Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-11-17
AN INHUHAN FIEND.
A wife's Perfidy Causes the Murder Of
Family.

A Wite's Perndy Causes the h"ucA va -
Family.
WHITE RIVER, ONT, November 16.-
For some weeks past large number OF
employees of the Canadian Pacific railroad
have been engaged about here in prepar-
ing the track for the winter. which Is JUS
setting in. Among this force there was
one, Richard X. O'Brien, a handsome
young fellow about thirty years OF age
and general favorite among his eompan-
ions. He hailed from somewhere, so
he said, in the maritime provinces, and
had travelled extensively. When first he
came here to work he met Mrs. Charles
Williams, the wife of a country store
keeper, and from his acquaintance tres
passed until he had worked up apparently
position in the family circle which only
most intimate friends might attain. Living
in the same family with Mr.. and Mrs.
Williams were the father and mother Of
the husband, as well as three small chill
dren of the wife.
For the past six weeks Williams has
suspected his wife of infdelity, and laid
trap to catch her. Taking the train for
Chaplean, Ontario, he left word that he
would be absent over night, but instead OF
going on to his destination he took the re-
turn train from way station, and so ar
rived at home about seven last night,
when, proceeding TO his home, he opened
the outer door with a latch Key
and entered. Going to his room he
found there his wife in bed with OBrien.
Taking heavy walking-stick which he
carried he dealt the intruder blow upon
the face as he was rising from the bed.
O'Brien quickly recovered himself, and,
catching his pants from the foot OF the
bed. drew O revolver and shot Williams
dead. The noise attracted the other occu-
pants of the house, and, to shield his
crime, O'Brien shot the father as he was
entering the room partially dressed.
Having no more cartridges as the old
lady put in an appearance and screamed,
startled by the sight other husband lying
weltering in his hfe's blood, the murderer
seized heavy chair and struck such
cruel blow as laid her senseless before him.
To conclude the devilish work begun, he
beat her until her head was reduced to a
pulp with heavy stick of stove wood pro
cured from an adjoining room. Two OF
the three children were then disposed OF
with the same club which ended the eX-
istence of the old lady. The little boy,
the youngest and only eighteen months
old. was spared, as he could bear no evil
dence against the murderer.
All the remonstrances of Mrs Williams
were unayailing. She was threatened
with instant death if she did not keep
uuiet, and after the murder the wretch
went again to bed and remained there for
some hours with his paramour, when he
arose. and, taking a clasp-knite from his
pocket, stabbed her four times about the
region of the heart and left her for dead
He then fired the house and left bur-
riedly. Attracted by the flames, neigh
bors came to the relief and succeeded
in removing the bodies of the killed and
Mrs. Williams and the infant from the
burning building. Mrs. Williams lived
long enough to make statement OF the
affair to the authorities, and then expired.
The officers of the law were quickly III
search of the assassin, and lie was arrested
about twenty-five miles from the scene OF
the tragedy. He denied the crime, ana
claims to be able to prove an alibi. There
are, however, many circumstances against
him, and it is more than probable the
murderer will be lynched.