The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1879-05-13

The Religious Fanatic who Im'
asined that He was Inspired
from Heaven 60 Kill His Child.

Truth is stranger than fiction, and
never was there more striking illustra-
ton of the old adage than in the horri-
BILE narrative that follows. The details
of the awful tragedy in the quiet viii
village of Pocasset, Massachusetts,,
although given below without exagger-
alton in any particular, will appear to
the public mind almost incredible.
Surflice it to say that never In modern
times and among civilized, people has
there appeared such an instance OF the
! influence of religious fanaticism. on the
minds of otherwise rational persons.
Charles F. Freeman deliberately killed
his little daughter in obedience to what
| he SAYS was a command from heaven.
HIS OWN STATEMENT
| OF the deed is probably correct, and is
certainly more horrible than any YER
sion given by his friends. He has been
for some time greatly excited and
superstitious on religious subjects, and
for ten days past has imagined that the
Lord demanded the sacrifice Of the life
of one of his family. Wednesday eve
ming his two little girls, Mildred, the
elder, aged eight, and Edith, the pet
daughter, five years old, were put to
bed as. usual. Their father says the
children never seemed so dear to him
as when they kissed him good night
that evening. He retired soon after
and slept soundly till two. o'clock,
| when
HE SUDDENLY AwoKE'
And was overwhelmingly impressed
with the idea that he must STAY his little
daughter. His wife was awake and
they talked the matter over for about
half an hour She at first objected,
but both finally arose, kneeled by the
bed and prayed. Not receiving the
divine help they expected, both being
convinced that it was their duty to
offer up their child willing sacrifice to
Heaven, although hoping and half ex-
pecting that God would stay his hand
at the final moment, as He did that OF
Abraham over Isaac of old, this strange
father prayed that, if compelled to
pursue the deed to the bitter end, the
work might be done quickly and death
come to the relief of
THE LITTLE MARTYR
At the first blow. After coming to a.
decision, the man says great load was
lifted from his mind He rose joyfully
from his knees and dressed himself,
singing praises the while. He left the
house and, going toa.small outbuilding
few yards distant, he secured large
sheath knife, and with. it returned to
his chamber. Then, accompanied by
his wife, who carrieda light, he went
to the room where the children were
sleeping. The lamp was placed on a
/ chair He went to
THE SIDE OF THE BED
Where Edith, the younger child, was
sleeping, drew down the coverlets, and
deliberately plunged the blade into her
left side, just below the heart. The
little one awoke and pleadingly raised
its arms, saying simply, 80 papa"
The inhuman father took his dying child
in his arms and held it to his breast un.
til it expired. The mother meantime
carried from the room the elder daugh-
ter, who had awakened. The little one
made no cutlery but quietly nestled in
the arms of its executioner, as though
falling asleep. The man got into bed
with the body Of
HIS DEAD BABY
In his arms, and lay with it until day
break. On rising in the morning he
went about his usual work in joyful
spirits, and carried the mail from the
Post Office to the depot, as was his Gus
tom. He told friend to send word to
J. all the Adventists in the village to at
tend meeting at his house in the after
noon, when he would make known his
revelation. The company, to the num-