American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-01-17

nc Std'ttinS tragedy, at Mon mouth,
Illinois, some weeks since, in which a
young man killed two brothers, 20 whose
sister he was eDgsged Ia be married,
has excited an extraordinary degree Of
public interest. The particulars ofthe
affair are ths:s given in the Aurora Bea.
con, as furnished by reliable gentle.
man who was ut Monmouth at the time
Mr., William Crnzler very respect.
able young man of Mnnmouth, a man
ut good character. good morals and a
member OF one of the churches. became
deeply attached to daughter of Mr..
VIM. Fleming, "fthe same place which
attachment was as strongly reciproca-
tod. But alas for the young man, al
though possessed VI an excellent char
acter, he was poor. This was sufficient
to array the father Who was repu,ed
to be wealthy. aud his SIMS against him.
They all bitterly opposed his aspirations
for the hand and heart Of the young la
dy, and sought every opportunity g to
show their feelings anj express their
contempt for the, poor young man. It
is reported that he had been accosted
by tho old man Fleming even in the
streets. and tainted with his want of
wealth. @ls EN' aa a,a" aai
"Ah! young man; you are getting up
in the world you would like TO marry
old Fleming's daughter and get some of
old FIeming's money, wouldn't youl"
The young mau. stung to the very
quick ct his sensitive soul, would put up
in silence, with the gracelsss insults
and not taunt back again, restrained BY
the deep affection for the daughter. To
stiHe if possible the love Of the yeuno
lady. her father determined to send her
away TO Pennsylvania, 80 that by alb.
senee aud distance. he might estranqe
her acknowledged affection for the
young man. In accordance with this
resolution, she was Gent but on taking
the cars was heard 10 express her in.
tention yet to marry Mr.. Crozier, in
spite OF the unkind efforts of her friends
to prevent it. After the young adv had
been, gone some lime, there were some
movements onthe part of Crozier, which
led the Flenings to suspect that he in.
tended TO follow her to the seclusion
they had provided for her. This led to
lheihorrible tragedy. gtUo
OuIhursday morning. December 11,h
Mr.. VIM. Fleming with his two sons.
Henry and John, and lawyer who
was employed by them for the occasion
proceeded to the Baldwin House in
Monmouth, where young Crozier board
cd, and between the hours of eight and
nine in the forenoon, requested an i'm
teryiew with hin: at his room. He went
with him as requested, aud when he had
entered the room tho elder Fleming
locked the door. There they re NAMED
ourinformant said, from about 8 o'clock
A. NJ, to 2 p. NJ. locked in. During
me time they were thus locked in, eve-
~ effort, was msdo by the Flemings,
both father and sons. and by tho lawyer
to induce Crozier to sign such wri.
ting as they should dictate, reuounciug
the young lady in question forever
This he resolutely refused TO do, in
spite Of threats and persuation, which
were freely used. sort of compro.
mise writing was finally agreed upon
aud signed, which was satisfactory to
the father but not to the sons. Thew
declared they would have revenge by
lashing him with whip they had bro't
tor tho purpose, which they proceeded
to execute.
After they had struck six or seven
blows, desperate scuflie ensued. One
OF the Flemings drew pistol and fred
at Crozier with intent to kill. Just as
ne firod, heweyer, the lawyer, struck
the hand which held the pistol, up, and
the charge lodged in the ceiling instead
oflhe head ofthe young man. Crozier
then assailed the assassin with a lack.
knife, stabbed and instantly killed him.
Meantime, the report of the pistol a
larmed the house, and the brother of
Crozier being there rushed 10 tho res
cue. Finding tho door locked on the
inside, he burst it open, and with ono
blow Knocked down the elder Fleming.
who opposed his passage. AS soon as
tho door was burst open the brother
who was last wounded, passed down in.
to the bar-room, fell aud expired. The
blow which felled the elder Fleming,
left him for time senseless.
Thus in attempting by force to com.
pei young Crozier to accede to their ty-
ranical demands, two brothers were
slain by the person assailed, and third
person was roughly handled.
When the deed was done Crozior vol.
UNFAIRLY surrendered himself TO the
proper officers for examination, and was
we understand, acquitted on the ground
ofjustifable homicide in self dsfence.
When it was expected that Crozier
was going to follow Miss Fleming to
Pennsylvania, another brother was dis.
patched post haste, to bring her home,
and when the fatal tragedy had occur.