A Terrible Crime.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 193, 5 March 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

A Terrible Crime.

Spott, in Haddingtonshire, is connected with the story of a terrible crime, which happened so long aeo as the latter part of ! the sixteenth century, but which, as far as motive and action are concerned, mighi have happened only yesterday. The minister of Spott, the Rev. John i Relloe, was a married man with a comely, commonplace wife, who had brought him a small dower that had been welcome enough when he was a humble probationer, but that was pitiful enough in his present position ; for the minister of Spott was a powerful preacher and expounder, well thought of by the leaders of his party, and in high favour with their wellborn damea and daughters. The minister was heartily tired of his wearisome, humdrum wife, all themore that he knew he was well regarded by the clever and handsome daughter and heiress of a wealthy laird in the neighbourhood. Ho determined to lid himself of hia burden, and laid his plans with terrible calmness and caution. He chose the Sabbath morn for tho deed, when the bellB were ringing for church, and tbe good wife was on her knees by the bedside at her devotions. Ho threw a cord about her neck from behind, strangled her, and then hung her by the noose to a staple he had carefully adjusted for the purpose of a beam overhead. Then be crept out of the parlour window of the manse, and mode his way to hia pulpifc, where be held forth with much fervour and acceptance. Tha minister dined with one of his flock, and it was not till after the second service that he returned home, accompanied by some friends. The silence and gloom that overspread the house was noticed ; the minister presently raised a cry of alarm and distress. Hie unhappy wife had hung herpelf, the neighbours were witnesses of the sad event, ana the sympathies of the .whole parish were with their much afflicted pastor, while the horror and detestation with which suicide is regarded in Scotland hang about fchd grave of the poor murdered woman. All had gone as the minister had desired ; no hitch had occurred in the business ; no suspicion attached, or could possibly attach, to the criminal ; he might have married the daughter of the laird and shone as one of the lights of the age. But now began the terrible pangs of remorse and despair ; tortures that cetsed not by night or by day, and that drove him to make a full confession of his guilt. The law took its course, and presently the minister expiated his crime on the gallows, attended in his last moments by a crowd of brother ministers, among whom he raised his voice to the last, magnifying the grace of God and his own wickedness, and exhorting the crowd to repentance.