The Portland daily press., 1880-02-09
HORRIBLE MURDER.
A Young Woman Choked and
Shot to Death by Her
Nephew.
THE MURDERER ATTE MPTS TO KILL
HIMSELF BUT FAILS.

MANCHESTER, N H., Feb S.-The quiet
farming community of Londonderry was deep
ly excited yesterday evening over fearful
tragedy enacted in their midst in which MIR.
Sarah, aged %, wife of e. V. Dillingham;, a
respectable farmer, was the victim and the
nephew of the husband, Frank Dillingham;,
aged about 90, was the criminal. Mr.. Dilling-
ham lives about twelve miles from Manches-
ter on the old Mammoth road, leading to Low
ell. Frank went to live with his uncle last
April and though there are rumors that an i'll
feeling existed between him and Mrs. Dilling-
ham during the past summer nothing definite
is known of its nature or extent.
Yesterday Mr.. Dillingham; came to Man.
chester, where he formerly lived, leaving
Frank at work ON wood pile. About 3 o'clock
in the afternoon Mr.. VIM. Wallace, brother
of Mrs Dillingham;, called to see his sister and
found the doors locked and curtains drawn
down. Surprising her to be asleep he returned
home. Soon after Frank called at the coun-
try store of David Burns, only about forty
rods from the place of the tragedy, and called
for Frank Burns who came to the door. and
said, 81 have shot Aunt Sarah" Several men
about the store noticed his excited manner
and blood on his face and clothing, and i'm
lnediately surrounded him. Mr.. Isaac Shep-
herd asked him if it was accidental or inten-
tional, to which he replied, SIT will be known"
or at will come out" Mr.. Shepherd and
others of the party then took him to Dilling-
hams house.
Upon entering the door fearful spectacle
met their gaze. Mrs. Dillingham; was lying on
the floor in the front room on her back, with
several garments thrown over her head and
body. Upon examination they found rope
drawn tightly around her neck her clothing
was disarranged and her face purple from
the severe choking produced by the rope. A
bullet wound was discovered at the base of the
skull, the bullet having passed through the
brain and out at the anterior portion OF the
skull on the opposite side. She was uncon-
scious and appeared dying. Physicians were
| Immediately summoned who pronounced the
case fatal and death is momentarily expected,
| although the unfortunate woman was breath
| ing at 2 o'clock this afternoon.
Frank says he was cleaning a revolver
which accidentally discharged but does not
attempt to account fer the rope around his
| aunt's neck or for the disordered condition of
her Undertaking. He says he thenSwent in
| to the woods back of the house and tried to
| shoot himself with the same revolver but
| cause, though an ugly bullet hole was made i'll
| the left forehead, the ball penetrating the
skull. He then came the fields to Burns
| store and delivered himself UP as above mar
rated. While in custody Of Frank F. Boyd
| he was somewhat Frustrated by loss of blood
He was much excited, jumping up frequently
and exclaiming, ooh dear! 1 am sorry did il
| but it is too late now"
Deputy sheriff Clark took him into custody
| about O'clock and has kept him we'll guarded
and fears are expressed that Frank would be
shot at sight, and great care was taken last
night to keep him from the sight of Dilling-
ham the husband. About 8 o'clock in the
evening he was arraigned before a justice Of
the peace and full hearing is expected Tues
day morning at 10 o'clock, when further par
ticutars will be brought to light. County So
licitor Hartman and Sheriff Kent of Ports
mouth have been sent for and are expected to-
night. Mrs. Dillingham;, the victim OF the
terrible affair, is comely, modest appearing
lay gasping for breath a wide deep purple ring
around her throat was exposed, caused by the
rope with which the young villain did por
ton of his work. The conclusion can hardly
be avoided that the unfortunate woman was
ravished either before or after the shooting and
choking, and that her assailant then seeing
the fearful crime ne had committed, hastily
fastened the door, pulled down the curtain:
and retired to the forest in the rear of the
house with the intention of ending his misera
able existence. His wound is not thought tt
| he fatal