Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-10-13
For the JouIn d and slntesman.
EHN WWW
Mn. EDITOR:

Mn. EDITOR;
In your issue of Sept. e9d,
there appears an article, the title of which is
"DisgTdeqW Proceedings at Fuaerdk,n
which statement being only partial does in
Justice to the Hands. | trust you will ac-
cord me small space in your columns 10
give the public just and unbiased account
of that truly disgracefu affair
In order TO account for the beginning of
the quarrel II will he proper to state that
MOuslcy's wife is a sister to the Hands, that
she and Mousley did not live happily to.
geher and in consequence of his abuse
and repeated threats against her life, she
separated from him some year or more
ago, and by honest industry supported her.
self and five children, about whom Mousley
cared so little that he provided neither means
to procure food or clothing when well or
medicine or medical attendance when sick.
Once during the sickness of the child,
Mousley visited the house of Patrick Hand,
at whose residence Mrs. Mousley was STAY
ing, looked upon the dying boy with brutal
Indifference, and went away The day sub
seQuent to the child's death he returned ac-
Companied by two of his fellows, imperiously
demanded Of some ladies present who were
preparing for the funeral to be shown the
child, and alterward its clothing. The last
demand could not he granted at the time
did not please him the following day TO stop
the funeral. Accordingly at the appointed
time Mousley came accompanied by one of
hs companions of the previous day and be.
haved in the most savage manner, and bear
ing unmstakable evidence of intoxication.
During the funeral service Monsley had to
be IeprOved more than once for profanity
He doubtless thought he ought not to be
permitted to 70 next the hearsc in the funeral
cortege and hoped to eXasperatc the mother
and her family by swearing lie would 90
there or die Determined TO give no cause
for quarrel at such time, assent was freely |
given; but this could NOT thwart the design |
of one instigated by the devil
The hearso containing the lifeless body of
the child of this inhuman monster, began its |
melancholy march toward the grave Nous |
ley was assigned place Immediately after |
il, but he hesilated to follow; waiting longer
than reasonable time upon him, Alexander
Hand, accompanied by the child's mother
drove on, whereupon Mousley who was
waiting his opportunity also drove on; Alex |
ander halted, again giving him an opportu- |
nifty to take the position il he liked, but he |
would not Again Hand drove on, so also |
did Mousley and Immediately and inten-
tOnally drove against the vehicle of Hand |
cursing and striking inside Hands carriage |
with his whip. Forbcarance ceased 10 be
virtue. Alexander climbed INTO MOusleys s |
carriage and elected him therefrom, mani |
testify doing both him and the vehicle some
injury. Mousley then gave up the contest,
but al the distance of two miles, headed off
the funeral at II cross road and proceeded |
thence to the place of interment in advance |
Of the hearse No doubt an attempt would |
have been made upon the life of Hand at the |
grave yard and perhaps murder perpetrated |
had not Mrs. Mousley tainted during the
melee, and it became necessary to return to
the house to restore her, and thus prevented
collision the second time.
A word of correction to conclude. Pat |
rick Hand did not strike Mousley with n
club or with anything else, and had no
agency in the affair further than to he
spectator to the scene
NJ
BRANDYwINE HID, October 7th, 1865