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Murder iu Portsmouth, N. H.On Sunday evening an attempt was made tokill Mr Daniel H. Spinney and his wife, whichresulted only in the murder of Mrs Spinney. Mrand Mrs S. had taken tea at the house of NelsonN. Downing, at Christian Shore, who is a cousinof Mrs Spinney. Early on Sunday evening a difficulty arose between the two men, in which Downing, who had been drinking, was the ag- | pressor, and in whieh he was overpowered. Spinney, w ith his wife, then left the house under threats*of Dow ning that he would shoot them. They stsrted tor their home on White's road, by way of the depot, and Downing was seen to j leave his house, with a guu. for the creek, via | Jericho road. It is said that Downing was tol-low i d by Spinney’s brother, who warned the pursued parties of their danger, but made no attempt i to shield them from ham, or call for assistance | to prevent the consummation of the murderous designs; and soon alter eight o’clock, when Mr ' Spinney and his wife were opening the door of their house, the gun was fin'd from the opposite side of the road, and Mr Spinney immediately exclaimed—“ I am shot: My God! he has shot Sarah. Mrs Spinney fell dead instantly, a buck shot baring entered her brnin. Mr S. was shot through the arm. Several shot holes arc to be seen in and around the door of the house. Down- ! ing immediately ran towards the woods Soon alter he left another report was hoard, leading some to suppose that he had committed suicide. The excitement in the city was intense, and hundreds visited the scene of the brutal murder. Dow ning returned to his home a little before midnight, and was arrested by officer Foote, and placed in jail, lie said ho had shot at Spinney, and lioj-id he should have another chance. Downing is about 40 years old, and has a wile and six children. He‘is a poacable man when not under the influence of liquor, lie wjv* cm* ployed in running a saw mill at the navy yanl under Capt. Theodore F. Howe. Spinney is a wood dealer, aiul denounced Howe as a rascal, stating that he owed him * 100 for wood. I pon Downing defending Howe, Spinney called lum a rasial too, stating that he also owed him. After more w ords. Spinney is ■#«* to havc laul hamls I 0111)., ■who knocked him down.
Newspaper Details
Boston Post
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Tue, Mar 30, 1858
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Amy N.
NA, 05 Nov 2023
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