The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1854-08-11

Another murder has been committed in our
midst, and we suppose its unparalleled afro
city will effectually rouse justice from that fa-
tai slumber in which she has INDUCED Of
late. The Dutch miner who was stabbed
few days since, we understand, has died IF
his wound. The circumstances are about as
follows: A man by the name of 5 ark'e, who
occupied farm adjacent to the Saline Coal
mines, had lost several chickens, and his sus-
picions rested naturally upon the miners,
great number os whom are generally en-
ployed by the company. BY the influence
Of his wife, it seems Starkies suspicious
were peculiarly directed towards the unfor-
tunate deceased. He threatened him with
the most terrible vengeance, and, finally, star
ted out on the evening OF the sad occurrence
armed with gun and knife TO carry his ven-
geance into execution. On reaching the
creek he discovered this miner and compan-
ion sitting on a log, at the waters edge, on
the opposite side. Without showing him
self, he fired twice at the deceased barely,
missing him each time. He then emerged
from his retreat, jumped into a skif' and cross
ed over. On reaching the shore, he asked
the unfortunate object Of his vengeance iii he
was the damned rascal that had shot his
chickens" This was denied with the most
solemn protestations of innocence, but
Starkie was unsatisfed, and insisted that he
should go with him and see il his wife
couldn't identity him. This was agreed TO-,
when they started in the direction of the
house, the mirer's comrade accompany 'g
them part of the way. When they I'D
reached the house Stake asked his wife if
that was the man, to which she replied that
WI 10 he tn hat he n.,id
kill him, and, making preparations, the
Dutchman fell on his knees and begged pit
eously for mercy-But his prayers for mercy
his earnest reservations of innocence,
and even his offers OF remuneration, failed to
touch the obduraie heart of this malignant
! demon. He cursed his victim bitterly, and
ordered him up till he killed him. The poor
fellow attempted TO rise, and, while in the
act, Starkie plunged the knife into his left
breast. He fell with his face to the ground
and lay there before Starkie's door for two
hours in state of insensibiity. When con-
seriousness returned, at last, it was in great
dread, and after watching long for an oppor-
ttunity, that he crawled unperceived away on
his hands and knees. After lingering for q
lew days. he breathed his last, in great mis-
cry, and with thoughts, no doubt, recurring
to his own Father Land, where he left wife
4 and three little children. What heightens
the atrocity of the crime, is, that the deceas-
ed was man of inoffensive disposition and
innocent character, and also that on the day
the chickens were alledged to have been kill.
ed, this poor fellow was sick and conf ned TO
his bed, thus proving his perfect innocence.
Starkie is in jail awaiting his trial.
; This is the second murder that has sulli.
ed the reputation of our society, in the last
two months. II is 10 be hoped that Fleming
, who is now roaming at large, (visitings home
occasionally,} may be caught and suffer along
with Starkie, the condgn punishment they
both so richly deserve. Alas. for human
nature, that if it sometimes gives us glimpses
OF divinity, it often casts shadows darker
f than hell Shawneetolcn IHiinoiSan.