Alexandria Gazette

Most Revolting Tragedy.

One of the most shocking instances of murder and suicide we have ever been called upon to record, occurred in the town of Leon, in this county, on Friday last. The facts, so far as we have been able to learn them, are these:—Mr. Frankho, a worthy farmer, left home in the morning of that day, for the purpose of chopping in the woods, some distance from his dwelling, taking with him a luncheon, as he intended to be gone all day. The family consisted of himself and wife and three young children, two of whom were twins. On his return at night he was somewhat surprised on nearing the house, on seeing no light. He opened the door, against which something pressed heavily, and by the light of the moon discovered that it was the body of one of his children lying on the floor weltering in its blood. In his frenzy he rushed out and alarmed the school teacher of the district, who chanced to be passing by, when the two entered the house, and on looking further, they found the other two children in the same horrible condition as the first. One was badly frozen, but all were alive, though insensible, when found by the almost distracted and broken-hearted father. Two of the children died that night: it is hoped the other may recover, although the condition of the little sufferer is most critical. On searching for the mother, she was found in the woodhouse suspended by the neck with a skein of yarn, cold and lifeless. The skulls of two of the children were fractured in a most revolting manner, which had evidently been accomplished by the mother, with an iron used about the stove, that was literally bathed in blood. What motive could have led this miserable woman to so atrocious an act, we have not heard conjectured.—Cattaraugus Whig.