Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1890-07-12
4 IHlurriIlIocriiilIIale!!
Two W omen Fa-
tally Cut and
Both Dying!
WilIett the Butcherin Irons!

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On Wednesday afternoon this COM
munity was startled with the announce
ment that murder again stalked abroad.
This time two victims. both women.
living on the road from Locust
vile to Accomac Court House,
i were struck dow in road day. The
first news came by the messenger for
the doctor followed almost immediately
by the man. whose butcher knife had
drunk deep of the Hood of these poor
women, coming to deliver himself 10
the tender justice Of Accomac. The
man was Thomas Willett. known as
Gray Goose. the victims Mahaia Wat
son and her daughter Ginme Watson.
WilIett has been long known AS a repro
bate, and the women of Il low order Of
syrens. For three years Willett and
the daughter have lived, with the
mother. as man and wife, albeit I'M
blessed by priest or tied by license. For
some time the brute in Willette.has
cropped out in frequent maul;ngs of
Ginnie, the last of which was so severe
as made her determine to rid herself of
him. On "Wednesday morning Willett
went 10 Lccustyille and brought home a
package of lard, Willett said 1T WAS 4
pound of lard.' Ginnie said. it was a
lie it wasn'ta pound.' Willett replied,
it's damned lie. They quarrelled on
until the mother, to stop 1t, sug-
to Ginnie to 60 blackberrying. They
took their pals and accompanied by
Ginnie's sister, girl Of about II years
and daughter CT Mahala. they started
for the blackberry fields, leaving Willett
b.hind.
lie watched their going, located them,
saw the way was clear of persons who
might interrupt him. slipped into the
house. took from the !rrreau drawerhis
keen edged butcher knife and placing it
In his shirt bosom started on his road to
cut 10 kill as lie exp essed it. Reach
ing lie spot he went over into the field
where Ginnie washer mother being
yet in The rcad-md approaching her
asked her to lend lin her little knife.
She did so. He then asked her If she
intended 10 do anys,ing more for limp
Go away, Tom she replied, and let
me alore.' lie cpught her, threw her
down, and drawing the murderous
butcher knife With rapid strokes plunged
it three times into her shrinking body;
once two inches below the heart, once
| in The left side whence protruded the
stomach, once in the back just above
the right lip clear to the hollow The
mother jumped over the fence, thrust
! Willett aside, and the girl springing to
her feet ran rapidly as her wounds per-
United homeward. At once Willett
turned like tiger on the unfortunate
mother and drove the bloody knife in
her back asalmost the same spot as the
back wound of Ginnie, As she turned
he lightly gashed her on the right cheek,
and when she ran shrieking yonder
comes Mr.. Oliver!' ripped her down the
back. Her CRIES caused him to stop.
She sped on and with her daughter
reached the yard of their home, where
exhausted and covered wit! blood, they
! fell. te:ring from their gashed bodies
their clothing as they writhed in agony.
A neighbor came. and with the younger
daughter and SONS managed to get them
in the one-room house where this family
of seven lived. and sent for the doctor.
Meantime Willett turned, carrying
with evident satisfaction the dripping
knife in his hand toward the Court
House, On his way he boosted of his
prowess and showed the bloody weapon
as proof. For one man to whom lie
showed the knife he bore bad blood and
as he offered to get over the fence that
it might be inspected, he was CURLY
told it would he best for him to stay
where he was. lie took the advice aud
went on to The Court House.
! Tie messenger arrived and sent down
DR.. ]. Fl. Ayres. On his way the mes
senger overlook Wiilett and persuaded
him to give the knife to him. He did
so, and it was turned over to Constable
Gunter. who, on the arrival of Wlllett
confessing and Boosting of his horrible
work, arrested and turned him over to
Jailor Nelson. M. Nelson with CHAR
acteristic regard tor the comfort OF
such prisoners. speedily put him within
the thick walls of the dungeon and
ornamented him with bracelets of steel.
There he lies waiting the results Of
his cut to kill as he exultingly called
it.
Reaching the wounded ones Dr..
Ayres sent messenger for Or. Scar
burgh. and by them necessary surgical
care was rendered and the victims
made as comfortable as possible. Both
the doctors were Of opinion that
neither of the women could live, as
perltonitis would inevitably set in, and
both were much weakened from loss of
blood, so Attorney for the Common
wealth Fletcher and Justice L. F. j..
Wilson near midnight of Wednesday
took the dying declaration. substantial
Iy that written here Of Mahala Watson.
Her daughter. buoyed by youth and
hope, believed she might recover and
her declaration was not taken.
The scene at the house was horrible.
| t1.ol a., @I,o ,ori blooL ooalyinr n, H.