The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-05-25
ELIZABETH WILSON.

occurred, AT SneStef, the tf'at, COaNlcltOn
and execution of Elizabeth Wilson, on a
charge Of infanticide- Her great beauty,
and unfaltering determination
TO shield the perpetrator of the crime. even
with the sacrifice of her llfe-for no one
believed her TO be the actual murderer
have made her story part of the traditions
ary lore of this locality. The facts are,
these:
Elizabeth Wilson was of an humble
but respectable parentage. The girl, from !
infancy, was remarkable for personal (
beauty and a demonstratively affectonate
disposition. In youth, the whole warmth
of her love was bestowed upon her broth-
er William, two years elder than her
self, for it seemed that love. devoted love,
was the paramount law of her existence.
Her mother died when she was yet a
child, and thus, wanting maternal CouB-
sci. she grew toward w0manhood, for her
father, an ordinary man, deemed maihte~
nance the only duty due from parent to
his offspring. Indeed, in few years he
re-married, when the mournful story of
Elizabeth's life began, for it was 10y his
wife's advice that the two children were
bound out at service-Eiiza beth near By.
William over fifty miles away from his
gentle sister. There she remained, and
when We again find Elizabeth Wilson,
she was graceful, timid girl of seven
teen, attracting by her uncommon loveli~
ness the homage which beauty always
commands.
A young girl in the neighbOring village
OF Hook Hossing was to be married, and
Lizzie was invited to the wedding. 1t
was the first party she had ever attended,
aud, of course, her heart fluttered with
anticipated pleasure. She did not see the
depth Of woe that lurked in her path. for
from that evening all her future wreichcd
ness was 10 have lis source. The brides
groom brought with him friend-a hand
some, dark-eyed, self possessed and ac~
complished young man. Lizzie and he
met, and mutual love resulted.
The summer stole by, during which
the young man was constant In his aiten-
tions, indeed, he accompanied her to her
! fathers home on a visit, ard it was gen
orally understood that they were engaged.
When the youhs couple returned to the
! family in which Lizzie was living, they
/ took back with them small stool, paint
ed blue, upon Which. mary years before,
! her brother had cut with liis knife, the
letters +. w.
Shortly af er their return, her lover an
nounced his intention Of returning to a
distant city TO establish himself in busi-
ness, 1t WAS sad parting. Letters
were exchanged, but soon those from the
( young man grew cold, and the intelligence
rapidly reached the poor girl that her
failhless 10, er had yielded to he blandish-
m rnts of rich and charming widow. She
was wretched, for in her conf ing trust SIZE
Lad yielded to lis every desire. She short.
ly aftcrwsrd gave birth to a dead infant
Crushed aud brUken-depressed will
neglect and sorrow, she fed to the city o
Philadelphia, where she remained almes
year, when she retu ned to the country
The intervening time, passed in the city
is clouded in mystery that can never b.
explained. Her health was broken, he
actions were dull, and a strange stupo
seemed TO hang over her Soon it be
came obvious that she would again be
mother At length she gave birth t,
twins. When questioned, she answere,
incoherently and contradictorily, and he
mind seemed 20 be intent only upon tn;
simple desire to return TO :he city. Wher
the children were few month old :
neighbor consented to convey ber a part o
the way in his wagon, from which, how
ever. she ali@hted when they reached tht
Kings Highway leading to Philadelphia
He left her seated on a rock, near n grove
nursing the babies: This was early il
the forenoon. At dusk, she came to tht
house where she had lived IN the CITY
haggard, and exhibiting all the indication
of an insane mind. Ile- children wer
not with her.
Next day, two straneied infan's wcr
found in a grove. a few miles from Ches
ter. Her name became connected will
the circumstance, and, when arrested, th'
same sluggish, apathy marked her de
meanor. She denied having committee
the murder, but declined 10 tell who hat
done it ; sometimes she declared that tho
children were living. When taken t.
prison, she simply asked for writing ma
teTials, and, in a letter to her brother, be
little blue stool upon which he had Gu
their initials, SO long ago. He came a
once. The meeting was silent, but thrill
ingly affecting, At length he asked he
whether she had committed The crime will
which she was charged.
"No, ne," she cried, al dill not.
you must have been greatly changed,
he s.id, chad you done So
81 am d-eadtully changed" she replied
'tbut | never hsrmcd anything"
Taking her hand in his and drawing hei
to his breast, he bent over, and in low
voice said. "N1y dear sister, will you no
tell me who did it p
She broke away from his embrace, and
in wild, startled manner inquired, "Did
what -
All endeavors to get from her any par