The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1875-04-01


A uoARy old villain of Newark, N. J.
William Cunningham by name-was
adroitly caught in his own trap, which he
had set for the murder of his own poor
old wife, who had brought him thirteen
children. Cunningham had money and
he.found poor fellow, Norwood Hat
field, who had none, but who needed
some to help his two brothers out OF "a
bad scrape Cunnngham's money ap-
preached Hatfeld's needs at first by
stealth, and then came boldly out and
pointed The way to murder. cunning
ham wanted his wife assassinatcd, and
put the Job in Hatfield's hands. Hat
field was not that kind of man, at least
not for so small an amount as Cunning
ham was willing to give for the perilous
work. He listened TO him, though, ana
| agreed to make him widower; but he
| let the police into the secret while the
plot was coming to head IN cunning
hams brain Hatfield was advised by
the Chief of Police to go on with thc
business up to the moment OF execution
At first it was arranged that Cunningham
| should leave his back door open on cer-
tain night, by which Hatfield was to enter
the house, kill the old woman in her bed,
and bind and gag him SO that he could
not be suspected On second thoughts
that looked rather odd, and Cunning
ham, himself, was much too near the,
| prospective scene of blood to feel pleas
ant contemplating it. 1t might, besides,
give the law a hitch upon MN. lie
abandoned that plan as impolltic, IL not
impracticable, and Concocted an allpl
which would place him clear outside oi
suspicion. Hatfield was shown over The
house in the old woman's absence to see
how the land lay and feel at home When
he should visit it by himself. III was
arranged that the murder should be done
at seven O'Clock in the morning. Gun
ningham was to leave the house lnno-
! Gently at 6 80, and take the tram ior
Bloomfield, and return innocenuy 10
!, Newark at $50. That strategic move
ment would safely bridge hlm over inc
. bloody chasm. The officers were on the
watch. Cunningham left his home al
the appointed moment, and hastened 10
the railroad An officer entered the
house and asked Mrs. Cunningham to go
: with him to the police headquarters.
i She was questioned about her lille WITH
{ her husband, and stated that they were
i not living happily together. lie had
c not spoken to her Tor Inc lasl
D three months, and about year
age he had tried to poison
I her. Although her husband was
+ a man of means he allowed her only two
dollars and half week TO provide Tor
: the house. While this examination was
L, in progress an officer was at the depot
t awaiting the arrival of the $50 tram
from Bloomfield. Cunningham came
: according to programme, and was ar
: rested. When the policeman put ms
!, hand on Cunningham's shoulder, ana be
: fore word had been spoken, Cunning
: ham asked if anything had happened al
I the house. The officer gave him no sat
= isfaction, and he at once took ~ 1oi
\ granted that bis wife had keen killed
3 He spoke of her as dead-foully mur
!. dered-during his absence, and moanec
r and groaned in legitimate style H'
is proved good actor but bad Tragedy
e plotter. He thoroughly convicted MN
e self before he was told that his Whe Wa'
u not killed according to contract. Ihi'
y news astounded MIN. He was locked ul
q for examination, and at last accounts dlc
,e not know how the case stood. III "ouit
&c not be safe for him to go home now, ane
h it is not likely he will have the pleasure
n of contributing two dollars and nan
ID week for the maintenance OF his tamil!
ID any more. A more cowardfy old scoun
&c &c drel probably does not live'-os' Lo"'
n | PeY,,,hI,c1u