The New York herald., 1868-05-09
MURDER m NEW HAMPSHIRE.
A Man and Wife slaughtered While sleeping
Capture of the Murderer.

from the Evening Telegram Of yesierday.l
BOSTON, May &, 1868.
in New Hampshire on Wednesday, seem to have
failed In checking the murderous prOpenstes Of men
IN that section or the country. crime more atroci
Gus, more vainOus In conception, and more nOrrl-
bic IN execution than the one for which Mills was
nnng, was committed last night in Hampton Falls,
the motive OF the murderer being, as usual desire
to accumulate sudden wealth.
The victims were Thomas Brown and wife, who
were sauqhtercd In cold blood while sleeping
size Dy side In bed. The weapOn used was
sharp and heavy axe. The bodies Of both were
horribly mutiated when found. and appearances
tndcafed that the first binw inflicted upon each was
sufficient to produce instant death. After commit
ting the crime the murderer ransaoked the house and
succeeded in getting about s4O0 and several articles
ofewelry after which he left the premises and the
town.
When the crime was discovered early this MORN
Ing search was made for hired man Of Mr.. Brown's
named John D. Ross, when IL was ascertained that
he had not been seen since the evening previous or
course suspicion was at once directed toward him,
ann the citizens promptly organized into police
force and commenced to scOur the coun'rv. Bv in
auirins was learned that he had taken himself IN
the direction OF the Massachusetts ne probably with
the intention of reaching Boston in soason to embark
by one of the evening trains to New York.
Mctlng on this information or snpposition the
oucers followed the shortest route to the means or
reaching New York, and when within about five
miles OF Newburyport overlook the murderer trudg
ing slowly and unsupectingly towards the depot.
He did not recognize his pursuers until they were
upon him, and discovering that resistance was
useless, he quietly gave himself up. The officers frst
search him. In his inside coat pocket was found the
stolen money. the same az 1t was last seen in Mr..
Brown's possession, and also the jewelry and every
other artic Q which was missed from the house. Ills
demeanor when the plumber was found on him was
such as to give positive assurance OF his guilt II there
was. indeed, any doubt before, although he re-
fused TO make confession He was taken to
Newbnryport, and from thence to Portsmouth and
Hampton Falls, where he will probably have pre-
liminary examination tomorrow. The announce
ment by telegraph that the murderer had been ar
rested drew together large crowds In all the towns
through which he was to pass and at Portsmouth
there was strong feeling In favor OF iynchng. but
strong force OF police had the effect of forcing the
mob to discontinue any further demonstration than
loud talk.
The victims OF this terrible tragedy were highly
respectable and among the first citizens OF the
town. Mr. Brown was quite wealthy. and the mur-
derer probably counted on larger haul than &40O.
Ross had been In his employ several months and his
relations with Mr.. Brown and family were OF the
most friendly nature and 1t Is therefore certain that
his only object in taking their lives to get pos
session OF their wealth. He Ia middle aged man,
possessed Of fair education, but not OverstOcked
with natural abilities.