s had often happened, abused, kicked and mistreated her
in a most shameful manner. She had him arrested a second time with the
intention of binding him over to keep the peace. He pretended, while
in charge of the officer, that he must see his wife, and together they
started toward the hovel where they lived. They met the wife and mother
at the outskirts of the little village, had some words, and before the
officer could prevent it, Hurst sprang upon the woman and cut her throat
from ear to ear jumped away, and made good his escape to the woods,
the officer, meanwhile, deeming it more important to aid the woman, not
knowing, for a moment, that the cutting was fatal. That fact was very
soon apparent. Others were called who took charge of the body, and the
officer struck out in hot pursuit of the murderer. He was followed
to the woods a few miles from White Cloud, in Doniphan County, there
overtaken and conducted to the county seat, tried, convicted of murder
in the first degree, sentenced to be hung, sent to the penitentiary to
await the final execution, which, in our State, never comes. He remained
in there about twenty months when he became insane, and was sent to the
asylum; was there about three and a half years, when he was pronounced
cured and returned to the penitentiary. He is now insane a second time.
You have all in your younger-days read the story of the maniac that
paced his cell, repeating "once one is two," and now comes the queerest
part of this narrative. Hurst seems anxious to talk to every one that
calls, and especially anxious to shake hands; but if you say anything to
him, or ask any question, his only answer is "skilled labor," and
keeps on repeating these words as he walks up and down his place of
confinement.

Who knows but the infinite God has destroyed reason to prevent the power
of darkness over this poor, unfortunate being. Or who knows but the
demands of justice are met in the terrible conscience blows which have
staggered and shattered that which originally was in the image of God.

LIFE INSURANCE AND MURDER

McNutt and Winner.--These are two of the most noted criminals in the
penitentiary, rendered so because of the dastardly crime committed
by them, and the high social relations of the latter. They came from
Wichita, and have been in prison almost fifteen years. McNutt is a fine
artist and painter. He had his paint shop in Wichita, and was doing a
very successful business. Winner was his