The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1875-12-09
OHIO.

CLEVELAND, December about seven
o'clock this morning, Vim. alden, an Eng
| lishman, and expressman for Cobb, Ander-
son n Co., living on Scranton avenue quar-
relied with his wife, and, becoming enraged,
he caught up an ak and commenced beat
ing her whit, severing her head from her
body, and otherwise horribly mutilating
her. He then went TO the corner OF Gorden
street with an ak and hammer, and at
tackled his step-daughter, cutting her in an
awful manner. Mrs. Benton, who attempt
ell to interfere, was also chop ped and
pounded with the hammer. The two lat
ter, although still alive, are beyond all
hope The house presents an awful ap-
pearance, the walls and ceiling bespattered
with blood and pools Of gore lying upon
the floor, dishes broken, and chairs upturn-
ed, showing terrible struggle. Alden was
arrested on Scranton avenue, while DELHI
erately settling up his affairs, and locked
up. He gives as a reason for this triple
murder that his wife, who was widow
when he married her, and his step-daughter
were stealing him out OF house and home.
When questioned why he was not satisfied
with killing his wife, he said he wanted to
put an end to all the whelps, for they drove
him to it. There is great excitement in
the city over this butchery. Nothing 30
horrible has ever before happened.
Mrs. Benton and Miss Hattie Alden, the
two survivors Of the dreadful tragedy of
this morning, are still alive. The former
may recover, but the latter will die. 1t
seems that Mr.. and Mn. Alden, who re-
sided on the Heights, have had trouble in
agreeing for some time, and recently sepa-
rated, but the husband begged the wife TO
return to him, which she did. Mis-,
Hattie Alden, the step-daughter of the
murderer, who worked at millinery store,
would not live at home, but went to
board with the family Of Geo. l.. Benton.
This enraged Alden, who made threats to
compel her TO return, but no attention was
paid to him. Yesterday Alden and wife
had some trouble, but nothing serious &C.
CURED until early this morning, when he
accused her of concealing money from him,
and said that she and her daughter were
taking all OF his money, and ne would not
stand it any longer. She made him some
reply, which 30 enraged him that he seized
a hammer and killed her. He then hitch
ed up his horse to his wagon, took the
bloody hammer, and drove TO crest street,
hitched his horse near Garden street, and
walked TO the residence of Mr.. Benton, at
900 Forest street. Mr.. Benton had finished
breakfast and gone TO work Mrs. |
Benton and Miss Alden were sitting |
at breakfast when Alden came in, without !
knocking, shut and locked the door, and |
his bloody work. i, is sup
posed that he attacked his step daughter, !
and Mrs. Benton interfering, he assaulted 4
her. Neighbors heard the screams Of muir
der and scufiiing, but the men had all gone .
to work. IL was some time before they !
went out. One lady saw Alden walking /
away from the house, ard then !
saw Mrs Benton, covered with blood, crawl
ing out OF doors on her hands and knees.
She screamed for help and ran and picked
Mrs. Benton up and carried her into the
house, VIII re she found Hattie lying insen-
.ible Physicians were called, who found
that Hattie mad three wounds upon Aer
head, IRON Two Of which the rams
oozing out, two or three cULs on the : -.
der and a broken JAZZ. Ms. Benton -
wo cuts on the head, which had bru..en
Inc skull, and several On the shoulders.
Alden, after leaving Mr.. Ben
ions house, drove nome, where
he was arrested When told
he was arrested for the murder Vi his step
laughter and Mr.. Benton, ne coolIy asked
L they were dead, and said he hoped he had
made . clean job OF it.