The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-27
ATTEMPTED WIFE MURDER.

DESPERATE EFFORT OF A YOUNG MAN TO KILL
HIS WIFE WITH A BUTCHER KNIEE-HIs Ar
REST EFFECTED BY NEIGHBoRs.
EAsToN Pa, July &c, 1875.
The village OF Portland, Northampton county,
was the scene of an exciting ARRAY on Saturday
night, in which a wife received wounds at the
hands OF her husband which may prove fatal, and
which only failed in terminating IN one OF the
most brutal wife murders on record by the timely
Interference OF neignbors. William Williams Is
Welsh slate quarryman, who mas been working IN
the slate quarrles hereabout for several years
Lately ne has neglected and abused his family
consisting OF a wife and girl, thirteen years DID,
and spent his wages on a notorious woman
living in the community. Within a few days past
he made fearful threats against the life OF MS
wife because she had demonstrated with him
upon his conduct, and on Saturday she became so
alarmed for her safety that she swore out war
rant for his arrest, and had HIM placed under
bonds TO keep the peace. About Six O'Clock on
Saturday night Williams went home. His wife
was out in the back yard He called to her to come
into the house. as he wanted to talk with her. she
was afraid OF him and declined to enter the house
Williams then went away and about seven
O'Clock his wife went TO the rear part
OF the garden to mix her COW. AS she
sat with her back 10 the house milking she
heard stealtny tread behind ner, but before sne
could turn round she was seized by her nalr ana
jerked over on the ground The assallant WAS
her husband.
fetch you lnu ne exclaimed, with an oath and
0lsregarding the screams OF MS wle, began pull
ing ner toward the house. Her cries became so
leGd that ne evidently thought he would be in
terrupted In his work, ana, penang DOWN, ne
took a long butcher knle from MS boot, ana rails
ing lt above Ills heaa, still jerking his wife along
by Der hair, eXclalmed:-
damn you Have me arrested, will you !!
You'll never do 1t again pl
He then brought the knife down, directing the
blade al his wle's heart. She threw up her arm.
and received the stab there. The knife severed
reries. The blood spnred up INTO tue very eyes OF
the assassin and stained his clothing. Again he
made
A MURDERoUs LUNGE
with his knife, and second time II was warded
from vital spot, this time entering
the womans SIDE, striking rib and
cutting out large piece OF flesh. The
thlrd attempt or williams To butcher his vile
OF the poor woman mad reacHed the ears of two
men living near, and they reached the scene OF
the ARRAY in time to prevent third blow with
the knife. they seized Williams, and he tnen d.
thrown and bound ne badly cut one OF the men
with the knife, and alter he was secured he swore
he would Kill them both at the first opportunity.
Mrs. Williams was given medical ala as soon as
possible. Although weak from loss of blood II Is
thought she Will recover1rom her injuries Will
Jams was brought to this place, and after hear
ing lodged In jail 10 await the result oI the array
He sWore on the way to Easlon that he would
he mad not done IL tnis time.
Williams formerly q kind and lndulgent
husband and father. 1t Is said, but his nature
seems TO have entirely changed since MS &C
been married about twenty years and is about
forty years OF age.