American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-10-27
NEWS DEPARTMENT..
From the Cumberland Msn<r's Jonrnll.
Heart.rending Calamity-The Most
FlendiSh Murder on Record

A dark gloom has been coz, over our usu.
ally happy town, bya brutal and mos, fen.
dish murder Of two Of Its most respected cit.
izens. A report was circulated on Monday
last, that the body Of q murdered man was
found in a cuvert near the old turnpike. a.
pou, two miles and bali from town. In
the evening the body WAS removed from
where 1t had been partially buried among
the rocks and brought in, for the further s1.
animation of the Coroner's Jury. A number
OF gentlemen were presen, upon ito arrival.
aud the features of The deceased were recog.
n'zed by nearly every one to be those of
young German named Graft "a s,udent) aud
companion Of DR.. J. +. c. Hadel, formerly
Health Commissioner of Baltimore, but for
some time past pIacticing physician in this
place. Upon further examination he wos
fosnd to have been shot in the back, aud
been entirely stripped of clothing. |, was
moved BY those present tha, a s,ric, search
be Immediately instituted, and the motion
on the instant carried into effect. |, was
soon ascerlained that the unfortunate Graft
was seen on the previous day Sunday leav.
Ing the office of DR.. Hadel, in com pany with
another man, and fastening cut of town in
the direction Of the old turnpike, and carry
ing on his arm all overcoat, and in his hand
bundle. Further information was obtain
ed BY strict investigation, that the same in.
div'dual had been seen early the same NOR.
ming, that about daylight he had applied a,
the Tavern Of Mr.. RineheaIt for board bin,
was refused. 1t was also ascertained ,ha,
he had purchased the same morning Store
box from the firm of King and Smith. which
box was marked with their names. By fol.
lowing these circums to noes il was ascertoio.
ed he had not left town BY any Of the trains
and that his baggage had been removed 10
the house of Dedrick Lear, in North Mechan.
Io street. Watchmsn Reed with posse
OF men Immediately repaired to Lear's and
surrounded the house. Reed and few q.
Tiers entered and found the prisoner in bed.
A large bundle was found in the room
containing two pair of DR.. H's pants, a YES,
and other clothing-also his overcoa, A
box was also found. marked ,Sith the names
Of King and Smith, and opening it, books
known 10 have been the Doctors and one
marked with his name, even the white ba,
which he usually wore, was crammed in on.
corner, and many other things known to have
been his. In his pockets were phiaIs of
medicines, and keys of The office and book
case.
An old pocket book was found con tanning
heavy gold ring with the Doctors initials,
and gold shirt buttons. On his person two
watches. gold watch and small silver one
both recognized-the former as the Doctors
and the latter as the property of poor Graf.
These things DR.. Hadel always wore on his
person, and the discovery Immediately ava
kened The horrible suspicion, that the Doctor
also was victim of this arch murderer Hs
had been missing Tor day and no one had
seen him. His Office was SEARCHED an6
found in great confusion, but nothing of bjs
remains could be found, neither would the
prisoner dlvulge one sentence, bu, kept all
Inc while logged, sullen silence. AT dav
break the bells toled, and the citizens left
town in crowds, TO renew the search N ro,
the surrounding country. A, this period
The excitement became intense-proups
were seen knotted together, where even the
most sedate gave vent to their anathemas.
In the course OF two or three hours messen.
gers arrived bearing the startling intelli.
gence, that the remains had been found n.
bout a miles from town, lying in tho woods
most horribly mutllated. The head had been
severed entirely from the neck, and parts of
The body destroyed by swine. The head
was subsequently found buried a the foot Of
tree, and the fea lures of the unfortunate
and lamented Doctor were Recognized. On
the announcement Of this horrible ntelli.
gence, the blood seemed to stand still, cheeks
blanched, and lips quivered, and several men
OF family who thought of the wife of the de-.
ceased and his dear little ones, relieved
their hearts from the crushing pressure of
pain, pity and revenge, by co2ious tears
Ii was no low murmur that was heard 90.
ing from mouth to mouth, it was the feeling
OF every heart--the ou,burst from every
tongue 10 lynch him on the spot. But as
good citizens, law-abiding, and respecting
the institutions Of their country under the
most aggravating circumstances they will
leave him to the fate, which that law will
most certainly mete out to him. May Pro.
whence in hi s infinite goodness, have mercy
on soul 50 deformed aud hardened. The
prisoner is said to be from Germany, by the
name OF Miller or Muller, and is now oonin.
ell in cell in the county Jail. Fortunately
the Circuit Court is now in session, and be-.
fore lis termination il is hoped The prisoner
will have his trial. The remains of DR.. Ha.
del were sent TO Baltimore TO his friends in
"Wednesday morning's express train. The
Odd Fellows on the same morning consigned
their unfortunate and much respected broth.
er Graf!, 10 his final resting pIace--a grave
h.. a 4.