Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-01-19
A WIFE MURDERER
NOR. Tass Twenrs-slvta YEARS.
Recognized BY Former Aequaintanes,
the Wolf in Sleeps Cloth
ing Departs,
AND NOW THE POLICE MOURN.

BurrsLo, January ls.-The Police De-
partment and residents Of the southern por-
ton Of this city are greatly stirred up over
q charge Of murder made against . man
who has hitherto borne the best Of reputa-
ton, but whose actions in leaving the city
have forced people into the belief that tho
charge is true.
Some time since 0 canal boat captain
named Flannery, Of Kingston, N. Y, while
passing up Hamburg street. this city, recog.
nized in fagman Of the Lake Shore and
Michigan Southersi Railroad ct that crossing
man who in 1858, lad murdered his wife,
who was q niece and adopted daughter Of
Flannery. To make sure Of bis man, Elan
merry asked his vile to take look at hiua,
and she agreed that il was the murderer.
who was known as John Batter. but on be-
ing asked his name he denied it although
known BY the name here for the past IL
wears. The boatman told the foreman Gf
the warehouse here the story OF the murder.
and said that he would send man here who
would be sure TO know Butler, even though
he had lost an arm
Recogni.. i, and Knew Il
In about two weeks another man came
from Kingston, and walking past Butler
recognized him, and nj once went Tor an
officer. Butler recognized him at the same
time, and giving his flag to . bystander
started for his home, out Of which he was
coming when the Kingston man and Ser
psant Mcclure were passing
The officer was asked TO arrest the man
and refused unless he had warrant, As the
fiagman was q near neighbor and was
known as q steady, temperate man.
In the meantime the hagman went to the
bank, drew $500 he had on deposit there,
and left the city. not having been heard
from since. The Kingston man ct once
preferred charges against the officer, and
told the Superintendent Of Police the story
of the murder. According TO his statement.
Flannery brought up the murdered woman
and educated her as his own daughter.
After a time she married Butler. In 1858
she was drowned. the husband claiming it
was accidental. Sufficient evidence. how
ever was brought before the Coroners jury
for him to be charged with brutal murder.
The womans body was found in 9 little
creek running near town, and but little
Evidence OF Violence
could be found on il, il any. Yet the testi'
mony set forth that Butler had gotten bis
wife down to the creek, mufiled her screams
and threw her into the water, holding her
head under BY main force until life Was ex.
tinct. A warrant was issued fol his arrest
but he had escaped, and from that day 70
this had not been seen near eithse kingston
or Rondout
Flannery claimed he had tsasslsd the
country over searching for The nuedsres,
but without being able TO captuse Mn until
he discovered him in this city. Ihs 6apsr-
intendent wrote the Rondout pollse Artlcri'
ties in relation TO the affair bst - - yet
been unable to obtain an ausese. sspec-
intendent Mcclure was Md befors
the Board Of Police. asA. In
consequence Of his neglect. We rsdsesd "a
the ranks The case excites gses4 ietercst
here and the police are coniidsnt ct cap
turing the murderer if satisfscosgy iniofma'
tion is received from the Ronlout authoh,
ties, especially as he can b idesti6sd b
the loss of an arm and peculiar scat q
his face.