Pawtucket Gazette And Chronicle

TRAGEDY.—Upwards of three years ago, Geo. McCoy, a citizen of Iowa, went to California leaving behind him a wife and five children. During his absence, he forwarded to his wife (who is the daughter of Benjamin Nye, a highly respectable resident of Iowa.) considerable sums of money. On his return recently, he discovered that his wife had been false to him during his absence, and found in her arms the evidence of her guilt. He took four of the six children—all that he believed to be his—and started with them on his return to California. Mr. Nye, his father-in-law, and a man named Patterson, a son-in-law of Mr. Nye, followed, and attempted to get possession of the children. McCoy warned them to desist, but they heeded him not, and he discharged a pistol at Nye and slightly wounded him. Patterson then laid hold of McCoy behind, and Nye approached again with his club and struck, but the blow took effect on Patterson and broke his collar-bone. Nye again approached McCoy, who, having drawn a bowie knife, and avoiding the club, stabbed him and killed him on the spot. McCoy surrendered himself. The wretchedness of that family must be nearly complete.