The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1856-12-27
TIE Monmouth Tragedy.


despatch in reference TO the killing OF tw"
brothers Fleming by young Crczier, at Mon
mouth. We find in the Aurora Beacon he
following particulars of this lamen'able al
fair. They were communicated 20 the Bea-
con b. gentleman who was in Monmouth
a, the time of the occurrence:
Mr.. William CrOzier, very respectable
vcune nan Of Monmouth, man OF good
character, good morals, and member oil one
of the churches, became deeply attached TO
= daurhter Of Mr. William Fleming, OF the
same place, which attachment was rs strong
" reciprocalcd. But alas for tie young
man. although possessed OF IN excellent GA
ractcr. he was poor. This was sufficient to
array the f1thtr, who was rcputcd to be
wealthy, and the sens against him. They
all bitterly opposed his aspirations for tho
hand and heart OF the young lady, and sought
every opportunity to show their feelings and
express their contempt for tie poor young
man. 1t is reported that he had been ac-
costcd by the old man Fleming even in the
streets. and tainted with h want of wealth.
All young man, you are getting up in
the world, YOU would like 10 marry Old
F!cminc's daughter. and get some of old
F!emiug's money, wouldn't YOU
The Young man, though stung 10 the very
olick Of his sensitive soul, would put up, III
Silence. with the grace!Css insults, and not
taunt back again, restrained by the deep al
fiction for the daughter. To stIiie, II posi-
be, tie love Of the young lady, her father
determined to send her away 10 Pcnnsylva-
MA, 90 that by absence and distance, he
might estrange her acknowledged affection
for the yo;.n. man. In accordance with this
resolution she was sent, but on taking the
cars, she was heard to express her intention
vet TO marry Mr.. Crozier, in spite Of the I'M
kind efforts Of her friends 10 prevent II -
After the young lady had been gone some
/ time, there were some movements on the
part Of Crozicr. which led the Flenlings to
+ suspcct tia; he intended TO follow her to
+ the scclu>i9n ;Lcy had provided for her.
/ This led to the horrible tragedy.
( On Thursday morning, December Il, Mr..
William Fleming, with LIS two sons, Henry
and John, AMI a lawyer, who was employ ed
. by them for the occasion. Jlr9cSG.GGt ySSJsi!5
/ Croz!er boarded, and between the hours OF
I eight and nine III the forenoon, requested an
. interview with him at his room. lie went
with then, as requested, and when he had
entered the room, the elder Fleming locked
t4e door. There they remained, our inform
ant said, from about 9 o'clock \. VI. to
o'clock T. NJ, locked in. During the time
they were thus locked in, every effort was
made by the r., mIngS, both father and sons.
and by the lawyer, 10 induce Crozier 10 sign
such i writing a. they should dictate, re-
ncuncing the young lady in question for
ever. lhIs la T,--iUtciy refused To 90 ~
spite OF threats ana pCr.uas!oH>, which were
freely used. \ SORT Of compromise wiring
was finally agreed upon and signed, " hich
was satisfactory to the father but not TO the
sors. They declared they would have re-
yenge 10y flashing him with a whip they had
bought tor the purpose, which they proceed
a cC. To- tX- cute.
Af CT they hid struck SIX or seven blows
CrOzicr dctcrm ned 10 resist with al LIs
might. y desperate scutle ensued. Ore OF
the FlominSs drew pistol and fired at {: @
zier with intent TO Kill. Just as he fired,
however, the lawyer struck the hand which
held the pi-tOl up, and the charge lodged IN
tie ceiling instead of the head of the young
man. CIOZicr then assailyd the assassin
with jack-kn.c, stabbed him and instantly
kil,d Inn, ard as quick a. thought, with
drew the nriic, and struck the one VINO ht ii
tie pistol back handed blow, which reach
eli, a. did the first, the heart Of his victim.
Both brothers received their death wounds
in less than TWO seconds, and were both
bloody c, rpSCs III three minutes after they
( were struck. Meantime the report of the
stOl alarmed the house, and the brother of
Croz;cr being there rushed 10 the res, ue
Finding the door locked on the inside he
burst IT open and with one bow knocked
down the elder Fleming, who opposed his
passage. As soon as the door WAS burst
open the brother who was last wounded,
passed down into the bar room, fell aud cx-
pred The blow which ieiicd the cider
Fleming lett him for a time sense less.
Thus IN attempting 10y force to compel
Young Grocer to accede to their tyranca
: demands, two brothers were slain by the
person :>sa.led, and the third person was
roughly handled.
When tile decd was done Crozier voun-
tariiy surrendered himself TO the proper Off
GERS for examination. and was. we under
stand, acquitted ON the ground of justiiiable
homicide III seli-defcnce.
When it was suspected that Crozicr was
going to follow Miss Fleming to Pennsylva-
/ MIA, another brother was dispatched post
+ haste, to bring her home, and when the final
tragedy occurred, they had not returned.