Smyrna times., 1866-05-30
STATE AND LOCALS.
Horrible Murder near MiddletOWn.
A MAN KILLS HIS WIFE


On Monday afternoon we received infonma-
ton that Mrs Caroline Armstrong, wife of A.
Peterson Armstrong, living near Mt. Pleasant,
(about miles from Middletown) had been
murdered by her husband. Since then we
have been furnished with reliable particulars
Mrs. Armstrong had been missing since Sat
urday week, 19th but no especial attention
was given to this circumstance by the neigh
bors for several days, as Armstrong and his
wife lived unhappily together, and she had
on several previous occasions been forced to
leave him for three or four days or week at
time. Friends began to make inquiries by
Friday and Saturday, fearing she had commit
ted suicide, of which there seems to have been
some apprehension on previous occasions
Armstrong shared in the anxiety about her.
and telegraphed to Wilmington, Smyrna and
Dover to learn of her whereabouts. He also
insisted that mill-pond about mile off should
be dragged for her body, for the recovery of
which he offered a reward of $50. His SEEM
ing distress caused some suspicion to rest upon
him, as it was unusual He informed parties
that she had taken her best clothing with her
and he supposed she would return in day OF
two. By Sunday the excitement was intense,
and search was made in various directions =
1t was noticed that when examinations were
made about the hOg-pen or stable Armstrong
became very nervous. Some fresh dirt was
noticed about the manure and straw of the
latter place, for which he accounted for by sta
ting that he had filled up hole in the stable
that it was no use to dig there" The
earth was found to be soft about the length o
a body, and further digging revealed the iden
tical suit of clothing he represented she ha,
carried off with her. He was arrested on tn
spot, and on Monday afternoon was conveye,
to New Castle Jail.
Directly after the arrest the body was fount
buried under the hog-pen The skull wa
: fractured, as if with hatchet, and there wer
marks under the throat, leading to the suppC
sitiOn that she had been severely choked TIL
body had the night-dress on. 1t is suppose
5 that the remains were buried first in the stab
2 and removed to the hog-pen for better COZ
cealment Some blood was found in a close
and coat with blood on the sleeve The co
:, Oner held an inquest, and verdict in accor
Il ance with the above facts was rendered
Armstrong is well-to-do farmer, and W
: not regarded as a man capable of committr
such heinOus crime. 1t is stated that he h
i for the last several years been indulging i
o toxicating liquors pretty freely. Mrs A. W
n lady of respectable connections
On Saturday week, Armstrong fogged
g cOlOred girl, Mrs. A. taking the part of tt
Is girl and begging him to desist This led to
: alteration between them. Hewas seen tn
- evening dragging her into the house. 1t
lr supposed by the neighbors that this led to Il
a murder.
Mrs. Armstrong; funeral took place yestt
lie day and was largely attended They had
family of six children, the oldest between
ce and - years.
y Mrs. Armstrong applied to the Legislatu
he for divorce about two years ago, but the
IN being no one to look after the matter when
fore that body, and several remonstrances
ng pearing against it, the petition was not graz
C. ed. 1t is stated that Armstrong acquired
u u farm by their marriage, and got up the reno
,e strances to prevent being dispossessed of t
ce property.
We Take it in all respects it is a most sickni
" and diabolical murder.