New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-13
HORRIBLE TRAGEDY At SUTTON, N n.

A MAN ATTEMPTS TO BURN HIS WIFE AND
Il CHILD-EXCEssIyELY BRUTAL CONDUCT. -t
CONCORD, n. H., Feb. PA most brutal
tragedy has recently transpired in the town Of Sutton
About weeks ago. several persons whose homes
the south village Of Sutton were alarmed by loud
shriebs and cries for ASSISTANCE when enanated IRON
the dwelling Of man named Melvin Mitchell They at
once proceeded to tho place, where they found Mrs
wearing nearly consumed, and her lower Limbs one
OF her and other PORTIONS OF her body were shock
sent for and everything possible done for the sufferer by
kind and sympath.zng neghbors who feard she could
not survive until the next morning She fingered how
and alive this morning although recovery
Is extremely doubtful Soon after the above occurrence
TO the manner IN which the accident occurred Mrs.
Mitchell said 1t was caused by the bursting VI kerosene.
lamp. known the same time that Mitchell was
hard character aud that he had often been very cruel
TO his family The physician Dr. James r. Smiley, en-
treated the sufferer to explain all the
the For all his efforts in that direction were
unayang AT last she said day that she wanted tn
tell but wac afraid her husband would XII her
Finally, when assured that she should be pro
teetod from her husband, she gave her testimony
before Justice OF the Peace fully her feeble con
duon would permit Se said that on the evening OF the
accident she was sitting IN one Of the kitchen
an open fire. when suddenly her husband threw bottle
Of kerosene oil into the flames The bottle instantly
broke and IT. flew all directions, considerable
OF 10 going upon Mrs. Mltches clothing. At tbs same
time IT took fire. and she was immediately enyeloped ia
flames Unasssied by her husband, she endeayored 10
extinguish the fire, but without She then ran
into adjoining room her burning clothing dropping
from her at every step. Her husband pretended TO
assist her. but what be did, whether Intentionally or not
only aggravated his wfe's suilerngs, for he opened
door also took stick and poked about her clothing
At last when the flames reached the poor wOmans face
and threatened 10 choke her. he displayed some feeling
and getting water put out the fire. and then called
the neghbOrs Mrs. Mitchell also gave further patcu'
lars OF her husbands cruelty 10 herself and children
evening about week before the sad event above re-
lated occurred Mitchell took his youngest child oabo
about months old and under the plea OF endeavor
ing stop from crying he held 10 between two rocks
the fireplace. used instead OF andrOns, aud over the
flames until side OF its face horribly burned
from It's chin to its scalp He aferward struck the child
severe blow the other side OF It's face choked until
IL was black and blue, and then gagged IL with hand
mother dared not utter word lest he should Kill
both the child ana herself immediately after Mrs
Mitchell had made known the above her brother James
Rowe Of WimOt, caused the arrest OF Mitchell on com.
pnnt charging him With attempting 70 take the life OF
his wife All the justices " the in sutton said they
were so preiuced against Mitchell that they were dis
qualified for holding court for his preliminary trial
He was accordingly taken by Deputy Sheriff John d.
Wadegh Bradford, and arraigned before N. O. Lear
esq Mitchell pleaded not guilty but the testimony
against MIN strong that he was bound over for
trial IN supreme Judicial Court In default OF bail he
was yesterday morning committed to jail in Concord
left Sutton the women there were SO incesed
against him that they threatened to take his case into
THEN hands. Mitchell Is about 30 years OF age. aud
has long sustained bad reputation He is sometimes
incorporate, but there IL evidence that no was III
liquor when committing the above diabocal deeds. Hi