Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1883-09-07

chuhe tof ~ mucn ehciicment ~ Wa mhh-
Tested on Tuesday morning last, for hard
y had the news Of the Jail delivery been
spread before Constantine Mundi came in
from his home about two miles frown tow n
and with many tears and much wringing
Of handp, reported TO Judge Brown that
his wife was lying dead al her home, with
her throat cut from ear 10 ear. II is
matter Of common report that he had been
very cruel towards her and suspicion al
once, notwithstanding his protes,stions,
pointed 10 him as the murderer. The
Judge accordingly ordered an officer 10
keep an eye on him, and notified Squire
Portman that an inquest must be held. AZ
soon a. we learned Of the tragedy We rode
10 the place, which IL situated In q little
village, mile beyond Stanford Junction,
where in little log cabin lay the unfortu.
nate woman. Only few had learned al
thst early hour Of the murder, but soon
the people began to pour in until several
hundred had gathered at the scene. The
body was lying with its face downward on
the edge Of the bed in pool Of blood,
while an open razor, which hsd been care
fully placed, rested against her head. !
was evident 10 the most casual observer
that the woman had been murdered, tho
Mundi sought hard 10 create the impress
sion that she had shielded.
The acting Coroner having arrived, the
following jury was summoned from the
bystanders: HUFF Dudderar, J. II. Will
Jams, Dennis Sullivan, George Vaughan,
VIM. A. Hail and Elisha Pence. They
we're sworn and Mundi was called to tesii-
~. He said in substance that he had come
home the evening before intoxicated, and
that after supper his wife said to him
"Mundi, why will you keep drinking this
way. Havn't told you that II You didn't
stop IL / would commit suicideg' lie
thought no more about il. but went 10 bed,
after smoking, with his little son, who
claimed that he was afraid to sleep by
himself. The bed they occupied was at
the foot Of the one his wife was In. He
fell asleep and heard no more till he
awoke In the morning and called his wife
to get up and get breakfast. He called
her several times and receiving no answer,
got up 10 find her dead. Bob Hail testi6-
ed that he had brought Mundi home be-
hind him the evening before and that he
was pretty drunk. He remarked TO him
that this was the last time he would ever
get behind him on horse. 10 Tabb was
the first man TO see Mundi after he came
out Of his house. He walked by him
some distance when Mundi turned And
told him his wifewas dead and iereated the
story OF her suicidal threat. Mrs. Tabb
heard a scream about 10 or IL o'clock at
night but paid no attention TO it. Did not
see the usual light burning in the house
that night and thought Mrs. Mundi must
be absent. Knew that Mundi and his wife
did not get along we'll. She was the 6rst
TO arrive at the house and had found the
body lying a. II now wss. Mundi was
walking up and down the floor. Mrs.
Mootry was the next TO reach the
scene, about o'clock, when she said to
Mundi, Il have been expecting this" He
was always quarreling at and beating her,
and she frequently came TO her house for
shelter and protection. At other times
Mundi would nailher up in his own house
TO prevent her from getting out Of the way
Of his cruelty. Robert Fields said Mundi
told him that his wife had killed. herself,
but that he would be charged with the
crime. Heard scream during the night
about 10 O'Clock, he thought John Cam
ter swore, that two year, ago, Mundi went
TO Mrs. Cooks to kill his wife, as he told
him. Part Of her children he said did not
belong TO him any way. Louisa Kennedy
heard Mundi say week before last while
quarreling with his wife that he would cut
her throat from ear TO ear. Mrs. O'Hsir
knew that his wife was afraid Of him and
that he had made threats against her. Josie
Moore testified that Mrs. Mundi had told
her that her husband had threatened to kill
her and that he frequently got after her
with sticks and clubs.
At this point Drs. Bionaugh and Baily
were ordered TO examine the corpse. They
turned il over on ia back and the sight
that was presented was hesrt-sickening.
The great, gaping wound on the neck in
tensi6ed the horribly distorted features.
The wound, which they both agreed was
made with some weapon not smaller than a
Ratchet, was on the right side OF the neck
some four or Eve inches in length and so
deep that the jugular, and the carotid ar
teries were severed and the bone about
half cut ia two. II was proved that Mundi
had two axes and two hatcheis. These he
was required to produee, but thorough
search Of the premises failed TO find one Of
the axes. The jury then found verdict
as follows; ave, Of the jury. find that Mrs.
c. q. Mundi came TO her death by blow
from a sharp, heavy instrument from the
hands Of @. G. Mundi." Mundi was there
upon taken in custody by Sheriff Menifee
and lodged in Jail.
The sentiment against Mundi Is very
pronounced. and We believe that leader
could easily raise mob for his hanging,
He however protests his innocence and
says that II the people think him guilty
Of such foul crime he hopes they will
swing him 10 the first limb.