The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-04-17
HERE'S A STRANGE STORY.

Young Woman Confesses to Murder Under
Press of Religious Excitement
The Journal today relates a story from
real life in whish are interviewer love,
Conspiracy, crime, remOrse and revelation.
There is a young couple in H~aughville.
living under the name of Albert Cox and
wife, whose surname is Hattie. This young
wife is said to have confessed to a remark
able murder story which runs thus. as told
by the Journals informant:
Two years ago they were lovers in Gin
~cinnatI. The girl, who is not yet past
twenty years of age and is pretty. had
another sultor. a man of middle age. a
widower and well-to-do. lie paid assidu-
Gus court. directly as far as the girl per-
mitted and indirectly through the parents.
who were partial to him owing to his Law
ish expenditure OF money in the way of
presents. etc. The home life of the
daughter was, therefore. in q cloud.
Faithfulness to her hearts wv desire
combated with filial duty. IL became q
case OF Polydor. The parents saw an easier
life for themselves IN the union of their
daughter to the rich sutton. whose grown
children seemed no obstacle in their way.
A mortgage lay upon their property. Tn
rich sutton promised that it should be
lifted, If the daughter would bestow her
hand upon him.
1t may we'll be supposed that the youth
full lovers talked over the influences that
threatened their marriage. The younger
suitOr was driven from the house. and the
young woman forbidden to receive his
company. 1t was an act with an unfore-
- I-aalFr an-nnoo M fha afnrU
will show. Jealousy and hatred were its
fruits In the heart of the rebuffed sutton.
and the demons united to b-eget-murder.
The lovers grew desperate. and resolved
not to permit the will of the selfish parents
to be carried out. They were resolved to
run away. But that would take money.
MURDER DECIDED UPON.
The evil spirit that was raging IN the
young lovers breast devised an awful
scheme to obtain o supply of money. 1t
occurred TO him that the richer sutton
should himself pay the forfeit of money
and his life. 1t was no easy matter to per-
suade the daughter 20 agree to such q
course. but every influence that the heart
OF man can bring to bear upon
the heart of woman was used,
and il won. It was agreed that
she should seem to accept the offer of the
elder sutton in consideration of $1,000 and
should make ar agreement with him to
meet HIM on the Ludlow-street bridge.
The money was to be paid her there. The
reason to be given for such q place of meet
ing was that 1t would afford her freedom
from the pursuit of Cox, who. she told the
other. was forcing himself upon her when
ever she left her house.
Late one June night two figures were
seen to approach from either side. md
they met at the middle of the bridge.
1t was q dark night. and IL o'clock. The
starlight was partly Obscured by clouds.
aud the only sound was the swishing of
the waters of the muddy Ohio below.
lis that you. HattIef' said a voice. IL
was that of the victim of the plot:
"'Yes. have you the money! i can't be
your wife unless you keep your word
Very well, dear. You will find me true.
Here il is. 1 could not raise quite all, but
here is 1857. Will that not be enough for
the PRESENT. / will pay you the balance
soon. Will yon keep your wordP
she hesitated q moment, and seemed to
be about TO reel In q faint. 1t was q fear
full moment to her. Her courage seemed to
be vsnquIshed in q faesh. She caught her
self. set her teeth and burst out On impul-
sive
Yea
II SIGNAL WAS A COUGH.
She coughed. IL was q p-esrrsnged sig
nal for the conspiracy TO reach its climax.
Cox rushed forward from q shadowy nook.
and struck the victim q cruel blow with q
1~rnch-pin on the head. He was a rail-
Ioader. q brakeman. and the heavy bar
was handled with fearful effect. There
was no scream. and the fall of the body
made no sonnd-
Quick exclaimed Cox, over the side
with him. and there were muttered oaths
as both took the body and whirled it into
1t indeed the bludgeon had not done It's
work. The guilty couple did not stop to
watch the plunge of the body, but hurried
back to the city. Nobody saw them on the
bridge. and their secret seemed safe.
THE CONFESSION CONES.
Cox and the girl soon came to this
city. They settled in Stringtown. Cox
obtained employment on the Peoria d.
vision of the Big Four. and he
aud his wife. as she is known.
went to boarding at John A. Barrett's.
on Springfield street. He was absent q
great deal of time from home, and his wife
soon became well known among the
women of the Deighborhood. her mode of
living giving her much time TO visit. 1t Is
a religious locality. and the people are or
the character of those who follow Mrs.
WITH , pcCulitl btyio " L CNhbkcllom.
A pr0tracted meeting began with the year.
under the preaching of Rev. Smith. q
man with q strong voice and q capacity for
exhortlng and praying. The people of the
community assembled night after night.
Great excitement prevailed &C times, and
men and women of emotional natures
would occasionally fall into frances. The
altar was q popular place. The multitude
was giy rushing to the mercy seat.
her nelghbors were all deeply concerned
about their souls. and Mrs. Cox became q
regular attendant at the meetings..
SHE SEEMED POSSESSED.
Mrs. Cox went to the altar, but she
could find no peace. no rest. That
which same to so many at her side.
and so easily. was denied her.
One night the preacher dwelt upon
the necessity of confession of sins
as the only wsy to obtain remission.
Her soul seemed on the rack. Her sobs and
cries from the altar bench were distress
ing. A friend, a Mrs. Poisel. who
lived near Mrs. Barrett's. went and knelt
by her side. She is q very devOut woman.
fluent IN prayer. and seemingly rich in
faith. She knelt by the young woman's
stricken side. aud began a prayer for the
latters particular needs. 1t was an appeal
10 bless with remission of sins, to soften
stony hearts. to break stubborn wills. IL
WAS a long supplIeatlon. and had reached a
high point OF earnestness. The pinIons of
prayer seem TO have carried her into "A re-
gion where natural conditions did not al
together hamper.
"0h Lord God.r she cried ont. 'show me