The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1857-12-30
From the Rochester Democratic and American Dec a.
AN AWFUL TRAGEDY.
Murder Of a Cuizen near Falls Field.

Murder Of Caisen near Falls Field.
Bopy TmaowS Down rnE PRxclrIcE AND
DRAGGED INTO THE RIvEa.
Ayrest Of the WIFE of the Victim and her Rela-
tiues-Stroag Suspicious against Asem
INTENSE EXCITEMENT OF THE PEOPLE.
One of the most bloody and ter iblc murders
we have ever been called upon to record, was
rcrpetratcd in this city on Sunday night. The
case parallels in atrocity, and almost in mystery
and creates an excitement seldom cqualled in
any community. The victim is Chas. W.
Titles, a lawyer by profession. of the age Of
about IS years. He came ~ this city, from
Dansvillc, some five or six years ago, and en-
tered the office of Messrs. Hyde e. Mrdgc, as
law student. In 1856, he was admitted, and
subsequently was associated with Mr. Nudge
in the prosecution of pension claims. For the
last year he has been in tie Office Of Mr.. Henry
Hunter, and was employed there up to time of
his death. We learn that he was married some
city. but that they had not lived happily togc'h-
er, and year CT more ago separation took
place. He has however. for few months past
occasionally visited his wife, who was living
with her mother and brothers On Monmore
street. but there seems to have been iealousics
on both sides, which keIt up continued jar
and discord.
On Sunday morning about I o'clock, the
body of a man was discovered in the river be-
low the Falls exactly opposite the north line OF
Falls Field. The water at the place is shallow,
and instead Of being carried off, as was doubt
less intended, the action of the water threw it
towards the shore. Had it been thrown FIVE
rods turtle down, the current would have borne
it away. The night being dark, the probable
ity is that whoever took the body 10 the water
was unable see that it remained close to the
shore. This circumstance has led 10 prompt
discovery of the deed, and may yet aid in the
fur,herance of the ends Of justice.
The srot where the dreadful deed was perpe-
tratcd, as the pools of blood Enthusiastically in-
dictate, is on small spot Of ground between the
north fence Of Falls Field and the road to the
stone quarry, still lower down. and near the
hamburger Brewery. 1t is at the end Of the
lane leading to these places, and at the brink
of the precipice. The roadway north Of the
spot is cut down some ten feet, and it is not easy
to reach the elevated ground where the murder
was perpetrated. How the victim and those en-
gagged in the tragedy came to be there in the
night, is one of the mysteries yet to be un-
ravelled. Immediately on reaching the ground,
and about five rods from the prccipicc, is large
pool of blood. Here, no doubt, the first fatal
blow was struck. About ten or twelve feet
further towards the bank is another pool. Both
show that M. Littles must have remained in
| each place Tor several minutes. Within few
| feet Of the prccipicc another spot of blood is
seen, and it is also plainly visible on the earth
as the body was rolled down. On this spot q
desperate struggle must have taken place be.
| fore the deed was accomplished. Here was
| found a Veto inc, corresponding very nearly
with the one worn iy Mrs. Titles a rosette
matching ono found in her possession comb
a air If spectacles, said t. belong to Ira Stout,
her bro'hcr-a young man about p, % yca:s
Of agc-and the am Of chair, said to have
been taken from the Office where Litties was
employed. ..-..s .....
From tie level of tie spot above described
| to where the body struck when it was thrown
over. is some 25 or 30 feet. and from thence it
was dragged in a straight line to the water, over
rocks, brush and rough ground. over 100 feet
most of the distance being a steep tank. down
which the body mGy have rolled with but little
assistance. All the way down to the water the
bloody track is lain. 1t is with great Difficult.
| ty that the River IN be reached from the spot
dcsc;ibcd The path is steep. and the descent
| by daylight requires care, and in the night
| must be attended with some danger.
| The wounds, we believe, are all upon the
head, and they are numerous and Terrible
There arc three deep onfs over tho nose and
eyes, which are 80 regular and alike Us to induce
the belief that they were inflicted with three.
pronged weapon, ut a single hlow--.ossibly
| with rair of iron knuckles. On the side ard
back IF the head are others Of sinl:l'r char
acter, and so terrible as to render il probable
that the unfortunate man must have Teen al.
most instantly stunned and disabled. Upn his
person was found dirk, which was not drawn.
This leads to the sup os :tion that the attack
was sudden, and that in defending himself he
| had no opportunity t. get hold Of his weapon.
His gold watch and money were unmolcs;ed.
AS soon as the body was brought TO the pc.
lice ofiae and identified, officers Mclean,
| Green and Hanks re,aired to the residence Of
the Stout family. IS Monroe street, where they
arrested Sven persons. They are Mrs. Stout,
Mrs. Littl.s, daughter Of Ms. Stout Ira and
Eli Stout, the wife OF the last named, and a
small 10y AMI girl. children of Mrs. Stout
| Her husband is supposed 10 be in Pennsylvania.
having left here last ring. THE family came
to this city from that State several years Since.
| The ares ed persons were Immediately bro ght
to the police Office and placed in separate apart
ments by two Of the officers, while the other
remained to complete search of the house
| There were found several bloody garments. and
among them a skirt torn and jrst washed, but
| upon which there were still marks Of blood -
These were all secured aud taken to the dice
/ Office. Upon the victorine of Mrs. Litt'es in
her hair, and upon some of ler garments, were
| found Gurs. such as grow in abundance Gown
the bank whtre the body of Littlcs was dragged
But, as strange as all else. and pe,hafs moe
sus; icicus the left wrist of Mrs. Titles. and the
left arm, near the shoulder, Of lar Stout, ,cere
found broken! and other marks about them il :
dicating that they had been actors in some OK
traordinary occurrence. The fracture 10 yorng
Stout 8 arm had been attended to abort O'Clock
Sunday morning. iy DFs. Rapaile and Whbeck,
who were called for the purpose. Mrs. Titles
wrist had teen set, and she alleges that she
was not aware it was broken. These matters
are pretty fully alluded to in the testimony be.
f;re the jury. The reader will form his own
opinion as to the truth Of the statements OF the
implicated persons. We can only say that while
degree improbable.
! There are all sorts Of surmiees about the rca.
sons for Titles being 1t the spot where he was
murdered at late hour If the night, after he
was seen by several witnesses at his usual places
| of resort. Some believe that no was in com.
pany of some other female, was followed by his
wife and her brother. and that he was attacked
and his companion allowed to escape others
suppose he was dccoycd to the fatal spot for tho
purpose Of murder, while other surmises arc
plenty as to the motive and the manner in which
it was effected. Perhaps the dreadful mystery
may yet bc explained, and the guilty parties
brought to justice. @
The impression made by the .lcmcanor Of
Mrs. Titles and her brother uron the stand was
unfavorable, but We draw no inference as te
their guilt from their ap; eararce. They were
of course aware Of the susi icion ente. tanned
and seemed only a. xious to turn it Oft and
thwart the object Of the investigation
A COMP ARSON.
ted States. the one being about s., 600 900 and
/ tho oth..r % G0Q O0l X6f Il Il q Sinui.lae facj