Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-08
Assault with Intent % XIII.

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The Ash.abula Telegraph gives the fol-
lowing particulars Of most s.aDgs and
unnatural attempt to take life:
Public indignation has seldom been o..
cited by more base, and cold blooded,
and murderous attempt than that which, on
Thursday last, the 9th inst. was planned,
and oil but committed by Rolin Harmon,
farmer and citizen Of Kingsville. The
contemplated victim was the wife Of Har.
mon-youDg, amiable, industrious, and O
wife welded 10 him but three months ago.
She brought 10 her felon husband hand.
some property; and it appears that the de-
sire on his part TO have this to himself-to
rid himself the cost and care Of house
keeping--io make money and lay out none
TO carry out the one idea which il
seems possessed him, 10 the exclusion Of
all other feelings-ihat of amassing prop.
erty-these were the motives, and ibsss
alone, as the facts in evidence show, which
moved him to plan the murder Of his young
wife, and as far as lay in his power carry
his plan into execution.
On w ednesday the 26,h, Mrs. Harmon
noticed straageness in the movements Of
her husband. He seemed wrap, no 10
thought, and finally he came round TO ber
told her he wished he was rid Of her-and
looked at her fxedly. He afterward plao.
ed his arm around her waist, and then
around her neck and endeavored to coax
her out of doors. He was perfectly cool.
he wished her TO 90 out to the wsl-said
The bucket had fallen in-that there WINS q
white cloth at the bottom. He wished her
TO 90 out and help him at the sceH. She
finally ent'out, but stood on the side Of
the curb opposite to him. But be worked
round-pushed her violently, and she mar.
rowly escaped being precipitated in. She
then escaped 10 the house. An evening of
great anxiety md distress Of mind awaited
her. Her husband was moody and silent.
tie did not 60 10 bed ut his usual hour, and
before her hour Of going to rest; but he
hung on and wished her to 60 before him,
She finally retired. Through tho night
he never slept. He go. up-went out Of
noors and rolled on the grass in The door.
yard-then went and rolled on the bed till
daylight; but never closed his ewes.
Mrs. Harmon had no one to consult
with, and the conduct of her husband be-
widered her. His violence at the rsly
he explained to be done in jest, and he ear.
neslly wished her 10 go out there nsain.
She refused. His arlifices 10 eu,ice her
out, and his maneuvers TO get his hired
man out Of The way, slow cold blooded
perseverance, in his fell purpose, unparal-
leled in the annals of crime. This was en-
Thursday morning. The hired man was
sent in the WOODS to hunt up the cattle.
Mrs. Harmon was engaged as far as her
feelings allowed her, in household work,
when her husband wanted her 10 20 on,
TO the well, and on her refusal, he seized
her sudoenly-carried her out by main
force, in spite of her struggles TO escape
the death 10 which she now felt he had
doomed her. 10 sti1e her cries he placed
his hand firmly on her mou.h-his fpeers
and nails digging into and holding on tho
upper part OF her face, and lncera.ing her
eyelids. He had her now ut the well: bu,
the death struggle was not over. He could
not force her over the curb. Suddenly ho
kicked away the curb, and plunged her
headlong down the well-thir,y feet! The
water was about 3 feet deep. He looked
down and saw that Mrs Harmon was alive.
She had turned in her descent and was
standing there with the water to her waist,
He now called 10 her, and wished to draw
her out. She spoke-she feared il was
but 10 throw her in again. He lowered tho
we'll pole, but she could not hold on TO il.
He then went TO The barn, and procured the
cords used in tying up the cattle. Mrs.
Harmon was at last drawn up-alive; her
husband had not accomplished his purpose.
and now he was anxious for her to change
her clothes. The hired man arrived at
this junc'ure, and was told by Harmon that
Mrs. II. had fallen into the well.
He shortly left and wen, to his brother,
returned, and harnessed his hc.sss-said
he was going to have them shod-,heu
went out with them into the lots, and final
ly commenced narrowing piece of plow.
ed ground. The situation of Mrs Harmon
was dreadful escaped from the Jaws of
lh--barely scaped-dreadfully bruised
her face Distinguishing from SO
dreadful a shock, and dreading worse. She
at once formed her resolution-went ou, of
the house through the grain, and over the
fences TO Parker's at whose door she faint.
ed. 1t was long before she recovered and
could tell what she had suffered, and wha,
she had escaped. Mr.. Parker went over
soon after TO Harmon's-found him cool
and collected, and had some conversation
with him about the crops. Mr.. Parker al.
luded 10 the accident, and Harmon assured
him it was sad accident. It was time to
act in the matter, and upon complain,
made to J. G. Thurber, ESQ.,, warrant
was issued, Harmon was arrested and kept
in through the night, but escaped from the
person in charge, took 10 the woods, and
was not retaken till after a long search.
He drew knife on Mr. Benson, who first
discovered his hiding place, threatened to
Grip him up" He was secured, his OK.
animation has been had before Esq. Thur.
Der of Kingsville, and he is committed to
the county Jail, on charge Of assault with
intent 10 kill. His bail was fixed at o..
600. Mrs Harmon lies in precarious