Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1889-09-27
NerVed With WhiSkey.

| BELLEFoNTE, Pa, Sept. 23.-Within the
past eighteen months there have been sew
eral murders committed in the vicinity of
Phillipsburg; yet none caused one-tenth
the excitement occasioned by the killing of
his wife and mother-in in-law by W 5. Hep
kins. So intense was the feeling that the
crowd which collected around the Hopkins
dwelling discussed seriously the expedien-
cy of punishment by lynching, and proba-
bly, were only prevented by the presence
of few cool headed men and the officers
expedition in transferring Hopkins to a
place of safety until he could be brought
here to the county Jail.
I have investigated the crime and the
| cause thereof and find that the only incen-
tive was jealousy. Three years ago, W. 5.
Hopkins, of Houtzdale, aged twenty-six,
married Miss Maggie Wigeman, of Phillips
burg. Seely, as he was familiarly known,
was young man generally respected and
seemed in every way worthy of the prize
he obtained. For year all went well.
Mr. Hopkins is a carpenter by trade and
made considerable money. The Hopkins
home was an alluring place for the visits
of the many young friends who enjoyed
the acquaintance of the young couple.
About this time the young husband be-
gan to think his wife willingly received
and graciously bestowed too much atten-
tion on other young men, and from that
time the home has been the scene of con
tinued disagreements, quarreling and fight
ing.
That the act was not the impulse of a
moment but one fully premeditated is fully
demonstrated, not alone by the letter found
on his person, but also from facts gathered
to-day from acquaintance of the family,
who say that Hopkins, when seized with a
fit of jealousy, often declared that he
would kill Maggie His love for her was
almost idolatry, and he could not bear to
see her smile on any other man. When
seized with such fits Hopkins would always
resort to whiskey. At other times he could
not be said to be Incorporate.
In defence of Mrs Hopkins those who
have known her from girlhood aver that
she never at any time overstepped the
bounds of propriety or demands of society
in her attention to any caller or guest. At
one time Hopkins left home because of the
trouble and went to New York city, where
he worked for several months at his trade,
but returned and begged to be allowed to
live with his wife, promising to break him
self of his fault.
For a while all went well, but it did not
last, and the next thing heard of was that
Seeley Hopkins had brutally beaten his
wife. The husband was arrested, tried
and punished. Last week there was an
other fight and fearful beating of his
wife. &. Hopkins was again arrested, and
this time admitted to bail. He jumped his
bail hGnd and went to Houtzdale, where
-he brooded over affairs in his home to such
an extent that the murder was not only
contemplated, but the scheme for carrying
it into execution was there fully cousum-
mated.
Leaving II outzdale late Saturday night,
he made the journey to Phillipsburg and
secreted himself in the cellar of his house
without being seen. To fortify himself for
the crime be purchased a quart bottle of
whiskey and drank it. At ten o'clock next
morning he left his hiding place in the eel
lar and went up stairs. Breakfast was over
and his wife and his mother-in law were
making preparations to go to church.
When Hopkins came upstairs his wife was
but a few steps away and with her back to
the door. He attempted to embrace her,
but, not knowing of his presence in the
house. she tore herself from his arms and
faced about in defiant attitude.
The husband, supposing that his wife
despised him, became so violently enraged
that he at oace drew his revolver and fired,
sending the bullet into her brain, causing
instant death. Facing about he was con
fronted by his wife's mother, Mrs. Wige
man. He again raised his his revolver and
this time emptied the contents into the lat
ter only however, wounding her Mrs.
Wigeman, wounded and bleeding profuse
", ran upstairs to the third story. Hop
kins followed and on reaching her in the
upper hallway fired the fatal shot and the
woman sank to the floor dead.
Satisfied that his work was done thor
ougly, Hopkins then locked the door and
went to an outhouse, where he attempted
to kill himself. The first proving failure
he fired again, only however, grazing the
lo ,,,1-o ba,
attempt he was taken in charge by persons
attracted by the firing of the shots.
Inquiring the cause of his attempted su
icide he calmly told the crowd that he had
killed his wife and mother-in-law and was
now going to kill himself.
The news spread with wonderful rapid
ty and large crowd soon arrived eager
for all the particulars. The revolver used,
one of the latest improved English bull
dogs, was in excellent condition. When
taken from his hand it was still smoking
but empty, the entire five shots having
been used, one for his wife, two for Mrs.
Wigeman and two for himself The above
facts constitute the confession made by the
murderer in addition to facts and informa
ton elected from friends and acquaintan-
ces of all parties concerned. At the in
quest held to-day no new facts were
brought to light.
1t is feared the tragedy may have a fatal
effect on sister of Mrs. Wigeman, who
resides here and who is in delicate health.
Word was received here late tonight that
Hopkins is in a very critical condition and
may not live twenty-four hours. -Four doe
tors are in attendance and declare he is al
most beyond hope Of recovery.
REPRESENTATIVES, from every indepen-
dent government of the two American con
tinents will meet at Washington, next
week, to consider their joint interests.
NATURAL gas has displaced other fuel to
the extent of 5000, 900 tons annually, yet
the amount OF bitumnous coal mined in
Pennsylvania last year was 100000 tons
in excess of the production of any previous
year
THE Pennsylvania railroad has just com
pleted twenty-Six locomotives, built eSpec
tally for speed, on new designs. They are
built to carry 165 pounds of steam and to
have large steam producing capacity.
MRS. RACHEL STILLwAGON, of Flushing