The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1858-05-13
Another Horrid Murder

AAAObAVA AOAAAu GAAA NSA
On last Sunday, a most brutal and
cold -biooded murder was committed in
this township, about five miles from town,
in the neighborhood Of Berlin, by man
named Addison 4 Tho name of
the murdered ma Sug6t amin Wilson.
The deceased was s. Fd5ar neighbor Of
Keenan's, and went to his house about
ten o'clock on visit; keenan, was about
to start out squirrel hunting, having a
musket in his hands, heavily loaded with
shot. Wilson remarked that if he were
keenan,, he would not 60 out squirrel
hunting on the Sabbath, when Keenan,
raised the musket and shot him in the
mouth, tearing off the entire top of his
head. Drs. Clewers and Salmons inform
us that the brain was scattered across the
room, and some on the porch, outside the
opposite door. An Inquest was held by
j. w. Dickson, Coroner, on Sunday eve
ming.
keenan, Was arrested by the Coroner
and brought into town, and lodged in Jail.
On Monday evening, he had an examin-
alton before Geo. M. Adams, Esq. The
prosecution was conducted by l. Roberts
Esq, Prosecuting Attorney, assisted by
W. X. Hastings, Esq. D. Macklcy for
the defense.
The following was the testimony before
the justice:
DR.. j. w. Salmons sworn. | asked
Keenan, if he knew who that man was.
He said: 1t is Ben Wilson asked him
who killed him. He said he did it, Said
he did not know why be did it-some.
thing came over him that caused him to
do THE did not know why he did it.
Prisoner is a drinking man. Witness
believes that he is partially insane. He
Talked about witches and ghosts, and did
not act like sane man.
DR.. T. Il. Clewers sworn. Prisoner
told US how the gun was loaded, Had
shot in it. lie WAS asked if he had not
been in a lunatic asylum once in Virgin
10. Said he had been Told DR.. Sal.
mons he had been confined in an asylum
in Staunton, Virginia Witness thinks
the prisoaer is partially insane. Could
not hear Of any possible motive for com.
mitting the crime.
]. w Dickson sworn. Was sent for
TO hold an inquest on the body of the
murdered man, and agree with the other
witnesses as to'the confession. Prisoner
said he did not know why he committed
the crime would not that it had hap.
peDed for halfthe State of Ohio. Acted
very strangely, and said mice and rats
were running up his legs.
John Mcclure sworn. Heard the re-
port OF II gun, and Keenan's wife scream
ing and saying SeUme here for Gods
sake; Addison has gone crazy and killed
Ben Wilson - Saw keenan, walking off
and looking back. lie die not run. lie
said be- Id done the deed Knew OF no
difficulty Between the parties. Live near
le prisoner and the murdered man.
= peighbor together. Prisoner did
as he usually did. Had not
with him.
filler sworn. Heard the con-
yefsaiion referred toby the other witness.
!. es, and corroborale them statements, Saw
strange difference in the conduct Of the
prisoner. He was formerly laxative,
but after the murder he was reserved,
Never heard of any difficulty between
the parties. They lived friendly as other
neighbors.
John McGhec corroborated the others
as 10 the confession.
The above are the principal points o
the testimony. IL addition, it was in ev'
idence that the prisoner had formerly
had some difficulty with bis wife. and he
tod one Of the witnesses that no bully
should lay bis hand on his wife and escape
being shot.
| The prisoner left as soon as =
- lrder, and. v
t.tf