The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-04-18
Tho Reyerlx Tr.xeSx.

tempt to take the lives of his own father,
mother, and also . second sister, removed
from this city to that part of Beverly
known as Monserat, situated about three
place, in the year 1857. He bad previously
been in the brokerage business here; but
the conduct of some members Of his family
becoming fntOlerably and uncontrolably
bad, the parents resolved that they should
no longer remain where influences of q de-
praving character might continue to ope-
rate upon them, and accordingly located in
the quiet and respectable town where the
recent revolving chapter in the annals of
crime has just been enacted by the second
of Mr., Stackpofe's two sons. At the time
OF the removal alluded to, the senior Stack
pole was estimated to have been worth
$1,000 or $l2, 1000, though it has since then
been reduced somewhat by the misconduct
of these same sons. The family consisted
of the father and mother IA couple about
30 years of age), son, Samuel L. Stack
pole, Is years of age, at present q soldier in
Sth regiment; a daughter, Mary, 16 years
an adopted daughter, Caroline, years; and
the son, Charles L.. Stackpole, who is now
q years of age. Their parents, since their
residence at Beverly, though not intimately
known there, have been worthy members
OF society, and were generally esteemed as
such. Mr.. s. is very respectfully connected
in this City. But it is remarked that the
sons have from early years manifested
tendencies to improper conduct in various
ways, and have repeatedly been involved
in trouble in the nature OF prosecutions for
sundry violations of the law, &c.
The delinquencies Of the younger boy
have finally eliminated in what appears
to be, without extenuation, q criminal act
almost unparalleled in the records of hui
man depravity.
The first positive indication that attempts
1 vunr hnivD 70
family is Believed to have appeared on FRI
day, March q, on which day the family
had soup for dinner, the eating of which
made them all sick. Charles, the son, ate
sparingly of the soup, and said he was I'M
well atterward; and the same soup being
warmed and put on the dinner-table on
Sunday, they all partook heartily except
him, he saying that the soup had made him
sick once and he would eat no more of it,
Some of the soup was subsequently analy-
sed by DR.. Swasey, Of Beverly, and arsenic
was found present in large quantities.
The family were taken very i'll after their
meal on, Sunday, and on the following
preston being that both the daughters were
dying. The messenger dispatched for the
doctor was the son Charles, who, instead of
procuring a horse 1.-THE physician resided
| several miles away set out on foot, and
| having reached a shoemaker's shop short
IFOlui IitLueT ., WeuL III anu SaU
down, engaging uncOncernedly in CONVEX
| sation on frivolous topics and after an alb
sence from home of an hour or more, re-
turned, telling the agonized family that
| the doctor would soon be in attendance. "A
long interval elapsing, however, and the
physician not making his appearance, an
other person was sent for him. and by this
ing the only intimation received by him
| that his services were required,
| The daughter Caroline died, haying en-
dured great suffering, at about IL O'Clock
on the following Wednesday night, and the
body was duly entom bed. THE other MEM
beIs Of the family gradually recovered
| from their illness, until Tuesday Of the
present week, when having sent Charles
to procure some oatmeal, they had some
cakes for supper, which being eaten, pro-
duced sickness exactly similar to that from
which they were then in process Of recov-
cry. Doctors Swasey and Torrey of Bev-
erly were summoned to attend then, land it
becoming apparent there was just ground
for suspicion that all was not right, a con-
ference was had with the town authorities
| relative to the subject, and by advice COro-
ner Eben. Walton, the body Of the dead
child was eXhumed, and an examination
thereof was had by Doctors Torrey, Swa-
| Sey and Sanborn, the stomach with it's
! contents, being sent to this city for anal
| ysis.
Evidence accumuiating, meanwhile, I'M
der the judicious system of investigation
pursued by the efficient Chief Of Police of
the town of Beverly, John J. Dennis, sus-
piciOn came to rest so firmly upon the son
Charles l.. Stackpole, that on Tuesday af-
ternoon a complaint, signed by John Mea-
com. Chairman OF the Board OF Selectmen,
was lodged with James Hill, a Trial JUS
tice for the County of Essex, and a warrant
was thereupon issued for the apprehension
of the supposed murderer. The arrest was
made at the shoemaker's shop Of Mr.. Sam
by Officer Israel Trask, 9Th. Stack pole was
told by the officer that he must go with him.
He inquired what for, and on being told
that he was charged with murder, said =
By G., they've got q " big thing on ME.
| ! wonder what they'll get up next" He
wanted to get his coat, and very soon ex-
pressed his regret at being compelled to
pecting to watch that night. He alluded to
the death Of his young sister, and said he
always loved her, denying his guilt and
shedding tears, evidently at the recollect-
! ion OF her suffering. i.
4 Stackpole was arraigned before Mr.. JUS
| tice Hill, and was then committed to Salem
] Jail to- await an examination on Tuesday
next at 10 o'clock a. M, at the Town Hall,
| Beverly. Since his committal to prison he
has at times manifested signs of being deep
ly affected, but for the most part has been
stolid and Indifferent. He has once, how
ever, particularly requested that all knowl-
edge OF his arrest and confinement may be
kept from his mother and sister; but has
also desired that this information might be
conveyed to his father, with the request
that the services OF counsel should be pro-
cured for his defense. Through the kind
ness of John Dixey, jailor ut Salem, our re-
porter was allowed an opportunity to see
the prisoner on Wednesday evening in his
cell. His appearance was that of a some
what ''hard'' young man, rather short in
stature, weighing about one hundred and
I fifty pounds, dark complexion and no
beard. His manner was careless, and tho
evidently intended by nature for = capable
| and active citizen, we should judge from in
dications that all this capacity and activity
had long ago ceased to promise anything
but results disastrous alike to the morals
and welfare of society. IT.
There is reason to believe Stackpole has
for weeks, aud perhaps longer, been per-
sistently harboring scheme or intention
of poisoning, or otherwise getting rid OF his
father and the rest Of the family, in order,
Ns..l~