Year: 1875

A hoary oil villain of Newark, n. j.,
William Cunningham by name, was
adroitly caught in his own trap, which he
had set for the murder of his own poor
old wife, who had brought him thirteen
children. Cunningham had money, and
he found poor fellow, Norwood Hat
field, who had none, but who needed
some to help his two brothers out of bad
scrape. Cunningham money approached
Hatfield's needs at first by stealth, and
then came boldly out and pointed the
way to a murder. Cunningham wanted
his wife assassnated, and put the job in
Hatfeld's hands Hatfield was not that
kind of man-at least not for so small
an amount as Cunningham was willing
to give for the perlous work. He lis
make him widower; but he let the po-
lice into the secret while the plot was
coming to a head in Cunningham's brain.
Hatfield was advised by the chief of
police to go on with the business up to
the moment of execution. AT first it
was ARA nged that Cunningham should
leave his back door open on certain
night, by which Hatfield was to enter the
house, kill the old woman in her bed, and
bind and gag him so that he could not be
suspected. On second thoughts that
looked rather odd, and Cunningham,
himself, was much too near the prospect
i've scene of blood to feel pleasant con-
templating it. 1t might, besides, give
the law possible hitch upon him. He
abandoned that plan as impolitic, if not
impracticable, and concocted an alibi,
which would place him clear outside of
house, in the old woman's absence, to see
how the land lay, and feel at home when
he should visit it by himself 1t was ar
ranged that the murder should be done
at o'clock in the morning. Cunning
ham was to leave the house innOcently at
$3.50, and take the train for Bloomfield,
and return innOcentlv to Newark at $50.
That strategic movement would safely
bridge him over the bloody chasm.
The officers were on the watch. Gun
ningham left his home at the appointed
moment, and fastened to the railroad.
An officer entered the house, and asked
Mrs. Cunningham to go with him to the
police headquarters. She was questioned
about her life with her husband, and sta
ted that they were not living happily to-
gether. He had not spoken to her for
the last three months, and about a year
agohe had tried to poison her. Although
her husband was man of means he al
lowed her only $2 so week to provide
for the house. While this examination
was in progress an officer was at the depot
awaiting the arrival of the $50 train
from Bloomfield. Cunningham came,
according to programme, and was ar
rested. When the policeman put his
hand on Cunningham's shoulder, and be-
fore word had been spoken, Cunning
ham asked if any thing had happened at
the house. The officer gave him no sat
isfaction, and he at once took it for grant
ed that his wife had been killed He
spoke of her as dead-foully murdered
during his absence, and moaned and
groaned in legitimate style. He proved
a good actor but bad tragedy plotter.
He thoroughly convicted himself before
he was told that his wife was not killed,
according to contract. This news astound-
ed him. He was locked up for examina-
ton, and at last accounts did not know
how the case stood. 1t would not be
safe for nim to go home now, and it is
not likely that he will have the pleasure
of contributing 81 80 a week for the
maintenance of his family any more. a
more cowardly old scoundrel probably
does not live.