Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1855-06-14

ARREST OF A SONFES-
SION OF THE DEED.-A few days since we
since we stated that young man named
Samuel Croft alias Gaff had been arrested
on suspicion of being engaged in the late
burglary of Martin, Anshutz g. Co.'s office.
Immediately after his arrest his appearance
and person answered the description of man
who, few weeks since, at a late hour of
night, went into farmers house near Madi-
son, in this county, and, after fastening the
doors, informed the wife, who was then sole
&C cupant of the house, that he was captain
of band of robbers, and threatened to take
her life if she did not allow him to search
the premises, and take what money he could
find. Croft ransacked the premises, and sue
ceeded in finding $22, which he appropriated
and left. On the strength of those suspici-
ons, the farmers wife (whose name we have
forgotten) was sent for, and after an exami-
nation before the Police Court, in the course
of which Croft was fully identified, and was
committed to Jail to answer at court. To use
Groff's own language, he was fully cony!nc-
ed that the evidence in this latter charge was
very conclusive; that he would ego to the
penitentiary as sure as he stood trail;" and
to escape from the Hamilton county Jail was
impossible. After making these statements,
he informed the jailor Mclean that he had
something on his mind which he desired to
disclose. Croft then stated that about the
last of September, in the evening, he went
to the house of John Burrison, in Richmond,
jefferson county, o Ohio, and asked for work.
Burrson remarked: 81 have no work tor you."
Croft INSISTED, and finally said, "D-R you
it's money want, and am going to have it.
or your ife"-accompanyingt the remark by
brandishing large bowie knife in the air.
Mrs. Burrison instantly seized a rifle gun,
and handed it to her husband, who, before he
could raise it, was grappled by Croft, and
seuffle ensued, during which the gun fell to
the hocr Croft then inflicted a severe
wound in Burrison's neck, when the latter
cried murder, and begged his wife, who stood
helpless through fright, to call In the neigh
! bors. Croft, however, succeeded in plung-
| ing the knife to its hilt, three times into Bur-
rison's side ,'.and the third time, wrenching
the blade in the wound, Burrison fell sense
less to the floor. By this time the neighbors
/ began to be alarmed, and Croft made good
| his escape. Since that time Burrisoi has
been sinking and failing under the effects of
the injuries he then received, and when
! Deputy Sheriff Thompson, in answer to
dispatch. left Sleubenvlle for this city, to
take Croft back with him, Burrison was very
low, and was not expected to live from one
day to another
Croft is only about twenty-one years OF
age, and is intelligent looking; but, from his
own history of himself, he:.is certainly old in
crime, and possessor of very black and de-
2raved heart. He conlesses to numerous
crimes which he has committed, but says
that when he reac hes S,eubenvlle, whers
he has been raised, he will obtain $500, now
in the hands of his guardian, and by the pro-
per use of it, will ultimately make his escape.
AS stated in our issue of Saturday, Croft was
taken to Stubenvile on the early Saturday
mornings train. He was heavily ironed.-
Gin. Gazette.