Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-08-27
A DISTRESSING AFFAIR.

MOTHER BROWNS HERSELF AND THREE
CHILDREN-ALLEGED CRUELTY ON THE
PART OF THE HUSBAND THE CAUSE
INTENSE EXCITEMENT AT THE FUNE-
RAL-LYNCn LAW FREELY TALKED OF.
READING, PENN, August 21.-Yester-
day the funeral of Mrs. Paul Bessinger
and her three children, whose death by
drowning occurred here Tuesday, took
place. The utmost excitement prevailed,
and a very large concourse of people fol-
lowed the bodies to the grave, the process
sion comprising over thirty carriages and
not less than 900 people on foot. For an
hour before the time for the funeral the
house was surrounded by excited people,
and the excitement was so great that a
detachment of police kept guard on the
premises.
The circumstances attending the death
of the mother and children wero such as
to create the strongest interest. which
partakes largely of indignation. Bessinger
is the keeper of saloon here. and his
family consisted of himself, wife, and three
small chidren.-a boy and two girls. His
mother also made her home with his fam
ily. OF late, it is said, there has been con-
siderable unhappiness, caused, the neigh
bors say, by the ll-treatment OF Mrs. Bes-
singer by her husband and his mother.
The report commonly accepted is, that
Bessinrer had bestowed his affections
uuOn All unmarried woman from Phlladel-
phia, who he often had at his house. On
Monday, it is stated, Il quarrel TOOK place
between the husband and wife Oh this ac-
count, and he ordered her out of his sight.
He told her he would give her 81 900 to go
away and return no more, she to take the
two girls and he to keep the boy; and he
threatened to kill her if she returned. This
prospect Of separation from one Of her
children, added to the previous unhappi-
ness of her position manlfeStly preyed
upun her mind, and she Was very much
depressed. On Tuesday, accompanied by
her three children, she left the house and
entered Il Street-car, i'll which she rode out
of the city for about two and a half miles
to a point on th. hank OF the canal She
had basket with her, and this she pro-
ceeded to ill with stones, her children as
sisting her. Having filled it, she bound it
securely to her waist, and then, taking II
child under each arm aud holding the
third child to her breast, she jumped into
the canal. The cries of the children at
trlcted the attention Of, a man who could
not swim. and before he could get help all
were drowned. The bodies were recOv-
cred and removed to the house of the hus-
band, and he WAS notified Of the occur
renee, receiving the news, it is said, while
in company with the woman who had
caused the unhappiness. So great was the
Indignation among the people at large that
detachment of police was kept guarding
his house from the first until after the fu-
neral. 1t is stated that in the crowd in
attendance yesterday not less than fifty
men and even women, were armed with
pistols for the avoWed purpose of shooting
Bessinger. He was guarded by the police
all the way to the grave and back, and as
a further protection the coffin containing
the little boys body was placed in car
rage with him. When the bodies had
b. en- lowered into the grave a part of the
crowd hooted at Bessinger and a number
of women endeavored to get at him. One
shot was fired at him without effect. He
was instantly hustled in his carriage and
driven off. Another shot was fred in
passing the gate, and it is supposed to
lave struck him, us he was carried from
the carriage into the house. Great indig
nation still exists, and lynch law continues
to be freely talked of.