West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-03-28
HORRIBLE MURDER.
The Terrible eutChery Of a Wiic.
Aud the uurdercr'- Attempt 60 Sever Itt,
own JuguIRr -Ibro ,cs of thc Cause.

PrrrRSBUEo, It'll, March 90 Charles
Houlden, farmer living near herr, butch.
erred his wife i'm most brutal manner last
night. He and his family. consisting OF
five persons, were sitting at the supper
table when few unpleasant words passed
between him and his wife. suddenly the
former arose from the table ami began
smashing up the chairs and break ng other
things within his reach. Mrs. Houlden
arose from the table, and saving that she
had stood his abuse as long as She intended
10, and, calling 10 the children, she began
TO make preparations TO quit the house. See.
ing this, Houlden stepped into hall.
way, seized an ax; returned 80 the room
md struck Mrs Houlden on the side of the
mead, knocking her down. Then drawing
ms KNIFE from his pocket he drew IL across
nor throat from car TO ear, uud thinking
She was dead started TO leave the house.
As he got 10 the door Mrs. Homlo raised
up ON her elbows and begged that her life
nllGht be spared until she could saw a 'Cvv
words. Her husband again returned and cut
another mortal wound in the side of her
neck and stabbed her i'm several places
about the breast and shoulders. At this
Poiht' the boy, twelve years old, the
only one IN the room save tho man and
W"non-th" three girls having run out OF
the house at the first of the Proceedings
made an effort To- Interfere in his mutnCr's
behalf. The frantic father dealt him
a blow with the knife, which struck
MN IN the palm Of the hand, ucurly sew
cilng his four fingers. Not satisfied with
MS hellish work, he returned once more
To the dying woman and threw his weight
on her, mortally injuring hcr inter-
nallN, and then left the manglcd form of the
woman with her head living ON the door
step. The alarm wRs immediately given
posse lt, fli ION, n,
hty sheriff Stevens and Constable Clnry
started IN pursuit OF the murderer aud sue.
ccedod IN tracking the man 70 "A haV-Stack
about a quarter Of "A mile from the scene ~
the muir Ter. There h" was found
about nine o'clock this morning, lying
on his face, with an ugly cash
cut IN bis throat and the knife still grasped
IN his hand. When ordered 10 surrender.
he willingly did SO. Medical aid was sum.
moned, and the wound, which was nothing
more than flesh cut, was dressed. Tho
murderer was brought mere and Jailed.
lie Is aged nifty, has resided in this county
a number OF years, Is pretty well fixed
financially, and has always seemed 20 he
peaceable, although his family relations
nave not been the huppieSt IL seems to be the
opinion of great many mere that he has
premeditated the deed. and vns only
Carpenter case. He probably thought il
jury would acquit Carpenter be
might be acquitted also II hc should
commit the murder This theory ~
borne out by the ftst that about half an
hour before the crime was cornnitto1
HOulden met Mr.. Sutton near his residence
ana inquired particularly how the Carpen.
Ter trial had terminntcd. Ife seaned s1urn.
what pleased when told oil the sncuuittaI
ana alter few questions strOde into the
house. just as the prisoner arrived at tho
jail the wagon containing his wife's coffin
passed the Dlacc