The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-05-08
Murder Case nj IniIpf.

Passing through Joliet on Tuesday, we
found the absorbing subject OF conversation
among the people, all of whom Chat we
saw appearing more or less excited, to be a
shocking murder case that had just come TO
light. We copy the following details from
the Signal Of Tuesday:
On Thursday last, the body Of female
was discovered partly covered with dirt and
stones, in n ravine in the grove about one
mile southeast of this city. The body Mas
so much decsyed that it was impossible to
recognize the features, but it was evident
that the deceased had come to her death by
violence 4 deep wound was found in the
temple or scull near the left eye, and also
a wound in the right breast. The hands
and feet had been cut off and were found
buried with the body. An inquest was held
BY Coroner Reece, and the verdict of the
jury was in accordance with the above facts.
Here the matter rested until Saturday,
when lady residing in the north part OF
the city. hearing Of the finding OF the body
and the inquest, waited upon Marshal VAN
Aukcn and informed him Of the mysterious
disappearance OF her daughter, aged about
sixteen years, some three weeks previous.
The Marshal and Coroner had the boy
[
mother and other persons as that OF the
young lady " no was missing. The name OF
the unfortun; tc girl was Mary Moore. Cir
cumstances are detailed by the mother
which leave but little doubt that our city
has been the scene Of one Of the most shock
:ns and Giabolical murders On record. She
says her daughter was seduced by David
Richardson. man who has borne a good
reputation since his residence in the city,
and that she was eHcjcEtG at the me Of her
disappearance. Under this state Of facts,
Richardson was arrcste on Sunday morn
ing. by Marshal Van Auken, but as lis ex-
aminination has no; been completed yet, we
forbear giving a statement OF the evidence
against him.
We shall not PREJUDICE, but we will say
If there is any virtue in law let il be applied
now. 4 young and unprotected girl has
been seduced and ruined by demon in
human shape, and murdered in our midst to
hide her destrover's guilt. 1t is enough to
make ones blood run cold to think of the
horrid crime We know not il Richardson
is guilty Of the awful deed, but circum-
stances point to him as the man. If it is
shown. as il seems it will be, that he was
the cause of the disgrace and death Of the
girl. he is guilty of double murder, and
should not be allowed to live among men.
We also find the following on the same
subject in the Chicago Journal Of Wednes-
day:
The JOLIET Murder CAsE.-The excite
ment against Richardson, the man arrested
for the murder of the English girl, whose
body was found in a stone quarry on Thurs
day, is intense at Joliet, and it was feared
he would be lynched. We learn hy passen-
gers by the railroad this morning, that
nothing new had transpIred with the excep-
: ton that the body of a newly born child was
found yesterday in the river, which is sup
posed to have been the illigitimate child Of
the murdered girl.
/ 1t appears that Richardson had become
I intimate with the girl, and probably seduced
. her under promise Of marriage. Becoming
eEcieHte, he wished to get rid of her, and
one evening about three weeks ego, she left
the house of her mother with IA II, and that
was the last time she had been seen alive.
He told her mother that be had sent her off
TO procure an abortion, and until the body
was found she supposed this was the truth.
! The evidence OF his guilt is so strong that
I his conviction is thought 10 be certain.