Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-10-07
Shocking Affair.

On Wednesday night last, between the hours OF
midnight and daylight, some demon In human shape,
entered the dwelling Of Ms RILEY COMBS, who resides
about four miles and half North East of this place.
on what is called the Sages ferry road, and attempt
ed to murder the inmates of the house. The clrcum-
stances related to US are as follows: Mr.. Combs
who follows the business of peddling from home
on the night above mentioned and his wife, young
lady (half sister to Mr.. Co. and two small children
were the only occupants of the house. At the hour
above alluded to, Mrs. c. awOke up, and finding the
door standing open enqired of the young lady If she
had been up and why the door thus left open,
and upon the girl stating that she had not been out.
Mrs. C. arose, closed the door and Immediately re-
turned to her bed without suspectng any har n She
haC however, scarcely returned to her bed ere she
heard advancing footsteps, and instantly some person
knocked at the door and enquIred if Mr. Combs was
at home, and upon Mrs. c. answering IN the negative,
the door pushed open and the room entered by
man. AT this Mrs. c. sprang out OF bed much alarm
ed. The wretch uttered the most horrible impreca-
against the family and affirmed that he intended
to kill the last one of hem and sung the action to
the words, he aimed blow at Mrs. e. with a large
knife but fortunately, she succeeded IN grasPlng the
arm which held the deadly weapon. She begged HIM
to spare her life. the time telling him If he
would permit her TO get her dress she would leave
him in peaceable possession Of the house. In the
time the young lady had from her bed and
seeing this the murderer left Mrs. c. and endeavored
to prevent the girl from making her escape As she
passing through the window he seized her by the
arm, held her and inflicted a severe wound with tie
knife in her right breast. During this time, Mrs G..
had procured her little children, slipped of the
house and made her e>rape to a neighbours few hun.
dred yards distance. The wounded girl by some
means, wrenched her arm from the demon and also
succeeded in reaching the house of neignbor not far
off without further injury. The alarm was immedl-
ately given and several speedily repaired 10 the
house but the scoundrel had hed-no however until
he procured large chest which he supposed contain
ed considerable amount of money. This he carried
some distance into the meadow where he broke II open
with rail and took from it the amount of dot
lars and fty cents!i there being but 5000 in it,
Mr.. c. having fortunately, day or two previous de-
posted his money in this town. The moon shown
and Mrs. Combs Immediately recognized the indyld-
ual, and says she will swear his indemnity. The
man whom she charges with the crime, lives in the
neighburhood and has not been seen since. For the
present. deem ii prudent to withhold his from
the public, proper steps are being had to bring the
miserable wretch to Justice. The physician who was
called to the girl, prononnces her wound dangerous
one and thinks her recovery doubtful The knife PEN
etrated the lungs.
No doubt this community is infested with gang oi
thieves and murderers. Our citizens should be on the
lookout" and dcays be prepared for emergencies.
Salem (Iad.) Netcs, Sept 2Sth.