Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1856-10-16
aitnED1IA M IiIS, VIVIAN ANp

M.
CHILD BKUTALLY MURDERED.
horrible tragedy occurred at Bsrholtz, a Ger,
man settlement IN the town of Wheatfeld, 10 this
county, on Saturday night last being nothing less
than than the cold blooded Of butchery llr. 7. q.
Strange, his housekeeper and his daughter by some
person or persons as yet unknown.
sunday morning, as one OF the dootOr's ueghb Ors
was proceeding along the road leading from the docs
tors house south be CRIME upon the ifeess body ly.
ing in tho rond with pool OF blood by its side. He
had been murdered with an axe, he having been
struck four blows with it, ono on the right side of
the face two on the back of the hea. and one upon
the right side: The murderer videntIy meant to
make sure work as either blow would have killed
the victim. Ca proceeding to his house "a mile lis
tant, still more horrible sight presented ITSELF
Upon the floor was the bleeding corpse of Mrs
Barleau, the housekeeper of Dr. Strange her head
having been literally cut Ia Two by the same nstru-
ment which had caused the dea th of the Doctor and
short distance from her, upon the bed, was found
tho liteless remains Of the young daughter Of DR.
Strange, Thv girl like the others had been killed
by axe. The first blow had heen given on the
side Of the face and before the second the victim had
raised the arm in lfdefence and received the Sc
cond blow upon the elbow the heshy part of the
arm, The FIRST blow must have caused almost in
slant death.
So far not the slightest clue to the perpetrator of
this horrible deed or the cause which led to It, had
been eliOlted neighbor of DR., Strange, who lives
near by, was up all Saturday night finish
ing pair Of boots which he had promised, but said
he heard nothing to excite his attention. The gen.
eral impressioni Is that the person or persons who
committed the murder went tn the house and called
the doctor away On business He had large over
coat on, and lantern, which be always carried
when going out at nights, was found near where his
body lay. ,..s. .-l.. .-,,
Il Is supposed that after numbering the doctor
the assassin went back and murdered the woman
and child 10 prevent detection. Mrs. BarIeau,
when found had candle In one hand aud matches
IN the other, and was probably about to make
light when she was struck the deadly blow. DR..
Strange Is between forty, and fifty years
DID and has baen In this country about six years,
and has resided all this time at Berghotz. Ito
separated from his wife about two years ago, since
~hen she has lived in Buffalo.
Mrs. Barleau Is a woman about thirty years old,
and has kept house for DR.. S, since his wife left :
She has husband in Germany, whom she was ex.
pecting here daily y TIE other victim was DR.,
Stranges daughter beautiful young girl about
thirteen years old. Amid the speoulations whiSh
such a startling tragedy always gives rise to, the
only one which has pretended to give any solution
of the crime is this There has been a hoop maker
living near Bergholtz for whom the Doctor has prao.
tised good deal aud who owed him quite large
hill Frequent quarrels have risen out Of this fact.
This man moved 10 Buffalo short time age, how
ever, and there IL direct testimony that be has
boon about Bergsoltz latelY,-Loek. IN P)COWr.