Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 January 1875 — A Conscience-Stricken Man. [ARTICLE]

A Conscience-Stricken Man.

George Peters, who has kept a hotel in Annville township, Lebanon County, Pa., for many years, attempted to commit suicide for the third time recently, by hanging himself on Sunday. He has since delivered himself up to the Sheriff of the county, and declares that his repeated attempts to make way with himself are prompted by remorse, He confessed that he murdered his first wife sixteen years ago. She was found one morning in 1858 in the hotel barn, lying under a horse in one of the stalls. Her skull was crushed, and it was supposed that she had been kicked to death by the horse. That be deliberately killed her. There had been a misunderstanding between them for some time, owing to frequent long visits of Mrs. Peters’ relatives to their house, against whiefi Mr. Peters strongly protested. On the day of the tragedy a brother of Mrs. Peters was expected rft the hotel, and she was making great preparations for his entertainment, against her husband’s wishes. -She went to the barn to catch some chickens. Her husband followed her, and as she was stooping over to seize a chicken she had penned up in a stall he struck her over the head with a pitchfork handle. She fell to the floor and never spoke afterward. Horrified at what he had done, he dragged the body of his wife to a stall occupied by a horse, and placed it there, to give color to the theory that she had been kicked to death. The plan worked as desired, and no suspicion ever arose that there had been foul play. Peters married again some years afterward, and says that he subsequently told his second wife the particulars of the crime. Peters has always been looked upon as a good citizen, and is quite wealthy. The greatest excitement prevails in the community over the extraordinary revelation. — Washington Star. .... - '—-