The Republican journal., 1875-05-20
Tragedy at Newbury.

IN 10y field, in the town of NeWnuiy and
about six miles from Newbulvport, Fri
Hay morning, VIM. Russell, son Of Theo-
dpre ltuS-el, attempted the murder OF the
whole family by cutting their Threats. He
succeeded in killing his mother A young
en- brother, Clinton, a student nj the Put
man school in NeWbuTport cannot sur
yiYe while hi, father Theodore, and an
other brother, Lawson, are in a critical
condition. He had never been on good
terms with the family. aud had been a
month without speaking to one of them.
lie had been in an ugly mood lately though
without any special alteration with any
one, and yesterday morning he went into
hs shoe shop and ground a knife, telling
ms mother that he intended to kill the
whole family with it, though she looked
upon it only as threat. lie then Went to
NeWburyport on the 10 O'clock train and
returned in the afternoon with a halt-pint
ol Whiskey and quack medicine, one of
the ingredients Of which is Il powerful
promoter Of insane intoXicatio on. He re-
Tired at his usual hour, and during the
night drank about two spoonfuls of the
WhlSkey and large quantity of the mcdi-
cine He rose about ; , o'clock this
morning, went up to the shop for his knife
and entered the sitting room where Gin
ton was lying on the sofa where he spent
the night Che having an attack of neural
gia)in care Of his mother William told
his mother that he believed somebody had
poisoned him with Strychnine, and asked
her to 90 into the kitchen and bring him
some lard as an antidote The moment
She left he sprang at Clinton and cut
cash nine inches long from the back OF
the neck round the throat Clinton Crap
Piled with him, but he gave him nine other
severe cuts ON his head and breast before
his mother returned, when he sprang at
her and with one stroke cut the iuguar
vein, half Severing her head from her
body
At this juncture his father and Lawson
entered the room and attempted to secure
him, which they did not accomplish till he
had cut and mangled both of them in a
shocking manner. An alarm was at once
raised, and in Il short time more than 100
people were on the spot in a state of in
tense excitement. Dr. IIuse OF George
town was called and dressed the wounds
OF Mr.. Russell and the sons, though he had
but slight hopes Of Clinton's recovery
officer Folsom arrested the murderer and
brought him to Newburyport, where he is
IN lall awaiting the action of the grand
Jury When he was put into his cell he
immedIatelI y tainted away Years ago he
had mid attack OF insanity from religi-
Gus excitement, and has been mcrbid and
melancholy ever since
He is 30 years old, rather tall and well
formed, with shy, downcast look Mrs
Russell was g. years old, Theodore Russell
is 73, Lawson 80, and Clinton 10. The
family is Il quiet one and has an excellent
reputation, with the exception of William
who has been noted for Il very revengeful
and jealous disposition. He is q widower
and has two children. He had trouble
with sister while she was his housekeep-
cr, which he charged his father and moth
er with instigatirg and for which he has
threatened vengeance, The family do not
think him now insane but attribute the
act to his peryerse disposition.