The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-03-10
sRoekIHs TRAGEDY.
A Son In a Fit Of Insanity Beats
Out his Fafher,s Brains.

F.s,#L,. = p. III Et -.--.-- 81
From the Boston Herald. q.
The quiet community of Concord, Mass,
were terribly shocked on Saturday morn
ing last by learning of terrible murder
which had occurred in that town tho night
before, and of which we have cleaned the
following particulars. ~
Z William Rice, farmer some sixtv vears
of age, lived in comfort and Retirement
with his wife. They had a son named
Warren, an athletic fellow, twenty-six
years old, who had been for some wears
insane although only at periods..and- :
his mania always induced him to commit
deeds of violence. Two or three wears
since the son formed an attachment for a
young lady in the neighborhood, which
was not participated in by the object Of q
his affection. Finally he became incensed
at her refusal to marry him, and he pro-
cured a gun which he loaded with the
avowed determination of putting an end
to her existence. Fearing that his threats
might be executed, the authorities had
Rice confined in the lunatic hospital at
Worcester. He remained there, however,
but short time before he became appar-
emily sane. He was released, and ever
afterwards relinquished pursuit of the lady
mentioned. But he formed an attachment
for another woman, which was by her re-
ciprocated, and the twain were united in
wedlock. They lived happily together,
however, but short time, and were then
divorced. Subsequently Rice nourished
passion for third lady, who, like the first,
had no liking for him, and did not encour-
age his suit in the least degree. Again he
became incensed, procured q dirk and q
pistol, and threatened to put her out of
the way. Again he went to the asylumat
Worcester, where he remained this time
upwards OF year. Finally, his mania
having apparently subsidized, he wrote a
very penitent letter, promising to reform
in his ways, &C., and he was again liberia
ted. This was not a long time ago, and
Rice has since spent his time at home, or
whereabouts. ..,
About six O'Clock on Friday night last,
young Rice entered his fathers house,
where were seated ct the table his father
and mother. He had in bis hand an iron
harrow tooth, with which he attacked the
old man and beat him. furiously over the
head, until he was senseless. He then
threw him down the cellar stairs His
mother being very much terrified screamed
"murder! The son turned upon her
and placing his hand over her mouth,
threatened to kill her if she did not re-
main quiet, or if che revealed what he had
done. She, finding her life in great geop-
ardy, had recourse to her wits to preserve
it. She suddenly thought of plan, and
Immediately assumed calm mood, and
talked to him some two hours. During
this time she adopted the plan of coincid-
ing with and unfolding him in what he
had done. She suggested, that having
killed the old man they could divide the
property and manage it themselves; also
that he 60 to the neighbors and tell them
that he had fallen down stairs and killed
himself While, this conversation was
going on the groans of the old man
were heard below stairs, and the iend.
ish son went down and beat him
again with stone or some other
heavy implement, until he was apparently
lifeless He then went out and informed
the neighbors. They came and when it
was apparent from a large hole in the
fathers head-large enough to insert ones
fist-that murder had been committed,
the murderer was arrested and confined.
After confinement, Rice insisted that he
had done no murder, but that the old man
had fallen down stairs and killed himself.
His insanity is very apparent On Satur-
day coroners inquest was held, and the
facts above mentioned were developed"
The old lady appears to have evinced
great presence of mind. 1t appears that
some three weeks since Warren took $50
from bis fathers pocket and cleared out
for fortnight. After he had killed his
father and put bis hand over bis mothers
mouth to keep Ler from crying out at the
door, he demanded two or three hundred
dollars that he understood the folks had
somewhere, which she consented to give
him. The murderer up to yesterday af-
ternoon persisted il the story that his
father fell down stairs, and yesterday morn
ing told Mr.. Staples, the jailor, that he
wanted to see his fathers body before it
was buried-a request that was not COM
piled with. ..-r. .