The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-02-10
FRlGHTFUL TRAGEDY

A vermonter Butchers his WE
and Mother. and Hangs Himself
A deed of blood, with scarcely q Par,
allel in our criminal annals, was en'.Uoo1
last week in the town OF LYNDON
mont.
Silas Wilder, well-to do farmer, ~
siding at East Lyndon Wath MS iaOnol
and mother, and known as man 0! very
impetuous temperament, seriously II noC
fatally stabbed his wife, killed his father
and mother, and hanged himself. IL
seems that he asked his wife to shorten
a pair of his overalls. She did SO, but
by some means made them too short.
This enraged him, and he commenced
abusing her. His mother interfered with
some remarks, which still further exas-
perated him. Uttering profane threat,
he started for the woodshed. His wife,
fearing he meant mischief, followed
him. Upon reaching the woodshed
Wilder caught up an axe and started to
return. His wife caught at the axe to
|. prevent him entering the house with it.
Meanwhile, his aged father, hearing the
noise, went into the woodshed to see
what it was about. just as he got there
the son said
eff 1 can't put STOP to this with an
axe can with my knife.
He then drew large dirk-knife and
struck his wife terrible blow across the
breast, and afterward across the left
eve, knocking her senseless.
He then rushed upon his father, fell
ing him to the ground with fearful
blow upon the head.
His mother, thinking to stop the af-
fray, blew the dinner-horn. The son
rushed at her, and, striking her three or
four blows with the axe, nearly severed
her head from the body.
Leaving her lying in her blood he re-
turned to his father and wife. The old
man had crawIed back into the kitchen,
and was lying helpless on the floor. The
son raised his ak and sent 1t crashing
through his fathers head with such force
that he was unable to move il.
His wife, who had somewhat recov-
cred, managed to escape to the nearest
house. The monster, finding that she
had escaped him, sought his own de-
struction. He first cut his own throat
Finding that it did not instantly kill him,
he took rope, climbed upon a beam,
fastened the rope about his neck and the
beam, and then jumped off. His neck
was broken by the fall, and death doubt
less ensued Immediately.
The murderer was aged 80, and his
wife about %, while his father and moth
er were 70 and 70 respectively.
The old man, Levi FL. Wilder, was in
conf ortable circumstances, owning a
farm and stock worth SIS, 900, and having
$4,000 or $4,000 at interest. A few
years ago he decided his farm to his
youngest son, and took mortgage of
Sd, 900 to secure the support of himself
and wife. The neighbors, with one &C
cord, pronounce him to be quiet, peace
able man with no bad habits, and a good
neighbor.
According to the wifes testimony, the
young man has been uniformly kind to
her, and had much affection for her.
He probably did not intend to kill her
when he struck her with his knife. He
has recently given indications that he
was becoming morbid in mind, and has
been regretful and gloomy. They were
intending to put up new house next
summer, and were preparing the lumber
this winter. He remarked to his wife, a
few days ago, that he did not take much
interest in the house, as he should not
live to occupy it.