The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-29
A FEARFUL TRAGEDY.
yArHxR MURDERED BIZ HIS cHnDRxx-
CRuHrTY AND HrOOD

yATHkR MURDERED BIZ HlS CHlLDREN-
CRUELTY AND BLOOD.
FAIsoxs Dupiin County, N. c.. May rs, 1870
mysterious tragedy was enacted near this station
on tho Wilmington and Weldon Railroad, In January
last white named X B. Hatch was assas-
sinated the early hours OF dark winter night while
sitting in his own house; receiving three gunshot
wounds, from which he died few days afterwards
Coroner Lafayette Smith, Of DupIin county. came to
the spot summoned jury Of the byssanders and held
nm inquest 1t In evidence at the inquest that the
murdered man was reckless and Incorporate, cruel
husband and father and had the day Of his DEATH
severely beaten his vile ard locked her into room
for another Jogging, which he threatened admin
ister on the morrow. At the time no had driven
his younger children, three in number, with curses
out OF doors. Testimony also taken TO the fact
that three nearly simultaneous discharges OF gun
heard at Hatch's house that night, after
dark No one however, Of the witnesses examined had
seen anything which tended indicate who was guilty
OF the homicide Although tho deceased had fingered
for several days after receiving his mortal wounds be
had made no dying declaration which implicated any
person IS his Assassin. Tho whole matter horri-
BILE and apparently impenetrabe mystery Tho Coro-
ncr's Jury returned verdict that Hatch camc 70 his
death a the hands OF some person or persons 70 them
unknown.
Hatch had insured his life, some time previous 70
ance Company, for the benefit Of certain OF his chill
drcn The policy was for S1,50u The company's
agent mt Wilmington refused to make payment upon
Tie ground thai be had reason 10 believe that the
death OF tho insured had been procured BY the bene
hcIaries Of policy. Two detectives Cameron and
Martini were employed, 10 Is said, for largo conn-
gent fee. 70 work up the case. These detectives at
length, after quest Of months, shadowed man
named Weeks who had married one Of Hatcs elder
daughters. Some slight outgivngs and other clews
were fastened upon which suggested that Weeks knew
moro about tho Staying Of Hatch than he dis
posed "a reveal He was confronted and charged with
being accessory 10 the crime. He denied hrs own par
ticipaton, but, being thoroughly frightened,
1NCUIPATRD rHE LrTTLE CHILDREN
night n mid winter Two Of these children arc bows
aged sixteen and the other ten and the third Is
girl or twelve years In order 70 get something
proposed TO conceal themselves In some bushes near
the roadside that they might overhear
ton which Weeks was to have with the accused Ac-
cordingly Weeks led young negro man. whom he had
also charged with completely In the murder, toward
the covert before reaching which, however the negro,
suspecng something refused 10 proceed further,
ing loud enough for the men In ambush 10 hear, that
be didn't want 10 talk any more about IL The two
boys Hatch sons were next brought within earsho OF
stances OF the murder with them Tho boys spoke Of
their dead fathcrs relentless cruelty TO them and
their mother and admitted that
KfLLED nfx,
tho gun having boon handed to them BY their little
sister. They implicated the negro above mentioned as
having ared one OF the fatal shots The boys and tho
negro arrested and taken tho 18th
inst before Justice Of the Peace at this place for
animation The proceedings we're postponed until to-
rsnser srveS bsre abou hpes
r. H., and the preliminary examination proceeded,
resulting the committing Of the accused Tor trial al
the next term Of tho Dupln County Superior Court,
which begins next week Al Kcnansvile There IL a
strong and general sympathy for the unfortunate chill
dren nowithsAndins their unnatural act Strange 10
say, tho only apparent motive which impclcd these
almost infnnt pafricdcs love for their much NAL
treated mother and purpose 70 avcnge her wronga