The national Republican., 1869-02-15

Horrible Tragedy ~ sutton, n. H.
A Man Attempts 60 Burn his wife
and Chiid-ExccssiveIy Brutal Con-
duct. ..I.HH WIE
A most brutal tragedy has recently trans
ago several persons whose homes are near
the south village OF Sutton were alarmed by
loud shrieks and cries for asslstance, which
emanated from the dwelling ofa man named
Melvin Mitchell, They at once proceeded to
the place, where they found Mrs Mitchell
almost burned to denth. The clothing she
was wearing was nearly consumed, and her
lower limbs, one OF her arms and other por-
tIons OF her body were shockingly eaten by
the flames A physician was Immediately
sent for, and everything possible done for
the sufferer by kind and sympathlzing neigh
bors, who feared she could not survive until
the next morning. She fingered, however,
and was alive this morning, although her re-
covery Is extremely doubtful.
Soon after the above occurrence, many Of
the Sutton people had their suspicious
aroused as TO the manner In which tho accl-
dent occurred. Mrs. Mitchell said II was
caused by the bursting Of q kerosene lamp.
II was known at the same time that Mitchell
was hard character, and that he had often
been very cruel TO his family. The physi-
| Nattis Dts vhthtb ohhtoyt thtttutou tht
sufferer 10 explain all the circumstances Of
the case. For time all his efforts in that
direction were unavailing. At last she said
one day that she wanted to tell, but was
afraid her husband would kill her. Finally,
when assured that she would be protected
from her husband, she gave her testimony
before Justice Of the peace, as fully as her
feeble condition would permit. She said that
on the evening Of the accident, she was sit
ting In one corner Of the kitchen, near the
fire, when suddenly her husband threw o
bottle instantly broke, and Its contents few
In all directions, considerable OF II going
upon Mrs. Mitchell's clothing. At the same
time II took fire, and she was Immediately
cnyelopcd In flames. Unasslsted by her hus-
band, she cndeavorcd to extlnguish the FIRE,
but without success. She then mn into an
adjoining room, her burning clothing drop
ping from her at every step.
Her husband pretended to assist her, but
what he did, whether Intentionally or not,
only aggravated his wife's sufferings, for he
opened o door and also took stick and
poked about her clothing. At last, when
the flames reached the poor woman's face
and threatened TO choke her, he displayed
some feeling, and getting some water, put
out the fire, and then called the nclghbors.
Mrs. Mitchell also gave further particulars
Of her husbands cruelty to herself and
children. One evening, about week before
the sad event above related occurred, Mitchell
took his youngest child, babe about three
months old, and under the plea Of endeavor-
ing 10 stop Il from crying, he held II between
two rocks In the fire place, used instead Of
\ andirons, and over the flames, until one side
ofits was horribly burned from Its chin to Its
scalp. He afterward struck the child q
severe blow on the other side Of Its face,
choked 1t until II was black and blue, and
then gagged IL with n handkerchief. All
this was done In the presence OF the mother,
who dared not utter word lest he should
Kill both the child and herself
Immediately after Mrs. Mitchell had made
known the above, her brother, James Rowe
Of Wilmot, caused the arrest OF Mitchell on
o complaint charging him with attempting
to take the life Of his wife. All the justices Of
the peace In Sutton said they were so preju-
diced against Mitchell that they were dis
qualified for holding court for his prclim-
mary trial. He was accordingly taken by
Deputy Sheriff John d. Wadlolgh to Brad.
ford, and arraigned before N. @. Lear, esq.
Mitchell pleaded not guilty, but the testi-
mony against him was so strong that he
was bound over for trial In the Supreme
Judicial Court. In default Of bail he was
yesterday morning committed to jail In
Concord. Before he left Sutton the women
there were so inccnsed against him that they
threatened to take his case Into their owr
hands. Mitchell Is about 80 years Of age
and has long sustained bad reputation.
lie Is sometimes Incorporate, but there Is NJ
evidence that he was In liquor when com
hitting tho above diabolical deeds. .r Orr