Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1858-10-15
A LONG.CONCEA LED MURDER
BROUGHT TO LIGHT.

human being in the woods some fifteen
miles from the city, in the township Of
Taylor. The remains consisted Of bones
which had been exposed to the weather
for such length Of time that they we're
entirely devoid of flesh. These with
fragments Of clothing were collected and
preserved. The search being continued,
valise was also found, which, upon in
Vestigation. revealed a mum Der of articles,
among others quite a stock ofleters,
which were published in the Free Press
With view of ascertaining. il possible,
the identify of the man. So far from sup.
posing that the case involved any myste>
ry. 1t was merely thought that the per-
son. whoever he was, had wandered off
In tit Of insanity, and died in the woods
Facts developed themselves differently,
however.
But short time elapsed before we re-
eieved letters from friends and relatives
OF the uniorIunete man, giving a state.
ment which set the matter in a new light,
and demanded attention at once. By
these accounts it was ascertained that the
remains were, beyond a doubt, those Of
Mr.. John Hickey. a railroad freight cou-
ductor. recently at the time Of his death,
stances as given US by his relatives. resi-
ding in Milford. Conn. weIe as follows:
Hickey left Connecticut in July, 1857. in
company with an lrishman named John
Kennedy. intending to 90 to Chicago -
He took with him about 81 500 in gold.
the result OF his savings at the S ,uth.-
Kennedy had no money. aud Hickey paid
hiS fare for him. G,'ttrn.; -u,Uro wa-
IN
tUber. when Hlckey's relatives received n
letter from Kennedy stating that he had
returned TO New York, and Hickey had
gone to Ireland. He enclosed the Key to
Hickey's trunk, and stated that when the y
got TO Detroit. Hickey changed his mind
and concluded to go to ireland. leav NJ
his trunk and other personal property in
his hands. to be returned to his relatives.
The absurdity of those statements at
once aroused suspicion. but as Hickey .
friends were of the poorer class Of people.
no steps we're taken to arrest Kennedy.
The discovery Of the remains and publ.
cation Of the letters in the Free Press,
which were signed by the persons from
whom We received communications, dis
closing the facts; revealing to us the ex-
istence Of an enormous crime, and to the
friends Of the murdered man the locality
aud the perpetrator of the murder. The
latter was known to be in Charleston, S.
c., at the time Of these developm ents, do
ing nothing and sporting plenty of money.
He had written from that place a second
letter. reiterating his former statements.
and rendering suspicion stronger by the
anxiety he manifested to cover up crime.
As the matter was one Of the greatest ion
Portauce, the letters were at once placed
In the hands Of Messrs. Tuttle aud Champ,
private detectives Of this city. and it was
left for them to prosecute. Communica-
tion was established with the police oi
Charleston. S. c., with directions TO ar.
rest Kennedy.
Several weeks had elapsed. however,
aud in the meantime the Free Press had
found its way there. and Kennedy lad
become informed Of the discovery Of his
crime. The Mayor Of Charleston wrote
to this city that Kennedy had dec ,mped
a few days previous to the receipt by him
of directions for his arrest. He was lost
sight of here. a few days after " ard
word came from Milford that Kennedy
had arrived in New York city. and was
staying there with relatives. Officer
Champ at once started for New York.
and with the aid Of ex- Chef Matsell's
Independent police agency. after several
days search. found. that the murderer
was again out of reach. having gone west
after a stay Of day or two in New York
Mr.. Matsell at once established a system
ofespiouage which was calculated TO en-.
trap him, if he ventured to return or com
muuicate with his friends in that city.
and officer Champ returned. The private
police agencies in all the principal cities
IN the Union. from Boston to New Orleans,
were notified Of the case and placed on
their guard. These extended efforts soon
produced further development. through
the agency Of Messrs. G. P. Bradley &
Co.'S detective police agency in Chicago.
These energetic detectives succeeded in
tracing the murderer to Joliet. ILL.,, and
sent an officer down to apprehend him.
Again the agent of justice was too late,
aud the mortifying Intelligence was re.
turned that Kennedy had received a let>
ter three days before, from friends at
Charleston. S. c., warning him of his
danger. He at once took to flight and
has not since been heard from. This oc
CURED in June last.
We have here a case which does not
often occur. A man is murdered. rob
he'd and laft in the ,voods ;, IT, ,.:,I.. II