Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-03-20
TRAGEDY IN JuN1ATA COUNTY.

Henry Aucker, an old citizen oil Juniata
county was brutally murdered by two ruinans
who entered the house for the purpose oil rob-
bing him. Mr.. A. was seventy years of age,
and reputed to be wealthy. The Juaiata SEN
tinel gives the following particulars OF the
murder :-ssBetween seven and light O'Clock {,
Saturday evening, two men came.t the house
and ask ed for admission. There were. at the
time, three persons in the house, Mr.. 4ucker,
an old lady who acted as housekeeper, and 4
grand daughter of Mr.. Aucker, aged about
fourteen wears. Mr.. Aucker and the old lady
had retired. When the two men knocked at
the door the girl went to her grand father and
told him that two men desired admission into
the house. Mr.. Aucker told The girl to admit
them. As soon as they entered, one sat on the
wood box near the stove, and the other sat on
a chair near the door at which they entered.
They then inquired of the girl who were in
the house, who told them, but said they were
both in bed. They then told her that they
whished to see Mr.. Aucker, who got up and
came into the room. After converSing with
them on various topics for about fifteen min
uteS he asked them what they wanted. The
large man told him that they wanted his mon
ey. Mr.. A. told them that there was not SO
about the house, and that they might search if
they desired to. He then got up and went to
the door leading to his bed room, over which
hung his rifle. He opened the door and reach
ed for his gun, aud as aoon as he got it in his
possession. the tall man went up to him and
shot him with pistol through the arm. near
the elbow. Failing 10 PROSTATE him with the
pistol, he drew from under his garments
hatchet, and struck him three times the
head, which caused him to fall on the floor in
an insensible condition. The ruffians, as If
alarmed at their OWE work, Immediately fled,
without making any search for what they came
after. The little girl ran at once to the near
est neighbors and gave the alarm, and soon
the whole neghborhood was apprised of the
atrocious murder. Mr.. Aucler ded in about
an hour and a half after receiving the injury,
without being able to speak word. The next
morning a man upon observing the tracks
leading from the house, Immediately said that
one of the men John Lowering. Suspi-
con Immediately rested upon him and a man
named Zimmerman, and men started off in
pursuit of them. Zimmerman, arrested
but at once proved bis innocence and was dis
charged. Lowering and a man named Samuel
Howder had left Zimmerman's residence a.
bout six O'Clock on Saturday evening. How
der arrested in NJ M'Allistervile about six
o clock on Sunday evening, and said he had
LETT Zimmerman's in company with Lowering
the evening previous to hunt roots. 1t was
supposed that Lowering, If in the country,
at the house OF Peter Warner, in the Shade
Gap of the Shade NJ fountain, about four miles
north of Allisterville. About eight O'Clock
a party of men, armed to the teeth, proceed
ed to the house Of Warner, which they mme-
diately surrounded. On inqniring of Warner
whether Lowering was In the house, he said he
about somewhere. Some of them entered
che house and after searching, found Lowering
crouched under the bed. a loaded pistol was
found in his possession.
After the capture of lowering Howard turn
ed States evidence against him, and related
substantially the above facts. The little girl
who was at Aucker's at the time the deed was
committed, was brought into the office of the
Justice where some twenty five persons were
congregated, and she at once recognized Low
ering as the man who had shot her grandfath-
er. although she swore he had whiskers when
he committed the act. Warner then swore
that he had shaved Lowering on Sunday NOR
ming. Both Lowering and Howard were then
remanded to Jail to answer to the charge of
murder.