Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-06-01
CHEATED THE GALLOVS
MURDERER HILL CUTS HIS THROAT WITH A
OLASP-KNIFE.
His Wife Died at Four O'Clock Yesterday Morn.
ing-He Heard the News in His Cell and
Ended His Wretched Lifa

Few more brutal crimes have ever
been committed in this vicinity than the
brutal and murderous assault by Charles
Hill, of Clarington, upon his wife about
two weeks ago, A Ratchet was the
weapon used and from the terrible blows
received the wife fingered, suffering in
tense agony, until yesterday morning
when she died.
The murderer in jail at Woodsheld
exclaimed when arrested that II his wife
lived he wanted to live, and il she died
he wanted to die. When he received
news yesterday morning OF the
death of Mrs. Hill, he Immediately
proceeded to carry out his wishes ex-
pressed at that time. Using an ordi-
nary clasp knife he cut his throat from
ear to ear and died in few minutes.
Mrs. HIPS condition since the MUIR
derous assault of her husband, has been
chronicled almost daily in the REGISTER.
The cuts on her head had all healed
nicely, with the exception of large one
on the back Of the skull, and it was
thought she would recover. This wound,
however, refused to heal, and finally
caused her death. Monday night she
grew worse, and began to sink, her
friends realizing that death was lnevlta-
Bile. At about four o'clock yesterday
morning, surrounded by her relatives
and friends, she breathed her last.
The news of the death of Mrs. Hill
reached Woodsfield, where her husband
was confined in jail, early yesterday
morning, and caused intense excite
ment. 1t was the general subject OF
conversation, and while everybody ex-
pressed sorrow for Mrs. Hill, and SYM
pathy for her relatives, there was strong
talk OF lynching the prisoner. Some
demonstration would probably have
been made against Hill last night, but
an unlocked for event occurred, the
prisoner taking his own life.
HILL SUICIDES.
Reclining in his cell Hill was one OF
the first to receive the news OF his
wiie's death. He Immediately deter
mined to cheat the gallows by ending
his wretched existence by his own hand.
The Prosecuting Attorney and two
physicians started for Darlington to
ascertain the truth or falsity of the re-
port of Mrs. HIPS death, and had only
fairly started when Sheriff Peirson, ac-
companied by two guards, went into the
cell of prisoner Hill for the purpose OF
removing him to what was thought to
be more secure quarters, as he feared
that the Infatuated citizens would take
the law in their own hands when they
learned Of Mrs. Hill's death.
A shocking sight met his gaze,
living upon the floor OF the rude cell,
dressed only in his Undertaking, lay
the murderer, Charles Hill, with his
throat cut from ear to ear, and the
blood flowing from the CHASTITY wound.
Life was already extinct. Lying beside
him on the floor was q clasp knife, Its
blood-stained blade telling the story OF
the deed. The weapon used was
black-handled case knife, which was
old and rusty, but had been sharpened
recently.
The news of the suicide of Hill, fol-
lowing so closely upon that OF the death
of his victim, spread rapidly, and
caused a sensation in the little town of
Woodsfeld.
A LETTER FROM HILL.
While confined in Jail Hill wrote
letter to his mother, asking that his
wife live with his parents, and also ask
ing them to take charge OF his little
girl. The two boys, he said, should be
turned out. He prayed his father and
mother to forgive him for the trouble
he had caused them, and
asked them to bury him at
Darlington. This letter must have been
written before he learned OF the death
of his wife, as he asked his parents to
allow her to live with them. II such
was the case, he had probably for sew
eral days been contemplating suicide.
The means by which he came into pos
session OF the knife are unknown.
In accordance with HIPS wishes, his
body will be buried at Darlington. The
remains will be sent from Woodstield
this morning at five o'clock.