, 1863-12-29
TRAGEDY IN LAKE COUNTY.
ILLINOlS.
Murder of a Widow Indy by Her
Tenant.

{Ftom the Waukegnn Gazette. s6th.l
We are indebted to Mr. Pro nty, of the
tic cold-biooded murder Of Mrs. Ruth Bri-
den IA widow lady, who owned and resided
upon farm In that town,) which was per-
pclrated on the morning Of the ed instant,
between the hours Of seven and eight
o'clock. AIRS. Briden has rented her farm
who Inns resided vi lth her, and upon whom
strongly fastens. Ne give tie circum-
stances, preliminary aud otherwise, as they
are furnished to US. Some difficulty has
existed between Mrs. Brfden aud her ten
ness, and she has at various, times cndeayored
to buy cut his interest IN the crops, etc.
About two weeks since, Mrs. Briden visited
her brother-in-laW's, about . mile distant,
leaving her house locked. While gone she
received some money, which, upon her return,
had left in dress pocket In her bedroom
and found her money gone. Mr.. Bell had
been repairing some sheds near the house,
and she Informed him Of the loss Of the
money, and questioned him concerning 1t.
He disclaimed any knowledge OF the matter,
It appears that Mrs. Bsidon had strange sus-
picions that Bell had taken the money, and
This served to widen the breach between
them.
On the morning of the ed instant Mrs.
Brilen, her daughter Almeda, who Is attend
ing school at Waneonda, and Mr. Bel, break
tasted together. The daughter wished to go
to school that day, bnt her mother desired
her to stay at home, but finally consented
that she might 70. Shortly after Almeda
had reached The school house, word WAS
dered.
Between and 8 O'Clock of the morning
indicated. adaughter Of Nj. Morley, = neigh
Dor, heard the cry Of murder, and informed
her father that Mrs. Briden was la11ooing
murder. Mr.. Morley thought that it was
some boys who had made the ontcry and pro-
ceeded with his work: but be finally con-
cluded to go over to Mrs. Briden's and see
the house he found 1t locked and no one to
answer to his call. He then went into the
cow-yard, where he found the body of Mrs.
REiden. To all appearances she had been en-.
gnged in milking, and had MIXED about
quart, when she met her death. Her body
cnt and razor placed In her hand. The side
Of her face and head bore marks Of having
received blows from some fiat instrument
supposed to be the head Of an axe. There
evidently had been no struggle after she re-
ceired the blows.
perpetrutor Of the decd, from the circum
stances above narrated, and from the further
facts that he WIS chopping wood in the door
| yard at the time Almeda left for school, bnt
few minutes before the murder, and that
| tracks about the body were traced to Mr.
orson cadwelps premises, where Bell was
| chopping, and found to correspond exactly
with his.i Bell was ut once arrested. He dis
claimed al knowledge Of the murder, and de-
clarcd his innocence. He acknowledges the
| 1azor which was found in Mrs. Briden's hand
to be his, but processes not to know how 1t
came there
Bell WIS taken before Justice Bangs, Of
Wauconda, on Wednesday morning, for ex-
animation. We hope to haye the result Of
the t1ial before We 60 to press.
?. S.-A Coronefs jury impanneled on the
body Of Mrs. Btiden, returned verdict in
substance that !" the deceased came to ler
death by blow given By some blunt instru-
ment, sud the cutting of ler throat, by some
person to them unknown"
William Bell, the supposed murderer, ap-
peared before Squire Bangs on "Wednesday.
His counsel, Mr.. Williams and Mr.. Thomson,
waived an examination, and he was commit
ted to the county jail, to await the action Of
tbe srYap1 {nrY in Febrrary next