Omaha daily bee., 1883-05-22
A MADMAN'S CRIME.
The Sensation OF the Hour at Balti-
more Killed by a Crazy Man.

BALTIMORE, Md, May 17.-There
Ia the greatest excitement In social
circles here to-day over the terrible
tragedy yesterday at Belmont, the old
estate of the Hanson family in How
ard county, near Leicester, Md. For
ever a century the magnificent old
mansion has been In the Hanson
family, and has been noted for the
generous hospitality there dispensed.
Adjoining this elegant estate is that of
Mr. Charles Rtdgely White, the vic.
tim Of O. Edward Hanson's terrible
crime. 1t is also a beautiful spot
for over seventy years the manor of
this prominent family.
At the clubr, In the hotels, In the
banks and on Change, the madman's
horrible crime is the one topic of con
versation. To-day your correspond
ent had an interview with the crazy
man at the Jail at Elllcott City.
Young Hansen appeared calm, though
his conversation was rambling and
inooherent. When asked why he
killed Mr.. White, his old friend, he
answered, as his eyes flashed and he
became excited:
81 killed h II because he killed my
Sister Nj ,g, and 1 promised my
mother on her deathbed that would
revenge Msry's death; and then again,
you know, / killed him because he
was king of the northern Masons, and
l prince of the southern Masons. He
initiated the fash of my eyes, and
tried to make the people believe he
was Ned Hanson. Now that have
killed the old man, / intend to kill
the boys"
he meant the sons of Mr.. White,
who were his warm friends and oom.
panions. Tho sister that he says Mr.. |
White murdered died fifteen years
ago of consumption. Insanity runs
In the Hanson family, and one of his
sisters was for long time Insane
What makes the tragic affair more
Is the fact that the murder
was Witnessed by Miss Jennie White,
the 18-year. old daughter of the old
gentleman, and also by Ned Hanson's
sisters. Mr.. White had waited some
time for Mr.. Hanson to return home
to see him on business, but as he did
not come the old man bid the ladies'
good.by and told his daughter he
would return tor her later In the day.
She and the two Misses Han
son stood on the portlco In front of
the main entrance to the mansion to
see him leave. As he crossed the lawn
going to his carriage he turned around
sideways, and as he waved his hand
In parting salute to his daughter,
Hanson stole stealthily out of o side
door, and, with q huge carving knife
In his left hand and the pistol In his
right, orept up In the shade Of some
old oak trees till W! thin few feet Of
the old man, and then sprang out on
the lawn and fired. eyes, you killed
my sister! Now I kill youw shouted
the madman as he fred again, and then
rushed upon his dead victim and cut
his throat. Miss White tainted away
At the right of the terrible spectacle,
and Is now lying seriously Ill from ner.
VOub probtrhtiOn'
As Hanson has never been violently
insane before there are many mysteri-
GUS rumors about the tf,ir. Mr..
Whites sons said to day that they
were con fident Hanson would never
have killed their father had he not
been crazy. There had never been
the slightest Enlargement between
the two families. Mr.. White WAS a
cousin Of the present mayor of Bslti-
more. and of tx. United States Senator
William Piukney Whyte. Mr.. Han.
sons grandfather, Alexander Contee
Hanson was prominent In the revolu.
tion of 1912, at that time editing the
Federal Republican of Maryland.
Mr.. A. O. Hanson's grandfather was
appointed by the Maryland legislature
q member of tho revolutionary con,
gress, and afterwards became presi-
dent of the congress. He stood high
In the confidence of Washington, re-
sided long time In his family, and
WAS his private secretary for some
time.