Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-04-04
HOrrid Murder,

One of the most horrid murders IL has ever
been DOR duty TO record, was perpera.ed last
evening between half-past 9 and 10 o'cloak, in
the town of Fleming. abou. four miles south
of this village. Mr., John G. Van Ness. his
wife, and child two years old, were stabbed
and must have died almost Instantly and
Mrs. Wykoff, the mother-in.aw Of Mr.. V. ~,
and Mr.. Cornelius Van Arsdale, were dan
gerously. if not mortality wounded.
il is supposed that the murderer entered the
from. door where he must have met Mrs. Van
Ness, who was butchered without being able
TO give any alarm; the child was found dead
in the bed and Mrs. Van Ness, after being
stabbed. occupied by girl living in the fam
| lily, and threw herself on the bed and died in
SANITY. Mrs. Wykoff was stabbed in bed in
her room.
The murderer then proceeded up stairs with
light, and inquired of Mr.. Van Arsdale who
had got up on hearing the noise, if there was
man there and being answered in the affir.
native Immediately stabbed Mr.. V. A., who
seized the candleslick and threw /. at the as.
sassin, who either fell or jumped down stairs,
Mr.. V. A. following him and striking him
with a broom stick-and then tainted, aud the
assassin left The house. The girl says she
saw him afterwards standing near by with a
gun. as if medita,ing whether to return but
/ he finally went to the barn and took horse,
and escaped before any alarm coold be given
The horse was found the mex, evening, neal
the south part of this village. where there
were signs Of his having fell, and being aban
des-eS.
Mr.. Van Arsdale describes the murderer as
about feet 6 inches high-lhick set--and
either negro or disguised as one.
The musderer has probably gone eas,-a
valuable grey mare, belonging to Mr.. Burling
ton, about 81 miles east Of this village. on
the Skauea,eles road, having been stolen last
night
! Mr.. Van Ness. was man of high respecia
bility-and was las, year Supervisor of the
town of Fleming.
Our town is in state Of grea, excitement
and everything is being done to arrest the as
sassin.-Auburn Daily Advertiser.
1 Further particulars ofthe late Murder.-W,
have seen persons from the scene Of the muir
der. ahd learn the following particulars;
Mr.. Van Ness was found dead, lying witt
his face in the back kitchen, and his feet oil
the step. stabbed in the breast.
Mrs. Van Ness, who was eneisnte and sooI
expected to be confined. ran round the hous'
after she was stabbed, and went to the win
dow Of the girls bedroom; told her she wa
stabbed, and that they were all going to b.
murdered. The girl raised the window. anC
then went TO the front door, unlocked II, an'
let her in. She went to the bed, threw her
self on IL, and was found dead after the alarm
was given.
/ Van Arsdale fought the assassin out of tn,
house. and shut the door, and saw him sia'
Mrs wykoff near the gaie-she was going Il
give the alarm and run over 100 rods to Mr.
Brooks, after she was wounded. She wa
senseless this morning and no, likely to recover
Van Arsdale is in very precsrioos state
though perfectly sensible.
The Knife was broken 10 re afrsy--psrt o
the blade was found in the house-the res
was discovered in the yard next morning.
Our police are on the track OF the murderer
who is supposed TO be an old negro convle
who was discharged from prison last fall, an'
has since been living in this village. He wa
seen here Yesterday and last evening" aud WI
understand the knife has been identified q
having been recently made for him.
The motive Of so horrible deed Is mys
ltery-,he rumor prevalent ihsI 1t was rersi'ss
on account Of Mr.. Van Ness having been
I witness against Freeman, being entirely with
90, foundation. II is generally Supposed tina
Freeman had no accompliee. He Is about 2
wears oli-5 feet 5 or iaches high, sqUar'
buil,-rslher thick set. lie wore a blu'
roundabout and cloth esP-psnt-loons Of