Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-26
MANIAC MoTHERs ACT.
Draining Her Children While some of
Them Slept,
From the PAuadelp1ia Prses

From tho PAiladeiphid PrSes.
kEYPORT, N. j., April 23.-Seven miles
south OF This village, on the back road to
Port Monmouth, there is little one-stOry
and attic house, picturesquely pitched in
the centre of large field, and lanked by
a stream OF running water. IT is the resi-
Gence OF farmer j. Monroe smith, and
was to-day the scene OF a tragedy far
more appalling than any that Monmouth
county has ever known, albeit the lynch
Ing OF "MingO JacR' occurred within its
now notorious territory.
Mr.. Smith, who is 10 years OF age, has
VIE dozen years younger than himself,
and six children, AGED respectively 80, IS,
Ii, IL, and years. He has cultivated
his farm so diligently that it is known far
and wide AS model property, fair, too.
TO look upon with its neat hennery and
hot-houses. But the neighbOrs knew that
for all its thrift and signs Of happiness
there was a skeleton on The farm whose
presence rendered the Smith family OBJ
Jects OF pity rather than envy.
1t was fully twelve years ago when Mrs.
Smith, losing child at birth, also lost
her mind, and was sent to an asylum for
treatment. she was absent about year
and returned apparently cured and over
ioyed to greet her children. Yet the
memory OF her life in the asylum seemed
constantly present to her mind, and she
often lmplOred her husband never to send
her there again. AS time wore away and
the wOTan's intellect gave no further ev-
idence of insanity, the routine lite of the
farm returned and once more the Smith
family rmed happy, as it ought to be in
its pretty house among the trees.
Ali went well until he early autumn of
last year. Mrs. Smith then complained
OF severe pains in her head, aud. thinking
perhaps cnange OF scene would benefit
her, Mr.. Smith sent her to Elizabeth, at
the home of her brother. She remained
few months and returned plainly i'm
proved
PREPARING FOR MURDER AND SUICIDE.
Mrs. Smith arose about 5 O'Clock this
morning, having retired rather early last
night aud awOke her husband. They breaR e.
tasted together and parted, Mrs. Smith
proceeding 10 the hennery and her nus
band to the hot houses, which are about
100 yards distant from the dwelling.
Reaching the hennery the woman took
from her pocket package of "ROugh on
Rats that she had concealed in the house
for three years, and, emptying generous
dose in the palm of her hand, DELHI
erately swallowed it. She then seized an
AK and, hiding it under her dress, re-
turned to the house.
Edna, the 4.year-ol daughter, was
sleeping soundly when her mother en-
tered the be0-chamber. Pausing an in
slant the maniac woman lifted the ak and
brought it swiftly down on the head of
her sleeping child. rwO more blows and
Edna's skull was split in twain. Then
rushing into the bedroom of Rufus, her
l3-year-Old son, the frenZied mother dealt
hum three or four savage blows on the
head with the blunt end of the ak. Lutte
Bessie, the 11-year-old daughter, knelt
praying with clasped hands, for she had
seen the horrible deed OF her mother, who
now, turning wildly about, poised her AK
aloft and glared madly down at the pal
lid, implOring face of her child. Bessie
begged for mercy, but the terrible blood
stained ak whired in the air and went
crashing into the fragile little head.
Four were now injured, and the maniac
murderess retraced her steps towards the
adjoining room, in which were her IS
year-Old daughter and the baby of years.
A single startled glance told the former
Of her mothers crime and intent, and she
sprang gasping at the door to close it. A
fierce struggle ensued, but she finally sue
ceeded in locking the door on the inside
ana then, laying the child on the floor. ran
screaming outside to apprise her father of
the awful work within
She met him at the door, for meanwhile
the hOusekeeper, a faithful cOlOred woman,
who, it seems. witnessed the murder of
Bessie. had hurried ahead and notified
him. After terrible struggle the woman
was secured.
ONE DEAD AND THREE DYING.
One of the children is dead and the three
others are likely to die before morning.
Mrs. Smith is herself in very precariOus
condition, and her husband is Frustrated
by the shock. Coroner Smith, of Red
Bank, held the inquest.