The New York herald., 1872-03-04
BRUTAL WIFE MURDER IN THE PENNsYL-
VANIA COAL REGIONS.

From the Pittston tPa.) Comet, March 81
Yesterday morning the senses OF our people were
again shocked with the startling report OF murder
most foul III our very midst. fastening 10 the
scene the Comet reporter CLEANED the following par
ing somewhere in jenkins township for some time,
where the iormer had job as watchman for the
addiction TO rum compelled the superintendent
tWilliam Law to discharge him. On Thursday he
moved 10 flttst0n in house ne owns. near the No.
2 plane. on tine Butler Hill road. During the after
noon hrs. Mary Tanning assisted Mrs. Margaret
a quart OF whlskcy, and afterwards James obtained
more. After an hOur or SO Mary lett, and returned
again at about hali-past five when she discov-
cred the murdered woman In the corner Of the back
room, sitting on cnair, bleeding at the head. Sne
revied the Old man Tor his brutality. He was too
drunk to say much. The wife then said, "For
Gods sake. give me water % Mary went to
the house Of Mrs. J. X. Cowen and asked ner tor
glass OF water, ana told Mrs. Cowen OF the occur
renee. AT about haf-past nine Thomas Shaw was
near the house, and listening, heard Mary and
anything Mary says the deceased crawed around
thc moor on her hands and knees crying, "i'l die
III die I'll dep, Mary says she left the house
with some quits. She tnen lay with her head near
the back door, IN the some position when found
house. The deceased was then dying. and una
able to talk. lie Immediately noticed A. jenkins,
Hunter also went for Mary flaming at the same
time: When the chief got there, at ABOUT hall-past
and cola Blood discovered on Mary's dress
and flesh and Hunters pants were very bloody.
On MS way 10 the "iOck-upN Hunter, who was
vet very drunk, said:-''I nave lived with that wO.
man lor iorty-lour years, and don't see why she
died.
Blotchcs OF blood were everywhere visible In the
Kitchen and front room on the floor and on the
Wills. Tue deceased had evidently been dragged
from her bed IN the front room by The hair OF
ncr mead, ~ large handsiul were seen around the
n0use, by the side OF the bed and on 1t. Mary Fan
nilg ana the murderer and thel murdered were
alOne IN ile mouse, and all the lignt they mad was
,ne fireplace and small mlner's lamp. Hunter has
peeh khown a. drunken reprobate and when In
liquof Would drive ms wife from the house with
c:ups OF guns. lie nearly Killed her once before
dr.. uuhter, untii lately, was sober and ndusrI.
Gus woman, supporting her husband by her own
lapOrs But lately, overcome by the bau influence
OF her husband, she has been In the habit OF drnk.
Ing. Mrs. Tanning arrested at abouI ion
O'Clock and confined In the lookup. W.
James &. Hunter Is a ScOtchman by birth horn In
ROcknill, LennOxshire lie came to Pitston In NO
and has been resident OF this place ever stnca
He ~ about sxty-fOur years OF age He owns Inc
property where the murder was committed lie
owned up to the CnIef that he pulled her out OF The
bed ana gave her couple OF KICKS. lie excused
himself upon the plea OF ner hiding IRON him. The
testimony In the inquest veriflcs the above state
menr OF facts Mrs. Tanning said sne mad TO stay
inere once before to save the deceaseds life from
the attacks OF ner husband. she also testified that
sne nad carried whiskey TO them. Dr. Rice testified
that the post-m0rtem examination exhibited
healthy signs OF the neart lungs and fntestnes and
that there was no evidence OF wnlskey having been
drank.