M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1855-09-06
From the Sidney (Shelby COY Democrat.
Catholic Church Destroyed by the
Know NOIhiugS.

On last SATURDAY nlght between ten
and eleven o'clock the people Of our
town were aroused by report similar
to that Of a cannon, which upon exOm-
nations into its cause resulted from the
blowing up, with gunpowder. the ca tho.
lie Church in this place!
One or more kegs were placed under
the north end Of the building, probably
ten feet from the north side, train of
powder extended proba bly, twenty feet
into the street, TO bunch of shavings.
The shavings were fired which com
municated with the powder leading to
ithe keg or kegs under the building. aud
resulted as above announCed,in blowing
the building almost to atoms
SAn examina tion, by order Of the Town
Council, was held before Mayor New.
man last Wednesday afternoon, for The
purpose Of getting clue 10 the perpe'
traitors Of the act, but no facts were ellie
tied other than the community were pre-.
viously aware Of, We have not room t.
publish the testimony Of the witnesses
as reduced TO writing by the MAY ,and
handed to us for that purpose. We
will give all the main points,
Michael Mountain was first sworn
who testified that he lives on the wesr
side of the canal, nearly opposite where
the church stood, was in his house a
the time of the explosion ran TO the door
and looked out. the smoke was so dense
aronnd the church he could not see any
thing else. He heard two parties o
persons running, one party down the
canal, and the other party up the ca
nal,
VIM Serviss testified that he was a
his door shortly after the explosion. A
party of four boys or young men wer,
running down Ohio street. MIR. s. re
oides on Ohio street, about seventy.nv
yards to the north west of where tht
church stood.
Thomas w. Stephenson was mex
sworn, who testified that be vas Goln;
home about ten minutes past ten o'clocI
on Saturday night, when at the come
of Ohio and South street he noticed
fash of light, followed by an explosion
SO loud as TO completely stun him for
moment. The Catholic church was sit
uaied on South street, about one square
west OF where he stood. He ran acros
Ohio street and saw four persons run
ming from South street into an alley be
tween the church and where he the
stood. In few minutes party Of fou
persons came down, and passed alon
BY where he stood, painting as thoug
they were nearly out of breath, The
crossed Ohio street and proceeded to
wards the South part of town. They di
not stop to look at the church.
J, Benz. Mclean, of the firm of McLea
& Tay lor, testified that they had tw
kegs OF powder stolen from a n out builC
ing where they had placed it on Thur;
day evening preceding the des,ructio
OF the church. The powder was frs
found missing on last Sunday. Ii wa
the Dupont F. F. F. z. rife pOwde
kept in oak kegs. The powder genera
y sold in town. Mr.. Mclean testife
: is Austin & Kings. He saw one of tn
keg heads picked up near the church, o
which was the name Of J. w. DOnOhu,
, General Agent Cincinnati, for Dupont
powder.
The foregoing is sketch Of the mai
points Of the testimony taken by I'll
Mayor. We refrain from comments
regard 70 this alrocious act, for the pr,
sent. Many are the rumors afosI
the community, how near any OF theI
j are correct, we are not prepared TO sa
consequently we give none of the man
ayiIg REPORTS. A reward of $500 hi
, been offered by the Mayor for the al
prehension and conviction o. the perp
traitors Of this Gendish act--snd we VI
derstsnd a number Of our citizens ha
, also offered liberal rewards. We sir
(. ceiely hope the guilty persons may
speedily byough! TO justice.