The Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1865-09-30 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

AMERICAN TRAGEDY.  A frightful crime occurred at Ifartshom's Tavern, near Dedham. Court House, Boston, on the let instant, about two o'clock in the morning. The Boston Herold thus describes the tragedy : The victims were Dr. Carlos Marston and Cora Marston, Ms daughter, and the murderets was Mrs. Susannah Marston, his wife. For several years Mrs. 3laraton had been in feeble health, and some five weeks since she recovered from an attack of the measles, which apparently left her in a more prostrate mental condition than before. On Wednesday she was much prostrated and absent-minded—did not appear to know where she was, and inolulged in strange, incoherent utterances. Sin Thursday she appeared better, but presented a wild and haggard look. About three days previously she had manifested a desire to possess and manipulate her husband's revolver, and it was feared she might destroy her own life. Hence, the doctor placed the weapon in his trunk, having first drawn the charges and locked it, putting and keeping the key in his pocket. It appeared from the result that Dr. Marston entertained no serious apprehensions of violence to himself. Miss May, an invalid resident in the house, states that on Thursday night Mrs. Marston came to her room late about a disturbance which a cat below stairs was creating, and that she :Mrs. M. said something about " killing him before morning." This remark no alarmed Miss May that when the doctor visited her to leave her medicine or instructions still later at night, she told him of Ills wife's remark, and he replied that he was going to bed and would lock his door. Whether he did this or not is not known, as no one now living saw him alive subsequently. Miss May now dropped asleep. About two o'clock she says she was awakened by a noise which seemed to her like scuffling, and a fall overhead She presently heard the report of a pistol, and, comprehending the condition of affairs at once, she immediately arose, and crossing one or two apartments, passed to the foot of the stairs in the front entry. Here, being afraid to go upstairs, she called loudly two or three times to the doctor, but from him she received no response, for at that time he was probably still in death. Mrs. Marston, however, appeared at the head of the stairs without a light, and in a firm, cairn tone, which seemed to indicate method in her madness, ordered Miss NI ay to go to her room and remain quiet under the penalty of having her brains blown out. The frighteneu girl could but obey, and after hastily throwing on her clothing she went out in quest of help. She first met a Mrs. Hartshorn, who resided in the other part of the house, and who haul also heard the noise, and they together went after BOHM of the neighbours. Before they left the house two additional shots were heard, and ere they returned two others, accompanied with groans. Having procured the assistance of two or three men, they returned to the house. The party went upstairs and first visited Dr. Marston's chamber. Here a ghastly spectacle presented itself. On the bed lay the doctor upon his back; and resting upon one arm, which was partially around her neck, while her neck reclined upon his shoulder, lay the body of Mrs. Marston. Both were quiet, niotionless, dead ; and the revolver was found in the bed. The room of Cora, the daughter, INSS next visited. This apartment was little distant from the la-st-mentioneol room, in tire back part of the house, and was approached through a long corridor or entry way. Here another heartrending sight presented itself to the gaze of the observers. Cora lay upon the floor near her bed, her face turned downwards, her clothing saturated with blood, and her face discoloured with it. A very strong oulour of chloroform pervaded the house, and a three-ounce bottle, nearly empty, was found. It was clear that the murderess had used it to stupify her victims before finally taking their lives. The doctor had received one shot through the lungs, Mrs. Marston one through the chest and one through the heart, and the little girl one in the back and none in the head. Which of the two was first shot is uncertain, and it is believed that when Mrs. Marston got up—which she did, although we have not hitherto mentioned it—on the night in question, saying she was going in to sleep with Cora, that she then applied the chloroform to the tatter; then returned and administered it to her husband ; next shot him, then killed Cora; and, lastly, after returning to her husband's bed, shot herself.