Year: 1870

Mother Nearly Beheads Her Son and Cuts


Her Own Throat.
From the Evening Telegram OF yesterdayl
The Trareuer's Haverhr correspondent saws that
this morning, about half-past SIX. Mrs. Celia Beck
ford. and her son Clarence, lad eleven years
OF age, were found dead in their bel, with each q
their throats cut in fearful manner, at their resi-
dence on Franklin street. The throas or each were
cut transversely and both deep enough to sever tn
carotid artery The throat OF the child showed nyt
Severed Inc sod There yse wers eraa
some struggling and the clothing which partially
covered the body was completely saturated with
deeply directly across the front. apparently with
one stroke. on her right band was some blood with
the hair OF her child mixed with It, Aer LEFT hand
was bathed In gore. As she was


LEFT-HANDED PERSON


the ar deed WAS by her @ that
The body OF the child lay at her right side ald
the razor which inflicted the wound was found In
her back, with her limbs crossed and right hand
and arm resting on her breast, with her left hand re-
posing at her SIDE The bed was literally drenched
with gore, and the blood from the throat OF the n.
fortunate woman had spurted nearly across the
room. The bodies were cold when found, but had
not assumed state Of rigldty.


The house ia small one, containing only one
ro0m Everything in II was In its usual order. Her
bonnet, as she had laid 1t on the evening previous
after returning IRON call upon neignbor WIGS
laid upon shelf or bureau at the head OF the bed,
and her clothing, as IT was laid or retiring was
on the foot OF the bed, and there evidence OF
wrestle or struggle, as though there had been
contest with al assassin who had entered the pre-
mses 10 perform the bloody deed. She was known
to nave


SEVENTY DOLLARS IN HER POSSESSION
yesterday. On examining ner pOcketbook seventy
three dollars and seventyhve cents found In it.
The door OF the dwelling was found unlocked this
morning.


News or the terrible Tragedy spread rapidly and
hundreds focked thither to learn facts and satisfy
the natural curiosity which the event excited.


Last evening Mrs. BickfOrd visited the family OF
Mr. G. J. Dean to whom she Is related and is on In.
innate terms, and had arranged to leave her child
there to-day during her absence on business visit
to Lowell or Lawrence for which her plans had been
previously made and 1t was son or Mr.. Dean VINO
made the discovery Of the fatal deed this morning,
going to the house for the child which was to be
his companion for the day.


Mrs. Bckf0rd was about thirty five years OF age,
and had experienced rather hard fortune in lfe
Her husband, George w. Bickford, was
SOLDIER IN THE ELEVENTH NEW HAMPSHIRE REGI-
and died from disease contracted In the service Of
his country. Mrs. Btckt0rd was the recipient Of
pension and though living numbly and obscure, was
not In any condition Of want or suffering, as her
finances clearly indicate BESIDES 1t Is said she was
expecting soon to receive quite sum Of money due
her husband as back pay and bounty, and IL Is
supposed 1t was In relation to this that her absence
from home to-day was contemplated.


Coroner Jeffers was called and Immediately sum-,
view and examination OF the premises, adjourned,
TO continue the inquest at the Police Court room.


BOSTON, Oct. S-Iivening.
Later particulars OF the Haverh.lI tragedy show
that Mrs. Bickford committed suicide after killing
her son.


schoolmistrcss Stoned to Death by Her