Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1857-01-30
love and Deash---a Terrible Ira
geGy lin Illinois.

fair at Monmouth, Warren county, Illinois.
They were communicated to the Beacon by
gentleman Sho was ia Monmouth at the
time of their ccenrence:
Mr.. Wa. Crozier, very respectable
young man Of Monmouth, man of good
character, good morals, and member of
one of the churches. became deeply at
tacheI TO daughter of Mr.. Wm Fleming,
of the same place, which attachment was as
strongly reeiprocated But alas for the
young man, although possessed Of an ex-
ceiient character, he was poor. This was
sufficient to array The father, who was re-
puled 10 be wealthy, and the sons, against
him. They ali bitterly opposed his aspIra-
tions for the hand anu heart of lbe young
lady, and sought every opportunity to show
their feelings and express their contclnpt
for the poor young man. Ii is reported
that he had been accosted by the old man
Fleming even i'll the streets, and ,auned
with bis want of wealth.
'Ah, youug mar, you are getting up in
the world; you would ike TO marry old
Fleming's daughter. and get some of cid
Fleming's money, wouldn't yoql
The young man, Though stuug to The
very quick Of his sensitive soul, would put
up, in silencc, with the graceless insults,
and not taunt back again, restrcined by the
deep affection for the daughter. To stfe.
if possible, the love of the young lady, her
father determined te send her away to Penh-
sylvauia, so that by absence and distance
! lie might estrangc her acknowledged aifec-
ton for the young man. La accordance
| with this resolution she was seut. bui on
taking the cars, she was heard TO express
her intention yet to marry NJ. Crczier, in
| spite of he unkiad Efforts os her fricnds TO
prevent it, After lie young lady had been
gone some time, there were some move
nierts on the part Of Croaier, which led the
Flemngs 10 suspect that be intended to
follow her 10 the seelusion they had Froyi-
ded for her. This led 10 the horrible tra-
gedv.
| On Thursday morning, Dec. II, Mr..
Wm. Fleming, with bis two sons, Henry
aud John, with lawyer who was employed
| by them for the occasion, preceded TO the
Baldwin Hpnse, in Monmouth, where young
| Crczier boarded, aud between the hours OF
S and in the forenoon, requested an ia
/ terriew with him at his room He went
with them, as requested, and when be had
entered the room, the elder Fleming lock-
ed the door. There they remained, our in
formant said, from abouut 9 o'clock, A.
/ ~, to = P. NJ, locked in. During the
time they were thus locked in. every effort
was made by the Flemings, both father and
SOD, and by the lawyer, TO induce Crczier
to sign such a writing as they should die
tate, renouncing the young lady in ques-
tiou forever. This he resoluteiy refused
to do, in spite Of threats and persuasions,
vAieh we're freely used. A sort Of COIN
promise writing was finally agreed upon
and signed, which was satisfactory to tic
father, but not to the sons. They declared
they would have revenge by lasbing hin
with whip they brought for the purpose
which they proceeded to execute.
After they had struck six or seven blows
Crozier determined to resist with all his
uight. A desperate scuffie ensued. One
of The Flemiags drew pistol aud fred at
Crozier with intent 20 kill. Just as hi
fred, however, the lawyer struck the hand
which held the pistol up, and the charge
lodged in the ceiling instead Of the head oi
the young man. Crozier then assailed the
assassin with jack knife, stabbed him,an
instantly killed him. Meantime, the re-
port of the pislo. alarmed the house, and
the brother Of Crosier being there. rushed
to the rescue. Finding the door locked Oh
The inside, be burst it open, aud with ono
blow Knocked down the elder Fleming, who
opposed his passage. AS soon as the dooi
was burst opeu, the brother who was las
wounded passed down into the bar room
| fell aud expired. The blow which felIee
the elder Fleming left him for ,ilao sense
less.
Thus in attempting by force to compe
young Crozier 10 accede TO their tyranniea
demands, ,wo brothers were slain BY til,
person assaiied, aud the third person rough
ly handled.
When the deed was doue, Crozier volnn
tariy surrendered himself TO the propc
officers for examination, aud was. we un
derstand, acquitted On the ground Of JUS
tifsble homicide in self defence.
When ii was suspected that Crozier wa
going to folloT Miss Fleming TO Pcnnsyl
vania, another brother was dispatched pos
haste, TO bring her homo, and when the ia
tai tragedy occurred they had not returned