The daily gazette., 1880-02-09
THIRD EDITION
EShdt and Outraged.

THE TERRIBLE TRAGEDY WHICH HAS
EXCITED oUIETFARhlNe coMMu-
NIFTY.
MANCHESTER, N. H., February a.
ThS quiet farming community OF Lon-
doHderry was thrown into deep excite
ment yesterday evening over a fearful
tragedy enacted in their midst, in
which Mrs. Sarah Dillingham;, aged 3S
years, wife Of E. v. Dillingham;, re-
spectacle farmer, was the victim, and
Frank Dillingham; aged about 20
years, a nephew of MIR. Dillingham;
wasS the criminal. Mr.. Dillingham
lives about twelve miles from Manches-
ter, on the Old Mammoth road leading
to Lowell. Frank went to live with
his uncle last April, and though there
are rumors that an ill-feeling existed
between him and Mrs. Dillingham; dur
ing the past summer, nothing definite
is Known of its nature or extent. Yes
terday Mr.. Dillingham; came to Man.
chester, where heformerly lived, leav-
ing Frank at work cutting wood.
About o'clock in the afternoon Will
liam Wallace,sa brother of Mrs. Dill
ingham, who lived a few rods distant,
called to see his sister and found the
doors locked and the curtains drawn
down. Supposing her to be asleep he
returned home.
Soon afierward Frank called at the
county store Of David Burns, about
forty rods from the place Of the tragedy,
and asked for Frank Burns, who came
to the door, when young Dillingham;
said 81 have shot Aunt Sarah" Sew
eral men in and about the store noticed
his excited manner and the blood on his
face and clothing, and Immediately sur
rounded him. Mr.. Isaac Shepard asked
if # was accidental or Intentional, TO
which he replied ait will be Known"
or, ut will come OUT" but was reticent
and unwilling to talk. Mr.. Shepard
and others of the party then took him
to Dillingham's house. Upon entering
the door a fearful spectacle met their
gaze. Mrs. Dillingham; lay on her back
upon the floor of the room, with sever
afgarments thrown over her head and
body. Upon examination, a rope was
found drawn tightly around her neck.
Her clothing was disarranged and her
face purple from sufiocation. A bullet
hOund " as QlcNuNCINu III tue OdSG vi
the skull, the ball having passed through
the brain and out at the anterior por-
ton of the skull on the opposite side.
She was unconscious and appeared TO be
dying. Physicians were Immediately
summoned, who pronounced the case
fatal. Death Is momentarlly expected.
Frank says he was cleaning the revolv-
er, when it was accidentally discharged
but be does not attempt to account for
the rope found around his aunt's neck
nor for the disordered condition of her
clothing. He says he went into the
woods hack Of the house and tried to
shoot himself with the same revolver, but
failed through lack of courage, though
AN ugly bullet hole was made in the left
side o. his forehead, the ball penetrating
the skull. he then came across tie
fields TO Burns store and delivered HIM
self up, as before stated.
While in the custody of Mr.. Frank F &.
Boyd he was somewhat Frustrated from
loss Of blood and was much excited.
jumping up frequently aud exclaiming,
''Oh, dear, am sorryI did it. but il Is
too late now" Deputy Sheriff Clark
took him into custody at about sever
and in 'seelusion. The excitement is
latense ana,fears were expressed that
Frank would be shot at sight, and great
care was taken last night to keep him
away from MIR. Dillingham;, the -hus-
band.
AT aine O'Clock in the evening he was
affaiRned before Justice of the Peace
and a fuh hearing is to be had on Tues
day morning, when further particulars
.yiilbe brought TO light. Mrs. Dilhng-
ham, the victim, was a eomely, mOde- I
appearing woman and very much re-
aprpted. The conclusion can hardly be
sgNded that the unfortunate was raw
Bhed either before or after the shooting
and choking, AUD that her assailaut then
realizing the fearful crime be had com
mltt@d hastily fastened the door, Ddll.d
down the curtains aud retired to the for
est in the rear of the house, with the in
tenton OF ending his miserable exis-
fence. His won Is not thought to be
lssAs