National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-02-09
A SAD RECORD OF CRIME.
Shocking Development of Depravity
In a Youth.
A New Hampshire TraGedy-A Woman
strnngled and Shot by Her Nephew
Fatal Result OF n Bar-I,oom Quar-
rel-Suspicious Death of
Woman - Bank Ohlcer
Cruelty Tortured.
A Monster I'm Human Form.

MANCHESTER. N. H., Feb. s..--The quiet
farming community Of Londonderry was
thrown into deep excitement yesterday even.
ing over fearful tragedy enacted in their
midst in which Mrs. Sarah Dillingham;. aged
thirty-three years, wife of E. V. Dillingham;, a
respectable farmer, was the victim, and Frank
| Dillingham;, aged twenty years, nephew of
MIR. Dillingham; was the criminal. Mr. Dill.
lingham lives about twelve miles from Man.
chester 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; during the past summer, nothing
definite is known Of its nature or extent. Yes
terday Mr.. Dillingham; came to Manchester,
where lie formerly lived, leaving Frank at
work cutting wood. About o'clock in the
afternoon William Wallace, u brother
of Mrs. Dillingham;, who lived few
rods distant, called to SEQ his sister and
down. Supposing her to be asleep, he returned
home. Soon afterward Frank called at the
country store Of David Burns, about forty rods
| from the place Of tho tragedy, and asked for
Frank Burns, who came to tho door, when
young Dillingham; said Il have shot Aunt
Sarah" Several men in and about the store
| noticed his excited manner and tho blood on
his face and clothing, and Immediately sur.
rounded him. Mr.. Isaac Sheppard asked If 1t
was accidental or intentional, to which he re-
| piled, 1T will be known" or 1T will come
out" but was reticent and unwilling to talk.
Mr.. Sheppard and others of tho party then
took him to Dilingham's house. Upon enter.
ing the door u fearful spectacle met their gaze.
Mrs. Dillingham; lay on her back upon the
floor of the front room, with several garments
thrown over her head and body.
Upon examination rope was found drawn
tightly around her neck. Her clothing was
disarranged and her face purple from suffoca-
tion. bullet wound was discovered at the
base of the skull, the ball having passed
through the brain and out ut the anterior
portion Of tho skull on the opposite side. She
was unconscious and appeared to be dying.
Physicians were Immediately summoned, who
pronounced the case fatal. Death is momeu.
tarily expected Frank says no was cleaning
the revolver, when ii was accidentally dis.
charged, but he does not attempt to account
for the rope found around his,aunts neck, nor
| for the disordered condition of her clothing.
| lie says he went into the woods back of the
house and tried to shoot himself with the
same revolver, Ibut failed Through lack OF
courage, though an ugly bullet-hole was made
in the left side of his forehead, the ball pene-
trating the skull He then came across the
| fields to Burns store and delivered himself
up as before stated.
| While in the custody of Mr. Frank F. Boyd
he was somewhat Frustrated from loss OF
4
qucntly and exclaimiug "Oh, dear, ] am Sc
sorry did it, but it is too late now"
| Deputy Sheriff Clark took him into custody
Mt about o'clock, and has kept him well
guarded and in seclusion. The excitement il
intense and fears were expressed that Frank
would be shot at sight, and great care was
taken last night to keep him away from Mr..
Dillingham;, the husband. At o'clock this
| evening he was arraigned before II justice OF
| the peace. aud full hearing is to be had on
Tuesday morning, when further particulars
will be brought to light. Mrs Dillingham; the
victim was comely, modest appearing young
woman, and very much respected. The con.
clusion can hardly be avoided that the un-
fortunate woman was ravished either before
or after the shooting and choking, aud that
her assailant then realizing the fearful crime
he had committed, hastily fastened the door,
pulled down the curtains and retired TO the
forest in the rear Of the house with tho inten.
ton Of ending his miserable existence. His
wound is not thought to be fatal.