The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1884-04-12

WAS II MURDKR-A SAD CASE On
WHAT APPEARS TO BIZ DElIBERArK In
FANTrcIDE-THE EvIpKKcE GIVEN TO
THE CoRoNER's JuRr.-A sad story
OF what appears to be a case Of in
fanticide comes to rs from near New
/ Brownsville, Clay District. A Young
woman named Malinda Willard on
Saturday March 29th gave birth to a
child in stable, which she threw
against the stable wall and killed.
The story as related to us is about
as follows: The young woman who
is 19 or 20 years old is the daughter of
Elias Willard poor hut honest and
industrious man who lives near Pen
tress. This girl with several younger
sisters was left motherless when quite
small. their father being away from
home nearly all his time at work.
Thus the opportunities Of the girls
were very limited. For some time
past it was whispered by the neigh
bors that all was not right with Ma.
linda, yet she managed TO conceal her
condition from her father and sisters,
until Saturday March goth when feel
ing the pains and agony of confine-
ment approaching the poor creature
ran to the COW stable and alone and
without the knowledge or assistance
of human being gave birth to a
child. She then staggered to her feet
throwing the babe into corner and
covering it with dirt and stone at
tempted to get back to house. Her
sister discovered her just as she was
about to sink down exhausted, and
took her to the house. A physician
was called who gave her medicine to
relieve her suffering and left her rath
err comfortable but in very danger
GUS condition. Her suffering caused
numerous visits from kind hearted
neighbors by some of whom the child
was discovered. The matter weigh
ing upon her mind very heavily, She
finally called Matilda Stewart to
whom she said. "Go TO the upper
corner Of the COW stable and there you
will find my misfortune, little boy
baby. Bring it to the house and
wash it as well as can; wrap it up,
put it in box and give it to father;
he will put it away, and don't tel! it. !"
The matter was known before this
confession was made by the nnfortu-
nate girl. The attention of Squire
s. p. Tenant was called to the
matter. who summoned Jury and
acted as Coroner. The evidence taken
before the jury is given in full below,
together with the verdict.
The precarious condition Of the
girl prevented her arrest and removal
to Jail; but we learn, that II she rccov-
ers, she will be arrested and lodged
in Jail to await the action of the
Grand Jury.
The author Of the girls ruin is said
to be a man who lives near Manning
ton.
EVIDENCE OF DIR. O. M. FLETCHER.
Question, What caused The death
Of the male infant just examined by
you at the residence of Elias Willard?
Answer, 1t met its death, no doubt,
by violence. There were two blows
on the head, one on the hip and an
injury on the priyates, and dirt in the
mouth; either OF the four causes was
sufficient to cause its death.
Q. Were you satisfied, on examina-
ton, it ever brcathed?
A. Yes; / am satisfied it was born
alive and breathed.
EVIDENCE OF DR.. THOMPSON sTRossIDEk.
@. What caused the death of the
male infant examed by you at Elius
Wizards?
A. Violence. ! saw two blows on
the head; lasceration Of the scrotum,
and its mouth filed with dirt. Either
of which was sufficient to produce
death.
@. Are you satisfied the child was
born alive?
A. Yes, am satisfied il was born
alive and breathed. Malinda Willard
voluntarily admitted to me that 1t
was her child and that she put it in
the corner of the stable on the ground
and covered it with a stone and some
dirt. She said she did not know
whether it was living when born
or not.
TESTIMONY OF ExNA WRIGHT.
Q. When and where did you find
the remains of the child we viewed
to-day?
A. On Saturday March Goth in the
corner Of the COW stable at the resi-
dence Of Elias Willard.
: @. In what condition did you find
it?
A. Covered with a stone and some
dirt.
Q. Did you know whose child it
was?
A. 1t was Malinda Willard's. She
told her father in my presence that
the child was hers.
@. Do You know who put the child |
in the corner of the stable?
"A. i do not.
@. What did you do on finding the |
child?
A. left it as / found it.
@ Who was with you when you
found the child?
A. Sarah Ann Willard.
@. Did you help remove the child
from the COW stable To the house?