The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-09-16
NEW SERIES-NO. 563
while trying to run away with his illgotten

while trying to run away with his illgotten
spoils:
There is no longer any doubt that VIM.
W. Treadwen was murdered on the night
of July 4, and every circumstance points
to John Oowell, the young man who es-
capped with him, as the murderer. On the
4th of July, towards noon, two men exact
ly answering the description of Cowell and
Treadwell, called at the house of Mrs.
Eastman, living between Napoleon and
Wauseon, about forty mites directly south
of this city, in Ohio, and asked for some
thing to eat, which was given them. On
the 18th of July, just two weeks after, q
man, in passing through some woods,
about two miles and half from Mrs. East
mans house, was attracted by the stencil
of some remains, and was startled at find
ing them evidently those of human be-
ing.
They were entirely decomposed, and
portions of the flesh had been picked or
gnawed off by beasts or birds, the head
being detached from the body and lying
some distance from it. The man immedi-
ately notified the coroner, who proceeded
the next morning to the spot, when it was
found that during the night an arm had
been separated from the body. doubtless
by some beast. The remains were care
fully examined, and two holes found in the
right temple, about an inch apart, and an
other in the back part of the head. In
the pockets of the vest and pants were
found q tooth-pick, pen-knife, part of
watch, guard and the key, three false front
teeth for the upper Jaw on a gold plate,
small miniature likeness of man, three
pieces of silver money, a compass, and
some smaller articles. Pieces of the pants
and vest were cut off, and the remains
were gathered up in the clothes and buried,
a verdict being rendered of "killed by
some person unknown"
Some weeks since, lady living within
two miles of Hester, Treadwells father
in-law, went to visit friend in the imme-
date vicinity of this unknown murder,
and was informed of all the particulars,
which were current topic of conversation
in that region. Last Saturday she re-
turned home, and on Sunday she was mar
rating the circumstances in the presence
of several persons, among whom was q
gentleman well acquainted with Treadwell
and who was aware of the fact that he
had three false front upper teeth, and was
struck with the fact that Just such teeth
were found in the pocket of the murdered
man.
On Monday morning, Mr.. Hester, his
wife, and Mrs. Treadwell started for Ma
poleon, and at Nonroeville notified the
sheriff of the facts and suspicious, when
he was informed that John Oowell, Tread
wells companion, had been lurking in the
vicinity of bis fathers, and that he had
plenty of money and gold watch. Sheriff
Worthington Immediately took measures
to secure Cowell. He was taken to Jail
and an order for his clothes procured for
him, when the Sheriff immediately went
to his fathers residence. He was not at
home, but bis mother gave up everything,
including coat which Treadwell wore
away from Jail, and nearly 5000 in money,
among which was 500 bill on an East
ern bank.
It was subsequently asoertained that
Cowell had given his father five 800 bills
on the same bank, which he had deposited.
1t is also known that he had spent money
pretty freely with bad associates. he had
shown the gold watch repeatedly, but it is
supposed he got rid of it at Cleveland. as
it cannot be found.
All the articles found upon the remains
of Treadwell were identified, including the
likeness which Treadwell was known to
have with him. The cloth of the pants
and vest was recognized by Mr.. Hester,
who bought it in New York, and had a
full suit made at home and presented to
Treadwell. The Identification was clear
and positive, and there can be no doubt as
to the fact that tho remains so found, torn
by bird and beast, were those of VIM. W.
Treadwell.
The circumstances we have narrated
point unerringly to the guilty author of
the terrible deed, and further investigation
will probably lead to still greater light
upon it.
And so ends the celebrated Treadwell
case. And what an end! Swindling. in
cold blood, scores of poor and unsuspeot-
ing men and women, many of them of
their hard earnings and savings of years,
be escapes, is arrested, refuses to disgorge
his wickedly gotten gains, save at price
that should leave in his possession the
greater halt. is tried and convicted, and.
pending his sentence, again escapes and
successfully eludes pursuit It is not al-
ways that Divine Justice marches 80 swift
and plainly to its mark. Few more Pa.
markable cases than this are found record.
ed in the history of crime.
"A lova1 woman has ur;t4 ~,
paper on the crisis, in which she protests
against the killing of all the men. She says:
81 do not believe in fighting for the ooun-