Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-12-31
nonnrBLE munDER an pALTlmonn

The most brutal nnd most ilendish murder
that we have ever been called upon to mar.
rate, becomes our painful duty now. About
len O'Clock on Christmas morning, John Nc
Namara, residing on Cathedral street, short
distance this Side OF the toll gate, while in
drunken at, dragged his wife, Anna, aged
80 years, from her bed and knocked her
down, and when she attempted to rise he
struck her several times over the head and
ON the face with q boot jack While she
was receiving the blows from the boot lack,
she lifted her hands in order 10 protect her
| lace, and her hands were fearfully hacked
and bruised. She was rendered insensible
by the blows which rained so thick and
bruushly upon her, and while upon the floor
her husband kicked her about the head and
body until strength tailed him. Eo terrific
was the onset OF the attack that the cries of
| the poor woman were not heard by persons
| residing in the lower portion OF the house
Alter the fiend had beaten his victim he
drove his three small children. two girls
and hoy, neither OF them over nine years
OF age, into the street, and then lifted the
insensible body Of his wife ilom the floor
and placed II IN bed. He then ordered the
children into the house, and in answer 10
the eldest child concerning It's mother. he
replied that she had fallen out Of the Ned
aud injured herself The poor woman sui
Tered tile torture 9 of a thousand raths unti
about halt-past eleven O'Clock, when hej
pains ceased, and she passed into nnothe,
world. After McNamara had placed hi
wife in the bed, lie began to realiz the situa
ton in which he was placed, aiad quiltet
the house with the intention of making hi
escape. About half an hour after lie ha,
quilted the place, tue screams on the mur
dered wOman's children attract ed The al
, tenli0n OF lady occupying the lower sior
OF the house, and upon her entering III
! room the sight lHal presented itself was hoI
rible in the extreme. The floor and be
clothing were covered with coagultted blood
while the face of tho victim presented
! sickening appearance. One of the eyes ha
i been forced from its socket, and hung upo
q, tho cheek the lett ear was torn nearly ffoI
Z the head and forced into the cavity, as
done by stamps from the boot heel OF III
v maniac husband, for he can he looked upo
q III no other light Her nose, checks an
/. mouth were also terribly disfgured he
= skull fractured, and her body almost cove
v ed with bruises. Information OF the awil
tragedy was furnished TO officer McIntosl
Of the western station, who, with Mr.. GeorO
70 Smalwood, started in search OF the mnrde
inei er. Upon inquiry they found that he LA
II taken 10 the Falls Road, and, after Ion
- search, he was found near the Wasbinrto
Factory. Upon being arrested he confesse
of that lie had killed his wife, and appeare
= deeply affected. He was arrested, and We
xt terday afternoon hearing WIS had bcfo
Justice Bride at the station house, whiC
ro resulted in his being committed to Jail
~ await the action of the county AIthoritie
W W During the examination yesterday, the pri
cipal witness against the accused was b
eldest daughter, and it was most afTectir
sight to witness the agony OF the child
she related how her father had hit and kic
et ed her mother. Mcnamara freely ackno,
Id lodged 10 the magistrate that he had kill,
d. lis wife, and the only cause assigned |
N him for the act was that he WAS crazed wi
no liquor He fully appreciated his awful POI
ed ton, and remarked that he cared not VIII
or course the law might take, and was willii
re to expiate his crime upon the gallows.-BC
nd timore Conlmereidk Of Fridak.