The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-05-25
The Romance Of Grime-Truth
Stranger TIlan Fiction.

There are circumstances connected
with the late murder Of Beatson, in Ohio,
whose supposed murderer. Parks, was re-
Gently arrested in this city. that mark it
as one of the most extraordinary affairs
recorded in the history Of crime.
Less than year ago. Beatson, the
murdered man, Parks, his supposed mur
derer. end person named Gee, came
over together in the same ship from Eu-
rope. Beatson and Parks had compar-
atively little money. while Gee was known
to have had several hundred dollars
With this he came to Eriecounty andide-
posted portion of it--six hundred dol
lars-in the Buffalo Savings Bank. The
place of its deposit became in some man
.ner known to Beatson, who resolved. il
possible. to obtain the possession OF it;
but how to accomplish that object was a
matter not so easily determined. plan.
however. was devised, and its execution
at once entered upon. Ascertaining that
there was in the citya young Englsh,nan.
who also came over in the same ship with
Gee, Beatson found him out and intro.
duced himself as Gees brother, and sue
ceeded so admirably in convincing his
new acquaintance that such was the fact.
that he went with Beatson to the Bank and
introduced him as such to Mr.. Howard,
the Secretary. Beatson then produced a
letter, previously prepared. OF course by
himself, purporting 10 be written 10 him
by VIM. Gee, stating that he w. G. ! had
just purchased q farm near Buffalo. had
paid three hundred on it. and needed six
hundred dollars more in gold ihathe was
unable 10 come in person to Buffalo and
draw it from the Bank. in consequence ol
having been injured by a kick from a
horse, and had therefore deputed his broth.
| er TO get it for him.
Under this state of things, being prop.
erly introduced. Wm. Gee, being unable
to draw a check, the story seeming alto
gether probable, and circumstances no
suggesting any suspicion. the Secretary
concluded TO pay the six hundred dollars
| and draw check Tor that amount on on
iver Lee & Co.'S Bank. Before deliver
| ing the check. however, the Secretary
wrote receipt Tor the money. which th'
supposed ..brother" was requested tc
sign This Beatson declined doing, al
| leging as reason that he could not write
| He did. however. make his mark. which
was Witnessed by those who introduced
him. Putting the check in his pocket, ht
proceeded to Oliver Lee q Co.'S Bank
presented it to Mr.. Mercer, the teller. say
ing he desired TO have gold. Mr.. Mercer
replied that he could not pay gold on the
check, except at the usual premium. o.
unless Mr.. Howard should request it. Tn,
cool individual said he would take it bacl
and have Mr. FL. do SO. Back he wen
to the Savings Bank. Mr.. Howard as
sented to his request, and inserted in tn,
check. "pay in gold,' and with this Beat
son returned to the 0. Lee Bank, obtained
the gold and took his departure. Th'
next that was heard OF him was. that h,
had been murdered, and that Parks wa
arrested for the crime. 5e e@
/ Another curious incident in this singu
lar history is tha: there was found in Beat
sons pocket, after his murder. pape
stating that the gold belonged to Wm. Gee
but not more extraordinary than what fol
lows: After Parks's arrest this papercam
! into the hands Of the District Attorney Q
Summit Co., Ohio. where Parks is no,
undergoing trial. The officer immediate
ly wrote to Wm.l Gee. making inquiries il
, reference to Beatson, as to the truth {
what was stated in the memorandum bu
Just before the letter was received Gee wa
killed Ly the accidental discharge Of a gun
When the letter arrived it was opened b
the landlord of the tavern where Gee ha
been staying, ,who at once FASTENED TO til
city to ascertain the facts.
! Strange indeed is the. web Of huma
: life. OF these three persons who te
: short months before were fellow passer
gers on the voyage to this country, on
!, robs bank OF 5000; he in turn is mu
t dered by companion. and the thirs
e whose money was the cause of it all,
d hurried to another world by the accidel
tai discharge Of a gun. The suppose
4 murderer is now on trial for the otfens
: and the evidence against him is; said
: be very clear Buffalo Courier. Nd
a asa LosT.-A small lady's watch with
II white face; also two ivory young ladie
q work boxes. A mahogany gentleman
d dressing-case and small pony. beloni
q ling TO q young lady, with silver maj
a fnsI F-sl W ~ -