Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-07-28
A Civilized Thnr.
HOW FRANK HUTCHINs, FORMERLY OF THIS c
NUKDEREp his EISTkESS IN CnIn b. DON

HOW FRANK HUTCHINS FORMERLY OF THIS CITY,
MURDERED HIS MISTRESS COLD BLOOD,
One OF the most cold blOOded murders which has
been perIetrated In years committed in the
Brown house, San Francisco, on Wednesday eve
ming, the 10th inst. The murderer, Frank Hutch
ns, and his victim, Mrs. Nettie S1InmS, were both
formerly residents OF this city. The antecedents
OF the parties and the story OF the crime is In sub
stance as follows :-HutchinS was born In Ports
mouth, \. d., and when young man he came TO
this City. where he was employed as a bartender
and her daughter, Nettie Peck. He kept company.
with the girl Tor q while, but they became eS-
ranged and he went into the navy. Through a
friend liutchins finally communicated with the
girl, and while at Mare Island he received letter
from her. stating that she had married a man
dren. She proposed joining him in San Francisco
after his enlistment expired, and as it was agree
able to him, she did So They kept house together
In debt. and they finally separated AT last, on
the evening OF the murder, he went to
her house, and he tells the story OF the
murder follows 1--WE went to the room and as
soon as we were inside she bolted the door and sat
On Il rocking chair, while sat Oh the bed In the
conversation that followed she charged me with
drinking to excess, and spoke to her about the
manner In which she s1uandered money. and
finally charged her with having kept the company
OF other men. AS said this she rose, ana In a
very positive manner said: IN go with whatever
men please, whenever please, and you have not
made me do it, but her words made ne loose con-
troll sOf myself and sprang from the bed, yrasped
her by the throat with both hands, completely
enc1rclins her neck with my fingers. then with
all my might pressed both thumbs against the
Adams apple and cried out, Il will kill YOU
She resisted some, and with her hands partly
lOOsened my hold, and In doing SO scratched the
back OF my right hand. Before could grasp her
again she screamed murder and moved toward
the window, and when near there we both fell l
got Il firm hold OF her neck, again encrced it,
using all my force, and then held her on the floor
which l left the room. but did not lock the door.
then went down stairs into a saloon, and called
for a glass Of whisky, rendering dollar in pay
clock and asked: It's O'Clock, is it net?' Yes
answered the barkeeper. Then said to the bar
keeper. but do not know why said it: Don't for
get that at o'clock tonight. got drink OF
whisky from you and gave you dollar and you
gave me change l then returned to room 90
In the Brown house, and there the floor still lay
Nettie- noticed some froth on her lips and went
TO wipe 1t of, when felt warmth OF her cheek
and observed twitchlng or the muscles, SO l
thought life was not extinct and therefore | took
my silk handkerchief and tied 1t around her neck
with square knot. This did to make a sure job.
then raised her head. pat a pillow under it,
sDlootiIed her dress" The murderer then coolly
surrendered himself to the police.
WHAT Is KNOWN OF THE PARTIES IN THIS CITY.
The deceased was known here as Jeanette Peck,
and was remarkably fine looking woman. Her
father came from the east, and was TOR many years
employed as Waterman at the Capitol. residing
on I'll street east, ST. Peters church, where he
died Of smallpox in July, 1872. leaving Il widow and
two children. The deceased was married 10 James
Smms. October 3lst, 1875. by Rev. DR.. j. S. Deale.
then stationed at Waugh u. E. church, she being
then but seventeen years OF age. SmlnS was then
employed in some Of the hotels of this city, ana is
still living here Hutch1nS made his appearance
here seven or eight years ago, and was regarded
as a friend to the family. He was employed as a
barkecper He left here about i've years ago and
went to California. and about the middle Of 1882
SmnS left his wife and family (tNo children.
About Christmas. 1882, the mother CMrs. Peck with
Mrs simns and her TWO children, left for Califor
MIA. leaving but one member OF the family here. a
sister, who Is married and is residing on Capitol
Hill. 1t is said that Mrs Peck has married since
She went to California.