The Evening critic., 1883-05-17
MURDERED BY A MANIAC.
a Horrible Anair in Howard Conn
ty. Md.

ty, Md.
A very distressing shooting case occurred
yesterday morning at Belmont, Howard
County, Nd, at the residence of Mr.. Chas.
Edward Hanson, about three miles from
the Relay House. Mr.. Hanson, while suf-
feriug from mental arrangement, shot and
killed instantly Mr.. Chas Ridgeley Whyte,
afterwaId cutting the dead mans throat
with carving knife. Both parties are
well connected and had been neighbors
for many years, during which time
their families were on most intimate terms.
Mr.. Charles Hanson and Mr.. Charles Whyte
were especially friendly to each other. Yes
terday morning Mr.. Whyte, accompanied
by his daughter, called at Belmont, Mr..
Hanson's residence. Mr. Hanson, whom
he asked to see, was out ON his farm. Mr..
Whyte said he would wait for him. After
waiting some time Mr.. Whyte arose to go,
saying ho would call another day, as he
wished to see Mr.. Hanson about some corn.
He left the house and had Just reached
the lawn in front when Mr.. Hanson, who
was outside, rushed up behiud him and
fired three shots at him with revolver,
all Of which struck him about the head, and
one penetrating the temple causing instant
death. Immediately after Whytc was dead,
Hanson drew out carving knife aud cut
took place in the presence of the ladies of
Mr.. Hanson's family as well Us of Miss
Whytc.
At no time was there any cause of dis
agreement between the two men and no
motive can be assigned for the dreadful act,
apart from Mr.. Hanson's mental derauge-
ment. Mr.. Hanson, it appears, had a sun
stroke in 1871, for while after which his
mind was very much affected. For some
time afterward the effects were discernible
in several eccentricities
A Jury of inquest was summoned by JUS
tice Joseph II. Gordon. Daniel Clever, a
laborer on Mr.. Hanson's farm, testified that
Mr. Hanson had not seemed like himself
all the morning he was odd and irritable,
and was constantly singing in o loud voice.
Clever said he had never known him to
sing before during the fifteen years he had
worked on the farm. He was SO much i'm
pressed by the circumstance that when
he returned home to dinner he (Clever)
told his wife that he was afraid Mr.. Han
son was losing his mind. Testimony was
also received from Drs. Ericsson, Temple,
Worthingtop, United States Army, and
Tongue after which the jury rendered the
following verdict:
THAT Charles r. Whyte came to his
death on the 10th of May by pistol shot
fired by Charles Edward Hanson, and that
said Charles Edward Hanson was at the
said time insane"
After the shooting Mr.. Hanson was
placed under arrest and conducted TO
Ellicott City by three neighbors deputed
for that purpose. Mr.. Edward Linthicum,
the States Attorney, came to the scene as
soon as he was informed of the shooting,
but did not arrive till after the rendering
of the verdict.
Mr.. Whyte, the victim, was about 60
years Of age, and leaves a wife and eleven
children-eight sons and three daughters.
The families of Mr.. Hanson and Mr.. Whyte
are connected by marriage. Mr. Hanson is
81 years of age and is member of one of
the oldest families in the State. His great
grandfather was at one time president of
the Continental Congress, and also first
Chancellor of Maryland. His grandfather,
Alexander Contee Hanson, was editor of
the Federal Republican and United States
Senator. Mr.. Hanson resided with his
brother, Grosvenor Hanson, and three sis
tiers, one of whom has been deranged for
many years.