Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1864-12-30
nEspERATF ATTEMPT 10 MURDER.

The Ravenna Democrat contains detailed
account Of the attempted murder OF Mr. Z. >
Prentiss, of that place, by man named FlOwf
ers. On Friday night Flower was in the store
of Mr. Prentiss, aud heard him tell bis clerk |
that in the morning he must deposit the money
in the bank. After Mr.. Prentiss left the store
in the evening, Flower asked the clerk to
change for him $l00 bill, but the clerk de-
clined 10 do it, aud told him TO call in the
morning, when Mr. Preutiss would probably
accommodate him. Flower seemed satisfied
aud left. In the5Dorning, after breakfast, ne
vent over to the store. Mr.. Prentiss was en-
gaqedsin shoveliug the snew and ice off the
sidewalk Flower made the same Irequest as
he did the night before, to which Mr.. Prentiss
assented, and they passed into the store Mr.
Prentiss unlocked the safe, took sut the mon
ey, and proceeded 10 count out the change for
il.e bill, aud mad COUNTED out probably SOC
when Fowler struck him two blows on the
back Of the head, and seiziug him by the feet
dragged him through the trap door into the
cellar. After be had 90, his victim into the
cellar, probably finding that the blows with
| she Ioker had nof fully accomplished the pur-
pose he took loose stone from the wall and
bea his head. From the Democrats ac-
count we learn that Flower, who is p years
old, is a quiet, gentle appearing man. not
having the appearance OF murderer'-
He was born in Bloomfield, Trumbull Co,
where his widowed mother lives. For time
he was clerk in the store OF Parks & Wenz.
in Warren next served neatly year Ia ne
10Th Ohio Regiment and was discharged lor
physical disability. He then set up business
as a merchant in Bloomfield, failed, and be-
came salesman in d New York straw goods
house, besides attempting commission bHsl-
ness in petroleum oils.
| He became acquainted with young man
named Warner, a clerk in ClewelI's store in
Raveuna, in which the attemp at murder was
| committed. Flower came 10 Ravenna on Ihe
| 29th of November, and made his headquar-
tiers at Clewells store, protesting 10 be wait
| inr for orders He thus became acquainted
with all the ways of the establishment, and
| knew the amount Of money kept on hand.-
One night key to the store Was missed, and
to prevent accidents the safe key was put IN
another hiding place During the night the
store was entered by unlocking the door, but
| the thief could not find the safe key. The
missing door key was fopnd in Flowers pock-
/ ct when he was arrested. 9n the evening pre-
ceding the attempted murder he;was at CleWeliH
a usual, said he going to ST. Louis 10
the morning, and wanted 10 see Warner be-
fore leaving He stayed until after the cash
was counted. Next morning he left the Col
| Inns House as il to take the Cleveland train,
but went to CIewell's store and committed the
crime described.
| The Democrat says:
The motive for the double crime was un-
doubted desperate want of money. Flowers
was never seea TO have any amount of money
while in town-aothing beyond a few pieces
of postal currency were ever seen in his pos
session at - time He had been at the hotel
from the 29th of November to the 18th of
December without making any payment OF
his board. He had Been known to ask for
trust for the trifing matter of couple OF
games of billiards. He showed no money to
Preutiss, but crept behind him and struck
him for his life. Not dime OF money was
found about his person wheR arrested. His
clothes we're good aud new, of which he had
two suits throughout. On these items OF per-
sopal effects he could have raised some money,
but he chose to obtain it by criminal means
OF the most atrocious and horrible nature
His intimacy at the store gave him all needed
opportunity to provide for egress in case OF
emergency, and the facility with which that
was effected, shows that the premises had been
inspected, aud probably on the Monday night
alluded to.
Flowers story is that he went to the store
in the morning and inquired il Mr.. Prentiss
could change him 800 bill. Two men were
present, one of whom bad black mustaohe.
These men knocked both him and Prentiss
down. He was gagged and put where he
was found and robbed of his money, amount
ing to one $lOO bill, two $50 bills, and one
$40 bill This is all be knew from the time
he was knocked down in the, store until be was
found and taken TO Jail.