Wheeling Register

PITTSBURGH.

Shocking Tragedy at Hillside Station.

PITTSBURGH, December 7.-One of the most distressing occurrences upon record took place last night near Hillside Station, on the Pennsylvania railroad, about fifty miles east of the city a young man named James Hodtham having been almost instantly killed by his sister. The particulars are as follows: Mr. Richard Hodtham, a well-to-do farmer, resides about one mile west of Hillside, his family consisting of himself and wife, a son Joseph, aged about twenty-one years, Mary, aged about eighteen, and two younger daughters. Last evening the father and mother were absent from home and Joseph started to a spelling school, leaving his three sisters at home. He promised to be home early and, before starting, warned his sisters to be on their guard against tramps, a number of whom had been infesting the neighborhood for some time. Mary, who was a very courageous girl, said she was not afraid, and the brother departed. About nine o'clock the dogs commenced a furious barking, and Mary, who had not yet retired, decided to go to the front door to ascertain the cause. Just as she opened the door, she observed a man walking toward her with hat drawn down and his coat collar turned up, so as to effectually conceal his face. She called, "Joe, is that you?" Not receiving any response, she repeated the inquiry, and not receiving a reply, she said, "If that's not you, Joe, look out." The repeated warning elicited no response, and the girl, seeing the supposed tramp still advancing, leveled a heavily loaded shot gun which she held in her hand and fired. The shot struck the man in the breast, and her horror may be imagined when she saw him throw up his hands, and almost shriek, "My dear sister!" and then fell to the ground. She recognized the voice as that of her brother, and rushed out and pulled him into the house. The unfortunate young man was unable to speak, and before the family physician reached the house, death had ensued. An examination showed that the entire charge had entered the breast and penetrated the lungs. It is supposed that the brother had intended to test the courage of his sister, but it proved a fatal test. The sister is spoken of as a most estimable lady, and the terrible shock which followed the discovery that she had killed her brother will, it is feared, render her hopelessly insane. The news of the tragedy spread rapidly from house to house. In a short time the house was crowded with neighbors anxious to render any assistance in their power. The terrible results which have followed this attempt will probably prevent others from indulging in any inclination to test the courage of a female who may be left alone in a house.