Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-02-19

The New York Times, which has
her ;tofore regarded it as incredible that
this astounding murder was pcrpctratcd
by inmates Of the house has changed lis
opinion since the testimony of Farrell,
of whose vcracity it seems to entertain
no doubt. In an editorial article on
Wednesday,
The fact thus developed, of his going
to the front door, explains the indica-
tons which led us originally to the be-
lief that the murderer left the house
after the deed WAS donc-the appearance
Of blood upon the s~tairway-wall and the
easement Of the outer door. 1t seems
! now almost certain that Eckcl Was Sc
crcted in the Doctors room when he
entered, and that he dealt him the fatal
blow almost Immediately after he had
come in and seated himself at his desk.
The rapidity with which the whole was
accomplished Is shone by the statements
of the witness Farrell that not more
than a minute and a half elapsed after
the Doctors entrance before he heard
the cry, and then the fall, and that within
half Il minute after that Eckcl came to
the door.
Mrs. Cunningham is also identified as
having. in company with a gentleman,
on Friday, purchased a sword-canc i'll
Notwithstanding the kind desired,
and saying they must have it on that
day. This leaves it impossible to doubt
her completely in the murder, or that
the whole affair acas d~etibc1eteIy and $ys-
teno0ticaHy planned. How far other par
ties in the house were implicated, it is
impossible to conjecture. Nothing has
yet been shown to connect them with
this most shocking affair. But it will
be very difficult to convince the public
that no noise was heard by any of the
inmates on that night. II Mrs. Gun
bingham personally had any part in the
murder, her daughters must have sworn
falsely when they testified that she did
not leave her bed after retiring that
night. Of this, however, there is as yet
nothing like positive proof.
1t seems to be established, by several
witnesses, that there was Il noisc-that it
was very peculiar and loud enough to
attract attention in the street. Eckcl
was probably in the front room when
Burdell entered the back room, and on
going in to deal the blow he would be
likely to leave the door between the
rooms open. As one of the front win
dows was also open, a noise might very
easily be heard in the street without be-
ing very audible in other parts of the
house.
Eckel had taken off his coat and boot.
and fully prcparcdhimself for the oIoody
deed. He must also have left the house
that light to dispose of the weapons he
had used, his bloody clothes, and ether
mute witnesses of the murder, for these
could not all have beer burnt or put
out of the way within the house. What
disposition he has made of them will
probably come to light hereafter.
In spite of the horror that the fasten-
ing of such a crime upon Il woman must
inspire, the public mind will experience
a feeling of relief at the discovery ofthe
guilty parties, The prospect that the
deed would remain s~hroudedin darkness,
and It's perpetrators enjoy complete i'm
munity, induced a feeling of alarm and
discomfort. The disclosure of the mys-
terry will bring a corresponding senti-
ment of satisfaction.