The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-11-10
Stacking Murder.

TN Friday evening oil last Week, a"out
shutdown, an atrocious murder was commit
ted in the town of Brookiield, twelve miles
east Of Ottawa, in this county, the facts OF
which, rs elected at the coroner's inquest,
are abou, nc follows:
The name of the murderer is Daniel Pur-
cell, an IriShman. lie was formerly Ia
borer on the canal, but for the last six or
eight years has lived in the town of Brook
field. Some eighteen months ago he married
a second or third wife, and lived with her in
a cabin near the river opposite Marsci'lcS;
but being drunken, brutal man, treated
her so badly that some ten days before the
murder she left him, and went to the house
of Mr.. Richard Jackson, a mile or two Oft
On the day Of The murder, he had, in com
pany with two or three others, been drink
ing deeply, and towards evening, borrowed
the rife of one of his companions, saying he
wanted it next day to shoot dog, The
next heard Of him is, that he called at n
neighbors, named Boyd told Mr.. B. to pay
small amount he owed him to his (Pur-
cells children, as he intended TO leave the
country He then proceeded to Jackson's,
and knocked at the north door, which opened
into room where the family were at tea
Mr.. J. invited him in friendly way TO take
tea with them; which he declined, and de
mandel, in somewhat excited way, whether
his wife was there and being answered that
she was, he said he wanted Mr. j. to pay
him dollar day for every day she had
been there Mr.. j., in half laughing way,
said he should DO no such thing; when Pur.
cell raised his rifle and saving "then III
shoot you, almost instantly ircd. The ball
entered Jackson's left side, near the breast,
and killed Kim instantly Tho conclusion
OF the gun was SO great as to put out the
light, and break the glass in the windows,
throwing the family into the utmost terror
and confusion. From Jackson's the muir
derer returned to Boyds-saii be wanted to
load his gun-tlat he had killed Jackson,
and wanted to Kill himself Some powder
was given him, but his story in reference to
Jackson and his desperate look so frightened
the family that they all fled. He succeeded
in getting the gun loaded, but having no cap,
he next went home to his cabin, where he
arrived wet, as if he had been in the river.
He told his children what he had done, and
said he intended to drown himself; but first
wanted to see them. His children also fled
in terror. He then appears TO have un-
dressed and gone to bed, whore, with a razor
that was found in the bed, lac attempted to
cut his throat, making hdeous, but not
dangerous cash below his chin, which bed
proiusely. Thus all covered with blood, and
with nothing on but his shirt and blanket
around him, he next appeared at the house
of Mr.. Geo. Galloway, apparently in search
Of his children. The family also fled in ter.
ror, but Mr.. q. learning what he had done,
fastened to neighbours for help to arrest
and tie him; but when he returned Purcell
was gone, and nothing has since been seen
or heard Of him, although the most diligcnt
search has been made by from fifty to one
hundred men from that day to this The
probability is, that the man has either flung
himself into the river, or has persisted in
some Of the thickets or morasses that abound