Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-05-09
4 Trgedy of insanity.


4 Tngedy of insanity.
AFArnER oFFERgHIs CHILD AS A sACRI.
TECHS Co-RELIGIoNIsTs CONSENT
TO THE DKKD,
&C., &C., &C.
On Saturday last a shocking tragedy oc-
CURED at North Sandwich, Mass, Charles
E. Freeman, member of the religious
sect known AZ 'sSecend Adventists.'' Kill
ling his little daughter as sacrifice to the
Almighty. The child was five years old.
The murderer had been an Adventist for
about year. The New York Herald"
in it's account of the remarkable crime,
says:
Freeman is farmer living at Pocassett
and for the past ten months has been car
rying the mail from PO0assett depot to the
postOfice. About twelve months ago he
became convert to the faith of the Sec
ond Adventists, and since that time has
neglected his farm and devoted his time to
the study Of the Bible.
About week ago he said that his wife
had received a revelation from the Most
of ono Of his family, but he was in doubt
as to which one. The subject was talked
over, but no conclusion was reached. On
Thursday q meeting of the Adventists was
held at Freeman's house, but nothing was
said OUTSIDE the meeting about anythln
unusual having occurred. On Thursua,
night Seth ReIding, constable of the town.
called On the family Of A. P. Davis, who
is one of the leading Adventists, ard he
hot of
aged l6 years, was particularly sober.
The young lady and Mr.. Redding, who
ID young man, were left alone, and she
soon began to cry. Mr.. ReddIng asked her
what was the matter, and after some per
suasion she told him that at a meeting in
Frseman's house that afternoon Freeman
had confessed to having killed his young
est child. Redding then went to one of
the Selectmen, David Nye, and told him
story, and said that Redd1ng had better
investigate it.
Redding went to Foster Howard, who
is convert to tho Advent faith, and ask
ed him (Howard) whether he knew alb at
Freeman's killing his daughter. Howard
said it was so, and then Redding waited
around Freeman's house until morning.
Soon after daylight Redding, according to
his own statement, went int the house
and asked for Freeman. at the same
time, seeing him on a bed in an adjoining
room, he said to Mrs. Freeman that she
need not disturb her husband, as he only
wanted to know that he was in the house.
Soon freeman came out OF his room, and
after shaking hands with Rodding. asked
him how he felt. at the same time saying
that be (Freeman) did not feel well. Red
ding said he did not wonder after what
occurred, Freeman said sit is horrible, y
and told Redding the whole story, as
follows:
ttYou know" said Freeman to Redding
ssthat had revelation about week ago
in which the Lord appeared to me and told
me to kill one of my family and offer it as
sacrifice. Well, He did not say what
one, but on Thursday morning, on aWak-
ening from sound sleep, sometime about
2 o'clock, the Lord appeared to me and in
formed me- that the victim of the sacrifice
was my pet. my idol, my baby Edith.
awoke my wife and we talked the matter
over and prayed TO the Lord for guidance
and direction, that if it was Gods will
that the cup might pass from me and end
ed by saying God 3 will be done. The L rd
said it was necessary and SO arose, went
out of doors to my shop and got a sheath
knife. I then came in and placing the
lamp on the chair near the bed, / drew
back the clothes, raised my hand to strike
the fatal blow, fully convinced that the
Lord would stay my hand as he did with
Abraham when about to offer up his son
Isacc; but he did not and the knife de-
seconded. My darling turned as the knife
struck her and lifting her hands and open
ing her eyes, said, ooh, papaP Nv Oldest
child awoke just as her little sister was
about to be slain and sent her to hel
mothers room. I struck the deadly blow
as tenderly az I could and the little one
died with the light of heaven on her face
I then took the bleeding child in my arms
and wept bitterly. I lay down with it II
bed. It seemed as if God had forsaker
me az He did Jesus on the cross. prayed
and wept bitterly and in the morning tel
Eloriously. God rewarded my soul witt
light and I went to the depot in peace
with God and all the world. notified tht
selectmen and constables to be present al
the meeting in the afternoon but nont
came.
'Do you expect to hang for it?'' asked
Redding.
mo" answered Freeman. "God has
commanded me to thus rudely awaken the
world from its present condition and God
will justify His servant. If it had beer
INV wife orsthe other child [ should have
done the same. begged God to take my
life but that was not to be. loved the
child better than myself"
One of the strangest fea ures of the ter
ribls tragedy is the fact that tho members
of the sect to which Freeman belongs, thu
Second Adventists, who were present al
the house, by invitation, approve his act
regarding it as the result OF direct reve
1afion. When the me ting at Freeman Z
honse on Thursday afternoon was calleo
TO order Mr.. Freeman said he had a yer!
Important communication to inpart from
the Most High. The usual praying ano
singing were dispensed with, and Freeman
proceeded with the recital OF his terrible
crime, giving every point with painful mi
nuteneSs. The Adventlsts then quietl,
dispersed and each kept locked in his own
breast the awful secret with which they
were now possessed.
Freeman and his wife. Harriet P, were
brought before Justice Smith K. Hopkins
at Barnstable to-day. They pleaded ''Not
guilty. to the charge Of murder and the
hearing of the evidence was commenced
Deputy Sheriff Harris said that he arrived
at Freeman7s house and was welcomed by
him: went in with Medical Examiner DR.
T. NJ. Smith, Of Barnstable, and DR.. Geo.
M. Munsell, of Harwich; found the child
dead on the bed; Freeman made no resist
ance to going with us. Medical Examiner
Smith testified that he had examined the
dead child; that he found a knife wound
between the fifth and sixth ribs On the
left side one and one-quarter inches wide,
three inches deep, entering the heart; ask
ed Freeman il he took che child's life; he
said .sYes, by order of the Lord, as Abra-
ham was ordered to sacrifice Isaac, and ii
the Lord had not meant that should kill
her He would have stayed my hand"
Mrs. Freeman said to Dr. nmlGh that
she had consented TO the ahsn: tlat me