The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1852-03-13
FROM the National Democrat.
Wholesale Murder at Abbevilie.

W nOlGSdlt IhutuGI at huUoViiiG'
\ few months ago an Austrian traveller who
had visited England was on his return home
through France. On his way from Calais To- Pa.
RS he passed through the ancient town Of Abb
beville where he was suddcny seized with a
slight Iudispostion and leaving the conveyance
by which he was travelling lac determined to re-
main 4 day or two at a small auberye in the out.
skirts Of the town. The hotel was kept by a Ger
man family, consisting OF man, his wife aud
lad oi II years Of age. Every thing was co,nioIt-
able about the house, but there seemed to be
sort Of reserve not usually met with in the faml.
ly of a hotel keeper, nevertheless the Austrian
thought but little Of this and at early hour IN
tie evening he retired 10 rest, aud was soon
asleep.
He was naturally light sleeper, and during
the night he was awoke by footsteps in the adj
Joining apartment; soon the door ol his sleeping
room was gently opened. and the mistress oi the
house in ber naked feet came softly towards his
bed. apparently with the object Of asceranng
if he was asleep. Hearing the whisper Of male
Voices in the room III which he had first heard
the footsteps, lie thought it advisable to simulate
slumber, in order that he might gam some ink
ling Of what was going on. lie therefore iad
still aud breathcd heavily, SO as to throw the
woman off her guard She bent over the bed
aud seemed satisfied, for She Immediately with
drew, and Joined her husband and son in the 9th
or room. The Austrian, rs soon as she had left,
anticipating that robbery was meRded, lost no
time IN taking his pistols from the pocket Of his
0vercoat, as they were already oadtd, ru deto,
mined TO 20 TO bed again, and wait the result
Before, however he had time to do this the door
was again steIlthily opened, and the man OF the
house approached the bed with a heavy axe in
his hand, with which he struck tremendous
bio. at what lie conceived would be the head Of
/ the traveller.
| The AustfaC, who was ensconsed behind Tie
white curtains Of the bed Immediately discharg.
/ ed one Of his pistols, and with a Shrek Of ago
! ny, the would bc.murderer fell to the floor. The
woman aud the lad, upon hearing the sound Of
! the pstol, rushed into the room with dark Ian.
| tern and in each Of their hands the traveller per.
celyed the bright gistening Of steel 1t was no
/ time to hesitate he fred the remaining pistol
at the youth, aud disabled him, and then closed
upon the woman, who, seeing the tuin matters
/ had taken, fell on her knees and begged for mer
| Cy. The Austrian bound her and the wounded
! had with some cords he found at hand, SO firmly
/ that they could not move (the host was already
, dead) and then started off IN search Of the po-
lice. They were soon on the spot and the wo-
/ man and her son were committed to prison. In
the morning, the premises were searched, and a
large amount Of property, supposed to have been
/ pluudered from persons who had stopped at the
hotel, was found scCyctel in an iron safe, in a
sn all cupboard in private room, Suspicion
was raised that more than one murder had been
committed, and the premises were carefully
4 searched, and at lcug,h, beneath the, stable, a
larse quantity Of human bones were discovered
partially burnt with quick lime, but not entirely
lost cd n ntIn