The Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1866-09-01 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

AMERICAN TRAGEDY.  thei rook.  heard  tremen wealth  Alexander M'Connell, a native of the north of Ire'land, was a boarder with Willtam Colvin, a -woodcutter, at Olmstead, Ohio, U.S. During the temporary absence of the husband he murdered the wife, Ross , Colvin, and hid her body in a wood-pile, and thep fled. On Ins return Colvin and a friend of his, named Miller, ' Were arrested, and charged with the murder of Mrs. • Colvin and of M'Connell, and their case began to assume a serious aspect, when M'Connell was fortunately tracked and arrested in Canada West. The evidence against him, though purely circumstantial, was very strong and he was convicted and condemned to death. Shortly after his conviction he made a detailed confes— sion. From this, it appears that being left alone In the shanty, he took some of Colvin's clothes, .and deter. mined to return to Canada. When he was leaving the hut he was met by Mrs. Colvin, who at once accursed him of stealing the clothes. "She snatched up the iron poker, and, placing herself in the door, said I should not go till William got home. I insisted that I would go. She said that she would go and call in the neighbours. I got my own clothes and started to go out of the door when she struck me over the "arm with the poker. I laid down the clothes, and think I struck her then with my flit, It latiocked her down. She got up and struck at me. Am not sure if she struck me or not. I seized a stick of wood and struck her—l think on the back of the head. She fell. She jumped up and struck me over the head with the poker. I staggered back against the wall, seized an axe and struck her on the head one blow. She died instantly. When I struck her the blow with the stick of wood she fell, and I kicked her, which I think cut her ear. After she fell the last time I took her in my arms. I was alarmed, and said, 'My God, have I killed you?' (The prisoner here wept bitterly, and could not speak fcr some mo. ments.) Then I did not know what to do; I thought I had killed her in my passion, and did not know what would become of me. I went outside the shanty and stood there a little while; then I came back into the shanty and carried her to the wood.pile." Shortly before his execution he wrote the following letter to his wife in Canada :  "Cleveland, August 6, 1866. Mrs, Ann M. Connell,—My Dear Wife-1 will try to write you a few lines, although feeble will be the effort for me to communicate my feelings and the emotions of my broken heart. I have not received but one letter from you since I have been here. I have wondered why you have not written to me often, for you must know the anxiety I have for our little one., although I have proved to be an unfaithful parent to them. I hope and trust God will provide a home for you all. My last requestto you Is for you to give them a good education, .nd not let them grow up in ignorance as their unworthy father did. I beg you give them a knowledge of the Bible : learn them to BM and worship God. John, now take a warning from me, one that he. protected and called you son. Bat for this week a Friday I shall be no more on earth, but I pray God to receive me to His mansions above, where there will be no more sin or sorrow. I wish John to visit him grandma often, as long as she lives. I will not look for any answer, for I will be gone by the time you get this news from your fated husband. I will now bid you good-bye. My prayer is, may God protect you.—