Concord Register

KENNEBUNK. OCT. 7.

Distressing Occurrence.—We learn the following particulars of a distressing occurrence which took place in Eliot, in this county, since our last. On Tuesday morning last, Mr. Richard Neal, of Eliot, immediately after rising, expressed his determination to kill his Cat, and commenced a pursuit of the animal for that purpose; but the Cat running under the pigsty, he followed, and with an axe endeavored to raise the flooring—when Mrs. Neal, who was at the time near by, gathering chips, told him he should not kill the Cat, upon which he raised the axe and struck her a blow on the shoulder, which brought her to the ground, he then by another blow severed her head from her body. The neighbors hearing an unusual disturbance, repaired to the spot, where they found Mrs. Neal a corpse, covered with blood.

After this shocking outrage, Mr. Neal proceeded to Berwick, where he gave the foregoing statement, which, on being ascertained to be fact, he was committed to gaol at York. He made no resistance nor attempt to escape, but on his way to prison while stopping at a tavern he attempted to despatch himself, with a broad axe, but was prevented.

He is a man who has heretofore sustained a good character; no private quarrel was ever known to disturb the domestic tranquillity of his family; and but the day before the perpetration of this horrid deed he visited Berwick in company with his wife.

We understand that no person witnessed the transaction, and the above statement is given by Mr. N. which however so nearly coincides with appearances, that no one doubts the correctness.

To the insanity of Mr. Neal is ascribed this shocking and unnatural murder, as it is stated that about nine years since he was partially deranged, and from his manners and actions he is now thought to be laboring under a similar disorder of the mind.

Mrs. N. was of respectable connexions, and has left several young children to deplore the shocking and untimely death of a kind and affectionate mother, and to weep over the misfortunes of a wretched father.