
On Monday afternoon last, Hops had been
to mill and returned about dusk. His
wife vas in the garden He approached her
and commenced abusing her and struck her.
She made 10 reply to his brutal treatment, but
went into the house. Hefollowed herand ex-
pressed regrets; tired Of these regrets she told
him she did not wish to listen to him At this
he became suddenly enraged, and drawing q
large knife from his pocket With blade four
inches in length, he sprang at her. His
daughter Mary, who was in the room, at
tempted to save her mother, but in vain, The
infu1iated monster plunged the knife into her
abdomen and the unfortunate mother fell to the
closed the knife. put it back in his pocket,
and sat down at the front door as if nothing
had happened.
The neighbors alarmed by the se:eams OF
the woman and her children, came rushing to
the house and asked her VI bat was the matter,
to which she replied, ''Oh! nothing The
daughter Mary came out and took them into
theroom where the victim was lying on the bed
in extreme agony. She made no accusations
against any one, but the daughter said her
| father had killed her. Upon questioning him
| he acknowledged the deed, told the neighbors
| that he was perfectly rational; that he intend
| ed to do it, and he should do it again that
| his wife WAS hateful and treated him unkindly,
and that he was perfectly aware of what he
had done. The neighbors placed guard over
him and sent to this city for the Coroner and
! Sheriff.
| The jury returned a verdict in accordanc.
with t. facts, and the Sheriff took the mur
derer in custody and has lodged him in jai1
| where he will await trial for his brutal aud
| co1d-blooded act.
20" a letter from the Warden of the Peni
tcntiary to obyiate necessity Of being there al
| one O'Clock p. N. for admission, as is state6
in some Of the Joliet excursion advertise
| ments:
ILLINOIS STATE PESIrEST1ART,
| JOLIET, July /, 1859.
| Mr.. J. z. RowLE9-Dcar Sir: Yours O
the 30th is at hand. And in answer will sa,
| that We have concluded not to work the pris
oners on the afternoon of the 4th and there
fore it will make no difference to us if FOL
defer your visit until two OF three o clock il
the afternoon
| JAMES CosaDos.
HONE FOR AGED FEMALEs.-The month";
! netting Of the Board Of Managers will b
held at the Home, 157 Fourth avenue, thi
(Thursday) afternoon ct three o'clock;
E. F. DICKINSON, Sec'y.
CHICAGO LODGE No. IS I. O. 0. F.-Au O.
I 6cers and members are requested TO meet i
their hall on july 4th, at 9 T. n, to take pal
in the celebration. By order Of the Lodge,
S.V. DHARE, Secretary.
i Special Notice.
1t must be specially understood By all bodies i
lending to join the procession, that they must |
prepared to be in their respective divisions I
9o'clock, as the procession will move precisely
ten o'clock. G. S. HCDBARp,
IT, Chief Marshal.