The New York herald., 1871-12-24
SHOCKING DOMESTIC TRAGEDY.
A Husband Tries To Kill His Wifc md Muir.
dcrs His Child.

ders His Child.
The Bunalo Express OF Wednesday publishes re-
port OF terrible murder committed at Whites
Corners, about twelve miles southwest Of tnas
city,
For long time past there has resided In the VII
Iage family named sprsxae, consisting or the
wife, Mary Spragae, aged twenty i've and three
children-Emer, aged five years. Clarence. eyed
couple do not seem 10 have agreed very we
Spragnc being shiftess sort or fellow, and, the
ever never made any public Complaint against him.
The family lived In the rear OF the millinery store,
whicn Is two story frame building, on Church
the sprague family retired to bed as usual ON
Monday evening. All slept In the same bed in tho
room al the rear OF the store. Spraguc did not uQ
dress. About O'Clock Sprague got up told his wGo
that ne could not sleep and would bnild fire. She
heard him 90 TO the butlery where he kept his
razor, and Inc next recollection she had was that
nc was standing over ner trying to cut her throat.
She Is somewhat larger than her husband. ana sue
ceeded In wrenching the weapon from his hand.
He then rushed u the woodbox seized the axo ana
and bleeding sle managed TO escape out into the
store, thence into the street and ACROSS 10 ono OF
escape spragac killed. lie little girl Ellen her head
being nearly severed from her body.
contains q small counter, sewing machine and a
few picture frames, our reporter passed into the
room IN % wnicn @ me me- Tragedy occurred. 10 ~ scpa-
at the right is seen COOK stove and table, TO the
left Is an alcove IN which was the bed. Tne whoc
place was q scene OF horrible disorder. The bed
was tossed by the struggle ann piastered with
blood were also the waits and focr. The nanAici
corpse OF the murdered cnild was aid ont upon the
table, and all around tho apartments were scat
tered the bloody traces OF the terrible struggle.
A coroaer's inquest was held, and the jury re-
turned q verdict that the child came to her death
from bows ny an axe injected by Horace Sprague.
During the inquest the following incident
curred:-Mr OIrien, who was acquainted with
sprague, advanced into tho room, when The
latter Immediately recognized hiu and Called
him by name. MI. UBricn, after exchanging The
usual salutations, said, rhs Is sad thing in your
family lie replied, ''It is Gods dongs; the isibie
says so--don't You KNOW thatir Mr.. OBrien sand
he did not. Sprague tnen salJ "iou VIII ind iE
there. 1t says, Vengeance Is mine, and VIII pay.
says the l>ord; that's alg Aner thus delivering
himself Sprague reiap3ei fneo silence, and merely
answered yes, no, what, unmeaningiy 10 all ques-
ti0Bs put to him. lie Is dark-comple man,
about i've feet four inches In height ami Weighs,
probably, 40 pounds. During the ne served
In the Tenth New York cavalry. and he Is u member
Of tho Grand Army OF the Republic.
Great excitement prevailed at Whites Corners.
Oh course the murder - Inc only topic OF ccnversa
ton. Some believe In Sprague's insanity. others
denouncc him as q murderer, shsmmlng To escape
punishment. The sympathy Of the people - Roi-
orally favor oI Mrs. sprague who Is spoa vi as
a haru- working, industrious woman.