The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-02-15
DnMEsrIC TRAGEDY.
An Insane Man Murders His Cousin in
the Dead OF Night.


FREEroRr, ONO, February 1.-THE
Press Of to-day says: News reached this
village on Tuesday morning that Benjamin
Ripley farmer living three miles west had
killed his wile's cousin in the house Of
Ripley. The editor in company with off.
Ger Starky started at once for the scene Of
death. The building is small one story
situated at distance from the main road.
0a the broken fence in front OF the house
hung a shirt saturated with the blood Of
the victim. In front OF the house, just
beyond porch, the ground was soaked
with blood and marked by the imprint
OF a mans body. Here Nathan's body was
found lying in a pool Of blood, stiff in death.
Blood was spread upon the facing and
door as we entered the house and judging
from its appearance, the wounded man had
leaned or staggered against il as he went
out. The house faces the north and has
two front rooms. The front door opens into
the east room in which Ripley and his
wife and two children slept. A door open.
ed from this room into the west room in
which Nathan Bear his wife and child
slept. Mr.. Ripley's wife and Nathan's
were cousins
The bedding and floor in the west room
were very bloody, and the walls were spot
ted.
EVIDENTLY INSANE.
Ripley, OF late, has shown signs Of de.
rangement, and seemed to entertain the
idea that Bear and others had plotted to
take his life. This morning he arose about
daylight and told his wife to get up. He
then took some OF his clothing and went
into the room occupied by Bear and his
family, and attacked Bear while in bed
The weapon he used was common heavy
pocket knife, the heavy blade Of which he
stuck into the neck OF his victim at point
about two and one.half inches below the
mastoid process, and in front OF the
cervical vertebla. The blade was
broken at the hiIt, and was probably
left in the wound. Bear arose and
Mrs. Ripley hearing the noise, ran into the
room and seized her husband, who had
Bear by the throat. Frightoyercame her and
she seized the child. Mrs. Bear also caught
up her infant, and with girl OF about IA
years OF age, who was in bed in the same
room, they fed across the fields unshod
and in their night clothes, to the house ol
Ripley's mother, abont half.mile distant
The wounded man followed to the door,
which he had evidently leaned against for
moment, and then fallen forward over
the narrow porch to the ground, where he
was found. rf.
TELlG HIS CRIME. u,- ..
Ripley wandered away from the house,
and was first met by his brother, whom he
told that he had killed Nathan. He does
not hesitate to talk about the matter, tell.
ing freely that he had killed man, and
that he had to do it, as Nathan was going
to give him stuff that made him feel like
FIRE and birthstone. Ripley is about twenty.
six years OF age, and few days ago joined
church, and professed religion. Since
which he has shown increased marks oil
insanity.
Bear, whois son OF George Bear, ]. p,
OF Westchester, has resided in Nebraska
for several years, and was spending the
winter in visiting his friends. All their re-
lations had been friendly, and both were
well connected, and OF very respectable
families. Itis the most shocking tragedy
that has ever occurred in this section, and
is terrible stroke upon the families who
are entitled to the sympathy OF the COM