Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-06-24
The Wal,Corth Family.

The terrible tragedy Of Tuesday has
brought the Walworth family into pain.
lul notoricty. A resident Of Saratoga
gives the following account of the father
and mother of the parricde:
Mrs. Walworth, the wife of the man
killed Yesterday by bis son, was Mis-,
Nelly Hardee, daughter of Col. IIardee,
of Kentucky. who was killed in the bat
tie of Buena Vista After the death of
the Colonel his wife went TO Chancellor
Walworth, the father OF the murdered
man. TO settle some contest about the
estate of the late Colonel. 1t ended by
the Chancellor marrying the widow.
This naturally brought the daughter,
Nelly, and Mansfield Tracy WalwOrth,
[step daughter and step son] constantly
together and the result was that they
were married. In the course of year
Walworth began indulging habilually in
intoxication and became brutal in the
treatment of his wife, and on some occa-
sions struck her. This treatment contin-
ued until the outbreak of the late war.
when Walworth, through his lather. Oh
tained position in the State depart
ment. At Washington. and his ways were
improved. II was then discovered that
Walworth was using the means his posi-
lon furnished him with TO give secret
information TO the Confederate authorities
of what was transpiring in the North.
lie was arrested and sent TO the old capi.
tol prison, but was released through the
influence of his father and allowed to 20
to Saratoga. where he made report to
the authorities every day until the close
of the war. la the meantime his father
died, leaving nothing TO his son or
daughter in-law, and the former resumed
resumed his old habits. His conduct at
length became unbeatable. and Mrs.
Walwor,h left him and shortly procured
u divorce.
She obtained position as clerk in the
Treasury department, in Washington,
where she renamed TOR two years, and
then went TO Saratoga aud opened
young ladies' seminary. 1t was while
she was there that she began TO receive
letters from Walworth. threatening and
insulting her, and making outrageous
charges against her. 1t was those letters
which caused The son to leave his home
and commit The horrible act
Young Walworth made the following
statement before the jury
am guilty Of no crime; l will make
q statement: Ny father treated his
father and my mother very cruelty for
years; incensed against his own father
for putting his little share Of property in
trust so that my mother and family got
something out OF it. my father kept
writing letters TO my mother full of inn
precautions against his father. Ho wrote
to her among other things IL will kill
your boys and defeat the Id
scoundred in his grave, and cut off his
d--d name forever. lio also threat
ened my mothers life. About three
years ago he beat my mother cruelty; /
was not present but saw The marks.
| When I heard this | loaded pistol be.
| longing TO cousin of mine and have
carried it. ! supposed father was armed,
at least when he came TO see us. My
uncle, Clarence Nalworth, has been
father to US. He recently proposed 10
take ME TO Europe with him. was
troubled about leaving my mother with
out protection. On Sunday last / wrote
to my uncle that | must 90 and see ms
fathers and whether l could 60 to Europe
or not, would depend on that interview
from the fact that wanted him not TO
molest my mother during my absence. |
had no intent 10 kill him when he came
into my room. | asked him to sit down.
He did so. Spoke to him OF his conduct.
Promise me you will neither shoot my
mother, nor insult her nor any OF the
family any further" He answered 81
promise" but with look which TO my
mind implied contempt, and the reverse
ol intent to keep his promise. lie had
Just before put his hand to his breast as
if 10 pull out pistol Am unconscious
Of having fired more than three times.
He closed on me rapidly, and his breast
was upon me when fired the last time.
Don't think he said anything in the whole
interview but what is stated.