The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-09-21
Startling Discl0sures--Incest-. Infant.
icfde-.Adultery--Fli ght..S0cial Dis
grace. -t s,r7
, of thesSt. Louis Republican.

Correspondence of thesst. Louis Republican.
LkwRENCEvILLE, Aug. 81.
Our usually quiet town has been the scene
of domestic drama, wherein it is alleged
has stalked the triple crime of incest, mur-
der and adultery. The family to which this
startling charge pertains is one of the Oldest
and most highly respectable in Lawrence
county. The head Of the family is well
known by most of the public men of the
State, having been connected with the Leg
islature, and also filled responsible position
in the service of the last House of Repre-
sentatives. Rumors of these things have
been afoat two weeks or so. When first it
was whispered, it was too shocking to be
believed, but so positive were the charges,
and so general did the rumor become that
a committee was appointed to investigate
the matter and ascertain the truth. The
charges were that there had been an inces.
tOus competition between son and daughter
of the family-that child was born, living
and well-that, to avoid disclosure, the
child was disposed of by violent means,
and that the mother Of those lecherous chill
dren had been guilty of adultery with
physician resident in the family. The au-
thor of these charges was woman who
lived in the family. Her testimony was
taken by the committee. But she did not
command full credence, and corroborating
proof was deemed necessary. She indicated
the place where the body of the child was
buried. 1t was sought for there and not found
at first, and doubt was entertained of the
truth of the tale. A further search, how
ever, resulted in the exhuming Of the body
Of newly born infant, with unmistakable
marks of death by violence. The Coroner
was summoned, and an inquest held, and
verdict rendered in accordance with the
partial facts discovered. 1t was the inten-
tion of those acting in the matter to have
warrants issued for the immediate arrest of
the entire family. They would undoubtedly
have been arrested to-day, but on Saturday
night, by the midnight train, the entire fami-
ly fled westward, thus confessing the charges,
and confirming the doubling convictions of
many who would gladly have learned that
the family were not chargeable with such
crimes. -... ..t.
The head of the family was much in debt,
and today executions by the doz have
been issued against his property, shingliug
it we'll, and covering all. In the minds Of
many there is cordial sympathy felt for
him, as being the victim Of the disgrace and
infamy brought upon his household by those
bound to him by indissoluble ties. 1t is
hoped and believed that be was altogether
unsuspectiDg and innocent, and that be was
no participator in the guilty taking off of
the offspring of his son and daughter, and
that every crime in this domestic tragedy
was without his connivance or knowledge.
The Grand Jury will undoubtedly find a
bill OF Indictment against all parties con-
cerned. But whether they can ever be
reached, is of course matter of doubt. 1t
will be exceedingly difficult, however, for a
family of four persons to escape detection
and arrest, if the officers of the law are in
earnest in the endeavor to find and take
them.