The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-05-09
A Mysterious Supposed Suicide Nine
Years Ago Proven 10 Have Been n
Deliberate Murder.

Deliberate Murder.
Correspondence OF Chicago Tribune.
BLASDvILLE, Ballard county, Ky.,l
April IL, 1867.
The usual quiet Of this little village has
been disturbed by an incident of great mo-
ment to us, and one which forcibly illus
trates the old saws that "murder will out"
and Ga woman cannot keep q secret"
About eleven years ago there came to this
county and settled about five miles from
this town man named Hudson, of South
Carolina, in which State he abandoned ms
wife and three children. One Of his neigh
bors, named Belcher, was the father OF TWO
buxom daughters, between the younger ol
whom, aged fifteen, and HUDSON t1ei is
sprang up an intimacy which resuiteu IN
the seduction Of the girl. Nine years as9
this month Hudson committed suiclde' anu
was found in the garrett OF his house nans-
ing by the neck, his knees touching 'h1
floor. He must have committed Tue ueeu
some four or Ave days before his pody was
discovered, as the remains had commenced
to decay, and one side OF the face ana ear
were much eaten away by the rats. ~
coroner's inquest was held over the Douy
and a verdict of suicide returned. one Oh
the Jurors, however, noticed something
like a piece of iron in the ear oil the de-
ceased. but did not examine 1t very NIL
nutely, nor did he mention the TACT LOT
some time after.
The Younger Belcher girl married man
named McNabb, with whom she has since
lived very happily, Notwithstanding she
became a mother in few months after
she married. The family prospered the
elder sister likewise married, and was
much respected, none of the neighbors hav-
inc aupht to say against either of the girls.
Rnt there was a skeleton in both house
holds: and the sisters, as they plodded
along the Journey of life, were continually
barassed by fears and doubts, each stri-
wing in vain to lay the visions which
haunted their minds.
A few weeks since, during fit of de-
spondency, the younger sister dlvulged 10
a neighbor the terrible secret which had so
long weighed upon her conscience and
made her life a torment. 1t was that her.
self. with her sister and husband, had MUIR
dered Hudson Her story was, that In com
pany with McNabbb, whom she afterwards
married, and her elder sister, she called
upon Hudson, and telling him of her situa-
ton. upbraided him with her betrayal.
Hudson attempted to laugh away the affair,
and for the first time informed her OF his
being married man. This incensed both
the sisters and McNabb, all Of whom COM
menced an assault upon Hudson, as had
been previously agreed upon in case he re-
fused to render justice to the girl he had
so foully wronged. Hudson was easily
overpowered, and killed by driving into his
ear portion of the iron spindle belonging
to a spinning wheel. After the murder
was accomplished, the body was taken to
the loft of the cabin, and left hanging by
the neck, as it was found several days
thereafter.
The woman to whom this fearful secret
was impaired divulged the facts before
the grand jury at the present term of the
Circuit Court, who at once found bill
against McNabb, his wife, and sister-ln-
law and yesterday the parties were ar.
rested, brought to this town, and placed
in Jail.
The women are both decidedly good
looking, but their countenances seem to
indicate that they have no hope.