The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-11-13
A Fearful Tragedy in Wayne
County, Ohio.

The Wayne County Democrat furnishes
the particulars of dreadful tragedy in
Clinton township, on the goth instant,
wherein man named ISAAC WILER at
tempted tomurder his whole family, and
succeeded so far as to iDtiict injuries on
the person of his wife.
Wiler is farmer. probably forty five years
of age and is worth about thirty thousand
dollars His wife is daughter OF Jacob Keis
ter. and from her was derived considerable OF
his property They lived two miles northeast
of Shreve and ten miles from Wooster. Here
tOfOre he has borne Il good character was
sober man. and always conducted business well.
Some, however. during the last three years,
thought they observed evidences of insanity in
his behavior, but not enough to mark it as de-
rangement.
On the night of the crime. the children at
home, consisting of two a boy aged sixteen,
and q girl of fourteen years had retired to
their rooms up stairs as usual observing moth
ing in the conduct of their father to excite
suspicious that anything evil would t. Ike place.
They had been in bed awhile, when, about
eleven o'clock they were aroused by the dis
charge of a gun in the room below. occupied
by their father and mother Alarmed at the
unusual sound. without putting on their gar
ments, they FASTENED down stairs and into the
room A horrible sight met their eyes. The
mOther lay extended ON the floor weltering in
her blCo g. and insensible having just been de-
liberately shot by the husband and father, who,
after shooting his wife, had str elk her with
the gun until it broke to pieces in his hands,
and wi en- he children appeared, was fiendishly
stabbng the PROSTATE body with large butch
er knife
The boy, afrighted at the horribl; spectacle,
sprang to the do r to break from the house,
but found that it resisted hi utmost efforts, it
being stened in an unusual manner. lie then
ran up stairs. seized clothes and jumped from
a second story window, and ran off TO alarm
the neighbOrS. dressing as he went. The girl
rushed into the room. scarcely realizing what
she saw crying, oh! fither, what have you
done!' and threw herself upon the body of
her mother. Leav g of his murderOus work,
the only reply he made was, when l have al
tended 10 Jake (his sony will give you the
same fate" He then, with the bloody knife
and broken gun in his hand, started up stairs
in pursuit Of the boy. Unsuccessful in his
search, he returned, went out of doors and
examined the yad for him, then came in the
house and walked the floor of the room in
which his wife lay, and then again went up
stairs to renew his search. At th's juncture
the neiyhbors came. Merely glanclng at the
sight before them they sought the author OF it
to secure him before he escaped. They found
Wiler up stairs in his sons room. He endeav-
Ored to clOse the door against them, but in so
doing his fingers were caught and were
pounded and much bruised until he fOrbore
resistance and gave them entrance They then
seized him. when he threw himself down on
the floor and asked the men 10 kill him. He
gave no reason why he wanted to kill his fam
lily but remained silent. acting calmly, under
all the cushions put 10 him.
Upon t,.er entrance into the house the neigh
bOrs found the daughter u"hurt weeping BIT
terly and endeavoring as much as was III her
power to staunch the fearful wounds OF her
mother. The appearance OF the room indicated
that struggle had taken place between the
man and his victim as the furniture WAS t.isar-
ranged and some Of the articles covered with
blood.
Mrs. Wiler was found 10 be still alive, but
unconscious. She was instantly cared for and
medical aid called. The contents OF the gun
had taken effect in her arm, shoulder an neck;
after which she had been struck ON the side,
back and head with the gun aud WAS then stab
bed in The neck and side with the knife. The
wounds are still severe, aud are pronounced
fatal by the physicians. CIlii this time she has
remained insensible. and no hopes are enter
tanned of her recovery.
Wiler was brought to Wooster the same
night, by constable Underhill, and lodged in
jail. a preliminary trial was held before j. II.
Downing, Esq, next day, and the prisoner was
bound over 10 court in bonds OF $4,000 He is
now in Jail awaiting trial