The New Hampshire Gazette

KEENE, SEPT. 13,

INSANITY.

We learn from Winchendon, that on Monday last, Stephen Bigsby, aged about 20, was killed by Daniel Robbins, of Rindge, in a fit of insanity. Robbins was the owner of some land in the north part of Winchendon, and occasionally boarded, while at work on his farm, at the house of the young man's father. It appears that he had been delirious, at times for some months before: but had discovered stronger marks of a disordered mind on that day, than usual, insomuch that the family wished him to be removed; and for this purpose, a brother of Robbins and the young man proceeded to his log house where he had shut himself up. On entering the door, the latter received a blow from Robbins with an axe upon his shoulder, and on his falling the stroke was repeated eight or ten times, cutting off his head and arms, and mangling his body in a shocking manner. By this time his brother (who was at some distance) came up; but was obliged to fly, and was actually pursued some distance. Some of the neighbors now assembled, provided with a musket, and after some time pursued him to throw away the axe, tho' not before he had extorted from them the assurance, that upon his surrendering they would immediately shoot him! He was then examined before a magistrate, and committed to Worcester goal. He had imbibed the notion that the final dissolution was at hand, and that it was his duty to make way with some of his fellow creatures.--He is a single man; about 28 years old. We give this account as we verbally received it; but do not think it differs essentially from the facts.