The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-18
HORRIBLE TRAGEDY.

Surviving Children and her Husband,
and then Cuts her Own Throat, Lying
Down to Die on the Bed with Her
children.
r, ON the kalamazoo (lEcb.) Telegroph.
One of the most horrible and soulsickening trace.
dies has ever been our lot to chronicle took place
at the Oshtemo side creek, IN the township OF
Oshtemo, IN this count, on Sunday night the l2tn
instant The family, which consisted Of Mr.. Alex
anCel Rickard hrs vine and tour children, retired
about O'Clock, Mr.. and Mrs. kcRard occupying the
afge family bedroom and the same bed on the
gf ound noof Ethe and Willie bed in the front hal
the same floor, two otner children (sons, the
Oldest ABOUT fifteen years OF age) a room on the
second floor near the head OF the stairs
About 10 O'Clock Mr. RickaId was aroused by
Mrs. Rickard getting up. On being asked by Mr.
restless ana could not sleep, she would go into
the Iaror and finish some letters which she hal
been writing, Beng IN the haoit of getting up
in the night and reading writing an houf or go
Mr.. RlcGard thought nothing OF 1t and went TO sleep
Some tlmeiatter ne was again awakened by Mrs
she had not got her nerves settled she could
sleep. She SAID she would come to led soon, and
passed from the room out OF doors, when Mr.
Rickard apain fell asleep. About l O'Clock the
eluest hoy was awakened by noise below-a gurg-
hing sound in the hall, and calling TO his mother
asEed her what was the mater. She replied,
Nothing"
some minutes after he heard similar sound
issuing from the same place, and called 10 his
mother, and getting answer, and fearing some-
thing wrong, egot up from his bed and came to
the head of the STAIRS and called to his father several
times, and hearing no answer, he and his brother
started down stairs together. rhe father hearing
thei calls, came from ms room to the door opening
to the hall and found 1t boltcu the side where he
was, and after drawing the bolt entered the hall,
and was met by the two Doys from chamber
The three then passed together through the hall into
the parlor where, upon ia dc the opposite side
OF the room was lamp dlmly burning
On tuning up the lght they discovered the floor
to be stained with blood, ana taking the lamp and
going 10 the hall they found upon the bed Mrs.
kIcBaTo and the two children Ette and WilIe) with
their throats cut from ear TO ear wetering in their
X
The horrors ricken father and children started for
the nelghbors for assistance and wnen they came to
the house they found the bodie, warm, thou IN
lite was entirely extinct. Upon an examination of
the premises il ascertalned from footprints and
her marks that hTs h., after passing out OF the
beOToCm wenl around 10 the window, there entered
the parlor and crossing to the hall deliberately
the throats OF her two sleeping children with
razor.
she then passed back to the parlor, put the razor
TO her own throat and cut it from ear to With
the blood flow ing ON the wound, she then, with her
remaining strength, reaches the bed where the
dered children were and threw hersetacros the foot
of The bed was dripping with blood, and the floor
slippery with the same ensangulned current Inc
tracks of Dloed could be seen in the room above de-
traced either by the blood she had sped or by otner
unmistakable signs. Tie following two OF the
several letters left on the table by Mrs Rickard:-
LETTER TO HER BOYS.
OsHTEMo August I2-My Dear Boys-My heart bleeds
that am far better of than were to i've You have
some OF the heart struggles that have had to
you vii think OF these years from now don't wish to
possible Whe he e ives have been thSnRfa to
have been spared to aSe Of him. but do not feel as
as as b woS have That for mR through S2e
not W wanted Henry You are" are toe odest CON cOSso
1sSnt es %Sst " will rest on
but what wish to say IS that it m your father Goes
you where You may Pc aaght tie love and feaE Godi
lot and yours too woud have been very different; but
cannot & aTays & tell what is for the best I Pqt It. ySTT y
take care of you. How much would give to have the
faat reDroSed d. and may You Wcrhy oS
SIeht snticioaOns nave looked forward Pss to see
no e The fS not s
You go back to Aunt MARGARET; she used to love
S niG own & and at there yod y0q FOR win set S
@ Sne s a give sfs We oSd OE So that sake
may da any ~ station in & e for & yOqs little slender
Wanted aunt Helen to take care of him and Won pc
She would give him Henry, the little LETT me must
half as much good And boys you must remember 1t Is
v
you must Judge from but from their moral worth see
that they use good language and that their actions
right.
to lin; but look wei yourself TO take care of your.
sell: but take the advice OF any thai you have
to think feels an interest in Learn TO be pru
dent and loving 1 hope your Pa will approve and
And now my dear children if there is anything else
mine that you wish 20 keep, take 1t; II Is yours NAV
affairs Of the soul Be wise beoe it is late is the
PRAYER of your heart broken mother With faith con-
sign YOU TO the hands Of God. YOUR MOTHER
LETTER TO HER HUSBAND.
Now Alexander, my poor, afflicted husband what
| would give you little counsel When the last sad
rites are paid TO my remains and those OF our little ones,
family have incurred; then Henry and Jefferson
WS and Ade and S stephen hd
Margaret for their future homesfor they will be better
both have good homes there and what little you feel
disposed 20 call my legacy from my father wish TO be
hope you win do as you said about going aud have
your sister Helen take care of you. II YOU do am
oft been thankful to have stayed with you but that
cannot be trust for your sake and the love she bore
And now, Alexander, want you to remember that
all thropgh our lives and trials have Ioved YOU with
would ave sacrificed every thing that was right to
raised up 10 be men and women But has been other
wise wiled, and II ay God have mercy on you
requested hope - and Si trust YOU win look TO God oI
future aid This Is the prayer OF your bToken-hearted
wlie; and thus VIII leave you with COD,
Alexander when gone you will have time fol
ienecnGn and then you VIII llve perhaps more cIedi
be with you in all trials; within an hour all will be
Oh! Alexander, do not stay here but take my Dool
boys where they have taught them 10 reverence the
sabbath and love and worship Cod l have confidence
quested. Oh! how wish ] could talk lace to lace
Donot forget that even if did not believe yor
would be happier without me, would try and live
1g day y9n VIII think S OF me VIM IN he Son true and g9
80 ''''"' "'' O'D 'Ou 'O"s '''' "'" WIFE
The New Orleans Massacre - Important
l.