New Hampshire Statesman And State Journal

Singular Affair. Mr. Eugene Clifford, who resided at Fairfield, Vt., has been arrested for the supposed murder of his wife and child under very unusual circumstances. It appears that on the 16th ult. he requested his wife to accompany him on a visit to a friend on the opposite side of the pond, asserting at the same time (what is reported not to be true,) that they had been especially invited so to do. The day was rather cold and unpleasant, and Mrs. C. made many objections, but, at the urgent solicitation of her husband, she finally consented, and taking an infant child, they left home, and in crossing the water the boat was upset and the mother and child were drowned, while the husband and father escaped. Clifford's story is, that in consequence of a strong wind, his wife and child fell into the water and were drowned; and that, in trying to recover them he also fell in, and in falling upset the boat. The bodies were found on the same day, and the following day a coroner's inquest was held, and a verdict given of "accidentally drowned." Some suspicious circumstances coming to light, a second inquest was held on Thursday, and a verdict given of "willful murder." C. was accordingly arrested, and a court of examination held, which resulted in his committal to jail for further trial.