Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-05-02
AEgessnarkabEe case of Arrest
for Murder.

IThe following narrative has beer
handed us for publication by membe
of the bar. There is no doubt Of The
truth of every fact stated and thu
whole affair is Of so extraordinary a
character as to entitle it to publication
and commend it to the attention Of
those at present engaged in discussing
reforms in criminal jurisprudence, anc
the abolition of capital punishment. =
Journey Wing.
In the year 1871, there resided, at
different points in the State 0, 1,iin,os'
three brothers by the nah1e OF Iraiior'
Henry and Archibald. Archibald re-
sided at Springfield, then as now the
Seat of Government of the State. He
was a sober, retiring and industrious
man, Of about thirty years of age Il
carpenter by trade, and a bachelor,
boarding with his partner in business
Mr.. Myers. Henry, year or two
older, was a man of like retiring and
industrious habits had family and
resided with it on a farm at Clarys
Grove, a bout twenty miles distant from
Springfield in North westerly direc-
ton. William, still older, and with
similar habits, resided on a farm in
Warren county, distant from Spring
field something more than a hundred
miles in the same North-westerly d.
rection. He was widower, with sew
eral children. In the neighborhood of
Williams residence, there was, and
had been for several years, a man by
the name Of Fisher, who was somewhat
above the age of fifty had no family,
and no settled home but who boarded
and lodged while here. and while
there, with the persons for whom he
did little jobs Of work. His habits
were remarkably economical, SO that
an impression got about that he had
accumulated considerable amount OF
money. In the latter part of May in
the wear mentioned, William formed
the purpose of visiting his brothers at
Clary's Grove, and Springfield and
Fisher, at the time having his tempo
rary residence at his house, resolved to
accompany him. They set out togeta-
er in buggy with single horse. On
Sunday evening they reached Henry's
residence, and staid over night On
Monday morning, being the first Mon
dav Of June, they started on to Spring
field, Henry accompanying them on
horse back. They reached town about
noon, met Archibald, went with him
to his boarding house, and there took
up their lodgings for the time they
should remain. After dinner, the three
Traitors and Fisher left the boarding
house in company, for the avowed pur-
pose of spending the evening together
in looking about the town. AT supper
the Traitors had al returned, but Fisher
was missing, and some inquiry was
made about him. After supper, the
Traitors went out professedly in search
of him. One By one they returned
the last coming in after late tea time.
and each stating that he had been un-
able to discover any thing of Fisher
The next day, both before and after
breakfast, they went professedly n
search again, and returned at noon, stll
unsuccessful. Dinner again being had
William and Henry expressed deter
mination to give up the search and star
for their homes. This was remonstra
ted against by some of the boarder
about the house, on the ground tina
Fisher was somewhere in the vicinity
and would be left without any convey
ance, as he and William had come il
the same buggy. The remonstranc'
was disregarded, and they departed TO-
their homes respectively. Up to TIN
time, the knowledge of Fishers mys
terious disappearance, had spread very
little beyond the few boarders a
Myers, and excited no considerable
interest. After the lapse of three o
four days, Henry returned to Spring
field. for the ostensible purpose o
making further search for Fisher
Procuring some of the boarders, be
together with them ard Archibald
spent another day in Intellectual search
when il was again abandoned, aad h
returned home. No general intere'
was yet excited. On tie Friday, wee
after Fishers disappearance, the Pos
master at Springfield received lettt
from the Postmaster nearest William
residence in Warren county, Stain
that William had returned home witt
out Fisher, and was saying, rathI