Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1858-10-09
correspondence Of the MinnesOtidn.
The Wright County Murder and the
Hennepin County Homicide.

This hitherto quiet community was on Sun
day last startled by the report that IL. A
| WALLACE, one of our most esteemed citizens,
had been missing from his home for num-
Der of DAYS, and as he lived alone and some
what remote from neighbors, and as he was
known or rather supposed to have cOnsidera
BILE of an amount of money in his possession
fears were entertained of foul play and Wis
ions of a bloody murder, of CHASTITY corpse,
of fiends in human shape, haunted the night
ly sleep and the day dreams of the entire
community On Tuesday the 2lst inst, the
citizens turned out en- masse for general
search, which ended in the realization of our
worst fears. In his own meadow where he
had been haying, and not more than eighty
feet from the spot where he had been NOW
ing was found all that remained of II. A.
WALLACE.
An inquest was held by G. G. jerks, Esq,
and aoroner's jury of twelve citizens, and
after an investigation of all the facts as far
as known in the case, the following verdict
was given:
THAT II. A. WALLACE came to his death
by blows on his heal with an axe or some
other heavy instrument, inflicted by some
person or persons unknown to the jury"
There had he been slain in his own mead
ow. With feelings Of sorrow and sadness
his neighbors and friends gathered around
him and performed the last sad kindly Office
of committing dust to dust"
Mr.. w. was single man about % years
cid, native of Antrim, N. II. He came to
this town something over one year ago, took
a claim about miles north of here, and had
for him. Sine, that time he had been living
alone. 1t is evident that his house has been
entered and robbed of quite an amount of
provisions, such as -four and pork, &c. also
his watch and chain, worth $3.50, and rifle
Suspicion rests strong on certain individuals
in this vicinity, but we shall wait further de-
velopments.
But another murder, or homicide, was
committed on the other side of the river in
Hennepin county last Monday morning
about six ocloc...
AS Mr.. VIM. BRIGGS, who lived about two
miles south of Greenwood, was standing in
his own house, the door was suddenly open
ed by one of his neighbors by the name Of
JOHN MooRE and bullet from a Colts re-
volver struck him in the abdomen; without
any notice, without any warning, thus was he
shot down in his own house, and the question
arises, why was it done? Was it from NAL
ice aforethought-was it from hatred or re-
venge, or was it an act of insanity?
AS your correspondent has been acquainted
with the parties for the past 2 or 3 years, or
since they came to Minnesota it may be
necessary to give the public through your
columns short sketch of BRIGGS and
MOORE.
They both came to this place about three
years ago. MOORE lived alone; BRIGGS lived
with his brother JOHN. All were single men,
and as the term is, kept BACH" and lived a
mile or so apart.
About one year ago as BRIGGS and his bro
Their were returning from their work rather
late on Saturday night, they made some noise
as they passed MooREs cabin, or disturbed
him in some way, probably not Intentionally.
Be that as it may, Mos RE was very much Of
Tended, and the next time they passed made
assault on William, wi h the intention Of CIV
ing him: as he said, a threshing; but instead
got rather severely threshed himself, no.
thing very serious however. MOORE was
about his business the next day as usual !;
but since that time there has been no commu-
nicaton between them, but MOORE has often
complained that the BRIGGs's were troubling
him all the time, hooting at him in the woods,
pounding on his house nights and annoying
him in everyway. Last winter he says they
followed him to St. Paul and wherever he
stopped disturbed his sleep by calling him
names and by rapping on the house, and Oft
en- threatened to shoot them now this was
all talk, or he was mOnomaniac or this SUBJ
Ject for while he says they were disturbing
him they were quietly at home and very
probably never disturbed him in any way,
but were in fact quiet, peaceable, orderly
citizens, respected by all who knew them.
MOORE says that on last Sunday they were
about his house all day and all night, when
they Wee home al the time; and he says
that he made up his mind to shoot them
Monday morning. Mr.. BRIGGS lived about
20 hours after being shot. MOORE was ar
rested shortly after the deed had been COM
mitted and after an examination before A. w.
DORMAN, Esq, where he admitted the act ;
was sent to the Jail at St. Anthony to await
his trial. He seems to be perfectly sane on
all subjects, but the BRIGGS annoyance, but
for the last year he has said so much about
that that he has received the cognomen of
Crazy Moore.
Thus have BRIGGS and WALLACE, two of
our best citizens been suddenly and brutally
taken from our midst. 1t has cast a deep
shadow of gloom over the entire community
: where all has hitherto been safety, security
a.d peace ; may We never have such another
task of recording the worst phases of human
depravity. Yours truly,
ID. Ross FARNHAM.