The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1850-12-21
The Peoria Murderers.

We copy from the Chicago Democrat the fol
lowing synopsis Of the evidence upon which tho
murdcrers Of Nr. Hewitt, at Peoria were convict
ed and sentenced to be hung yesterday; but
whose execution, a, will be seen by our telegraph
dispatches, la, been strangely postponed:
The prisoners and another staid at the house of
Mira. McAllaster tile night previous to the muir
der-left in the morning, and the other, a middle
aged mau, returned during the day, and stald I'm.
til Sunday
Mr. Hewitt on the morning Of the l2th of Octo.
Der, presented draft Of 1880 to Mr.. Curtis,
banker, which was paid Mr. C. describes and
identifies the money. aud when il was paid that
one Of the witnesses was present
The prisoners were taken by Mr. Newell Ilotch-
kiss on the night Of the 18th ult at Springfield,
in bed Thomas said he was in for it, but would
not have been but for George George said
they had earued the money on steamboats,. The
money WAS found on them.
Mr. Hewitt staid at the hotel of Mr. Decker o.
YER night While Harvesting his horse the next
morning, the two prisoners were there, and Mr
II. about that time said he was going to the
Bank Prisoners seemed TO be watching Mr. II
Mr. Ii. was met by one witness going out of
town, and soon after, the prisoners following him
at a rapid rate
Two witnesses coming along the road saw two
young men; not positively identified as the priso-
ners, but answering well tn their general appear.
ance, struggling with Mr. Hewitt, who was on the
ground, his horse and buggy at a little distance
moving on. When seen they ran away, and Mr.
II. arose ard struggled towards his buggy, fell
two or three times, had large cash on his head
and blood flowing and was helped into the bug
sy There were brick bats at the place
Two persons after this were seen running across
the adjoining fields. not identified a. the prison
ers only partially by some peculiarites-were
next seen on the bank of the river There they
paid a Dutchnan dollar to put them across the
river One had pistol and also bank notes in
his hand.
Thence they were traced to Springfield, went
part of the way on foot, aud part Of the way hir
ed themselves carried-showed their money and
pistols.
The physicians examined, said there was hole
through Dir. Hewitts skull; might have been
made by ball or pointed Instrumentation ball was
found on examination, but might have fallen out
Before Mr. Hewitt died the prisoners were
brought before him, when he recognised them,
and said one Of them presented pistol kc, but
as Mr. Hewitt did not think At the time that he
would die, this testimony was not admitted, only
TO show the appearance of the prisoners.
Mr.. Hewitt died the 18th day, the wound was
the cause Of his death.
There was some evidence tonHny to show that
prisoners did not expect a deadly blow was given
Some testimony was offered on the defence, but
none that could avail anything
The Jury found a verdict OF guilty, and sent
ence Of death was pronounced, to be executed on
the Goth Of this month
The prisoners, during oil the time, exhibited q
marked hardlhood AMI indifference to their fate
and protested they We're not guilty Of murder
and that the proof was not sufficient,