Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-04-26
Horrible Murders
a Mother cws. Me 1aroaths Of her -Four
Gladden.. Serious IEOanding Other oi0n
Mother- Yerdict ttthe Coroner,s Jury.


An occurrence, unparalleled at least in this
community for frightful and relentless blood
thirstiness, took place on yesterday afternoon
about 4 O'clock, at dwelling No SO on Cen
trail avenue. or Canal street, near Jefferson.
street. The particulars appear to be these:
At about the hour named, Sergeant Heard,
being in the vicinity alluded to, had his at
tention directed b. rumor that murder
had been committed, aud Fastening to the
house mentioned, the residence of Mr. and
Mrs. DIVER, and their married daughter,
Kate Marsh, and her four children, found
Mrs DIVER. lady about fifty>three years of
age. extended beneath the front porch, on the
steps leading into the basement, with her
throat cut almost from ear to ear. Passing
into the passage way. in the basement, child
about two years old lay near the entrance,
dead, from frightful cash across. the throat;
proceeding on toword the yard, another child,
about four years old, was lying across the
doorway, beneath the back steps, with one of
its feet engaged in a swing. also with its throat
severed, aud near by its body stood the mother,
Mrs. Kate Marsh, with her hands dripping
with blood. In the cellar of the house was
found still another child-a boy six years old
dead. with a similar wound in the throat;
and upon search being made by Officers
Jackson and Mittindorff at Public School No.
Is, in the neighborhood, the body of her ell
dest son, James, eight years of age, with the
throat cut in like manner, was found in the
yard The lady Mrs. Dryer, the mother of
the wretched woman Mrs. Marsh, received at
once the attention of physician, and lies now
in n most precarious condition.
From the testimony given by various wit
nesses before the Coroner's jury, it seems that
Mrs Marsh went out from her house shortly
before the tragedy and borrowed butcher
knife with blade about twelve inches in
length, from the provision store of Mr.. Bell.
on the corner, saying that she desired to cut
some meat with it. She then proceeded, it is
believed, concealing the weapon, to Public
School No. Is, where, having requested her
son James presence in the yard, she assaulted
him by cutting his throat. Thence she re-
turned to her own dwelling, and, first attack
ing her mother, who was engaged in sewing,
went on subsequently with her work of de-
struction upon her remaining children, as
above described. The knife was found in the
basement room looking upon the yard, and
was covered with blood.
Sergent Heard, upon entering the room, in
which the woman stood near the body of the
child whose foot was in the swing, imme-
diately took hold Of her, At that time she APP
Feared to be in state of excitement and ex-
claimed that her children were 'now in
Heaven" But subsequently, on her way to
the station house, she appears to have spoken
nationally about the affair, calmly admitting
her guilt. stating that she was sorry for it,
and would recall it if able. and alleging great
suffering and trouble in her family relations.
There was no evidence of her having used in-
toxicating drinks at any time previous to, or at
the time of the murders
The verdict of the Coroner's jury was that
the four children named had come TO their
deaths through knife in the hands of their
mother, Mrs Kate Marsh.
The husband of the woman William Marsh,
was barber, who carried on business in this
city for several years, and abandoned his wife
about one year ago. It was never noted that
their material relations were more ordinarily
disturbed, while since her deSertion she has
been living with her parents at the house on
Central avenue. It is said she has been liv>
ing with her parents at the house on Central
avenue. 1t is said she was in great distress
at being thus dependent on her family and
at being unable to Obtain work. which she
had sought in vain. She is about thirty two
years Of age. She was taken to the City Jail.
from the Eastern Police Station, last night
about half.psst eight o'clock, in charge of
Chief Detective VIM G. Corn and Captain
Kennedy. appearing 70 feel 'keenly the ter
ribe reality of her position, The names and
ages of her children were as follows: james,
aged eight years; William. eyed six years
Mary Jane. aged four years, and George,
about two years old.
Drs Yates and Bradford are in attendance
upon Mrs. Dryer, aged fifty three, and enter
tain scant hopes of her recovery.
Baltimore Gazette, April %.